Gradually I accepted my orientation and began identifying myself as a
lesbian. But then it seemed to me that it was impossible to find a mate for myself. I remember looking at people and thinking all the time: "I wonder if they are part of the community or not?"
Then I met a girl from the community, she studied with me at the same department. Through someone I found her phone number, began writing secret sms. She agreed to the meeting and told about "Labrys". I remember the first time I was going to the community center of the organization. I felt uncomfortable, but at the same time there was a feeling of inner protest and excitement of what I was doing. In 2008 there was not so much information about LGBT in the Internet, and "Labrys" had a great film collection and a library. I came, said that I wanted to take the film, chose
"Gia", and quickly left.
Later in summer I was in a special camp for lesbian and
bisexual women. They talked about rights, personal acceptance, leadership and activism. The camp inspired me, it was after this trip that I began to volunteer at Labrys events. I wanted to help this organization in everything. It has become a part of my life.
Since 2011 I began applying for vacancies at Labrys. When I was not taken for the first time, I was terribly offended. Then I tried for the second time and they didn't take me again, but they invited me without competition for the position of an outreach worker - a person who becomes a bridge between the organization and the people who still don't know about it. This is a dangerous profession, it was important to monitor the security. You can always accidentally meet a
homophobic-minded people. Then they can beat you or start to pursue.