I barely survived severe religious-based and cultural homophobia, bullying, harassment and physical violence and almost dropped out of school many times. Thanks to the support and determination of my parents, I was able to complete my schooling and eventually obtain my UK based accounting designation. I did not know what the word "gay" really meant even though I was called it many times. When I immigrated to Canada in 1998, I thought I was starting a new adventure where the sky was the limit but I quickly learned that the colour of my skin, accent, hard earned foreign qualifications, sexuality, non-conformity and social awkwardness made me a target for further discrimination, marginalization, diminishment, exclusion and isolation. I was very lucky to find an amazing community of support that rallied around me to help me stay the course, obtain my Canadian qualifications and pursue a life that is meaningful, authentic and more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. Today, I am continuing to pursue my wildest dreams in my personal life, my career and my volunteer work. There are days when my traumatic past revisits me in very painful and debilitating ways but I am able to continue due to my amazing community of support and the bold vision I hold for myself and those I care so much for. I have learned that many, if not, most of us have similar experiences with perhaps different contexts but I hope that my story will encourage you to not give up and continue to bring the fullness of who you are to everything you do everyday.