The very first evening I was transferred to Galway, I knew I wouldn’t be alone. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I saw Sylva leaning on the reception desk talking to an administrator. She looked at me with suspicion and suddenly beamed, opened her arms and hugged me tightly. We had already met. The National LGBT Federation (NXF) had organised workshops to conduct a study of LGBT+ migrants - this is where Sylva and I got to know each other.
“Will you live here now? Congratulations!” Sylva said smiling.