MEET MOUD: FROM FINDING SAFETY TO CREATING IT 

Thank for sitting down and sharing story with us today. To get started, introduce yourself:

I am Moud Goba, a proud Black lesbian woman, a refugee from Zimbabwe now based in the UK, National Director at Micro Rainbow, the Chair of the Board of Trustees at UK Black Pride, a mum, and a passionate advocate for justice, especially for LGBTQI people, women, and migrants.
 

What an introduction. Being able to celebrate all these different parts of who you are feels so powerful – especially knowing that a big part of your identity had to be hidden earlier in  your journey. Was there a turning point where you felt able to show up as your full self?

Yes, there were probably two turning points!.

 For the first part of my life in Zimbabwe, a country that criminalises same sex relationships, knowing who I was and being who I was, was so difficult. I was hiding my sexuality in fear of my safety, then when I had to flee my home country to seek asylum here in the UK, I had to restart myself in a country I didn’t know.
 
But when I connected with UK Black Pride, it was such a turning point. I was able to find queer, Black communities and spaces where I was fully seen and heard in all of my intersecting identities for the first time. In this space I could be a black, lesbian woman without hiding any part of myself.

The second turning point was when I started using my own experiences to support others at Micro Rainbow. It gave me real strength, purpose, and pride in who I am.

That’s such an inspiring shift - turning your own journey into a source of strength for others. Can you tell us more about Micro Rainbow, and what inspired you to get involved?

At Micro Rainbow, we support homeless LGBTQI people seeking asylum and refugees who’ve had to seek safety because of their identity. The work we do is not easy, we do it because it is needed. We offer safe homes, create space for community through social activities, and help people build the practical skills and confidence to get into work so they can move forward with their lives.

I do this work because I have lived it. I know what it means to be in a new country, experiencing homelessness, being isolated, being the ‘other’ and struggling to settle. I also know what it is like to go through a very difficult asylum process that can be dehumanising. So I want to support people rebuilding their lives to find safe housing and communities where they belong, can thrive and achiev their full potential once they become refugees.
 

What’s one thing you’ve learnt from your advocacy and activism work that you wish more people knew? 

That LGBTQI people seeking asylum, refugees and migrants are some of the most resilient, powerful people you will ever meet. The people we support are not just “asylum seekers”, “refugees” or “victims”, they are survivors, leaders, dreamers, and just like you and me. Their stories are not just about trauma, but also about survival, strength, and love.

They are powerful beyond words, and if the world could see that, maybe it would stop dehumanising them.

Knowing this, how can we all show up in solidarity - not just for Pride, but every day - to help LGBTQ+ people bring their whole selves to the world?

Be intentional. While we can show up for Pride, it is important to support our communities beyond the rainbow flags. Challenge discrimination, listen to lived experiences, support LGBTQI organisations doing the work, and create spaces where people feel safe, seen and included. Visibility is powerful, but real change happens, through everyday acts of solidarity, kindness and committed allyship.

What a takeaway to end on. Thank you, Moud.