By Guangke Dai, Communications Officer
When Chiara landed in Vancouver in January 2024, she let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. As a transgender newcomer, it was the first time in a long time she felt safe.
“I feel like a person here,” she said. “Like a human.”
At just 24 years old, Chiara made the life-altering decision to leave Mexico—a country she loves but where being transgender often means living in fear. As she began her transition, she knew staying meant constantly looking over her shoulder. “People think of Mexico and say, ‘Oh, margaritas! Spicy food! Tequila!’ and I love those things, too. But my experience wasn’t just that. It was waking up every day knowing I wasn’t safe.”
According to Statista, Mexico ranked as the second most dangerous country in the world for transgender individuals in 2023, with 52 reported murders, following Brazil, which had the highest number of cases that year.
Despite the challenges, Chiara had dreams: to work in fashion, to build a life where she felt valued, and to continue her education. Vancouver, with its reputation for inclusivity, felt like the right place to start over.
A new beginning
Adjusting to a new country wasn’t easy, but Chiara found her way. She first stayed with a friend before moving into a shared home with five other roommates from diverse backgrounds. The experience, she said, was something she had always dreamed of. “I always wanted to live with people from different cultures. My house was full of diversity—LGBTQ+, Asian, Latinx—it was amazing,” she said.
One of her biggest priorities was improving her English. Though she had studied the language in school, she admitted that formal education didn’t help much. Instead, she took a different approach: “I never took classes here because I couldn’t afford them. I learned by listening to music, watching movies, and following a blogger I love,” she said. “At first, I didn’t understand anything, but now, when I listen, I can finally understand. It’s crazy!”
Her determination paid off. Within a year, she was holding full conversations, confidently navigating life in her new home. But more than just language, what truly struck her was how easily people accepted her identity.
“Here, if I say my name is Chiara, people say, ‘Okay, Chiara.’ If I say my pronouns are she/her, they just accept it. No questions. No arguments. Just respect.”
For the first time in her life, she didn’t have to justify who she was. As a transgender newcomer in Canada, that acceptance changed everything.
Finding community and support
Chiara speaks with deep gratitude about the organizations that helped her settle, particularly MOSAIC and Rainbow Refugee. She first learned about MOSAIC through friends at Rainbow Refugee and quickly found the support she needed.
“Suzy from MOSAIC I Belong program was like a big sister,” she said. “I had a list of things I needed help with, and she always found a way. In 15 minutes, she’d be on the phone, fixing everything. It was amazing.”
These connections gave her stability in ways she hadn’t expected. The LGBTQ+ community in Vancouver welcomed her with open arms, offering a sense of safety she had never known. “I know if I ever have a problem, I can call someone and get help,” she said. “That means everything.”
For many, moving to a new country is a logistical challenge, but for a transgender newcomer, it can also mean rediscovering what it feels like to live without fear.
Dreaming of the future
Now settled, Chiara is focused on what’s next. She continues to work in fashion while considering new opportunities, including furthering her education. She also dreams of adopting a dog—a source of comfort and companionship she misses deeply.
Though she still struggles with homesickness, the thought of returning to Mexico fills her with anxiety. “Sometimes I have nightmares that I’m back at the airport in Mexico,” she admitted. “It feels so real, and I wake up panicked.”
Chiara doesn’t see herself as a symbol of resilience or courage—she’s just living the life she always should have had. For her, starting over in Vancouver wasn’t about reinventing herself. It was about finally existing without fear. Without hesitation. Without having to explain why she deserves to take up space.
She doesn’t know exactly where life will take her next, but for the first time, she gets to decide. And that, more than anything, is what makes Vancouver home.
