My family were shocked and very angry when they found out I was gay. They were violent towards me and called me names. My mother tried to calm things but couldn’t. I felt guilty that I had caused them pain and let them down. They made me feel as if I owed them. They really believed that if I married who they wanted, I would stop being gay.
FARHAN IS NOW 24
Farhan thought he could make things better by doing as his family wished. He travelled with them to the Middle East, where he was forced into a marriage. On his return to the UK, Farhan’s father would not let him go out without a family member or talk to his friends. His father threatened to kill him if he ever heard anything about Farhan being gay again.
Farhan ran away and later tried to commit suicide. Through support, Farhan has moved away from his hometown and is now going to university.