LGBTQ Immigrants Share Their Moving Stories in This Empowering Photo Series

In this current political climate, the voices of immigrants and the LGBTQ community are more important than ever to showcase. Immigration Equality, the nation's leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, has teamed up with award-winning photographer Steven Laxton and NYC’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center to present Free to Be Me, a photography and essay exhibit celebrating trans and queer asylum recipients building new lives in the US.

PRIDE is thrilled to share The Center's exhibit with you.

It is a crime to be LGBTQ in more than 80 countries around the world. Every day, LGBTQ people flee in search of a place where they can live freely and safely. Many find refuge in the United States.

"They have overcome horrific adversity, and truly add so much to our communities," said photographer, and fellow immigrant, Steven Laxton. "I hope that through my photography more people will be able to learn about and appreciate LGBTQ immigrants and their contributions to our nation."

These a few of the exhibit's powerful stories.

Photos: Steven Laxton