The price of being ME
A small tattoo on her hand is the only visible connection that transgender refugee Nazek Alexander has to her past life in Saudi Arabia. Written in her native Arabic language, the tattoo reads, “Always be yourself”.
Born a male in the conservative Muslim nation, and later defying her country’s strict laws by becoming a trans woman, Nazek’s fight for acceptance was met with persecution, harsh judgment and the constant threat of death.
Five years ago, the 37-year-old escaped Saudi Arabia and fled to New Zealand as an asylum seeker after a court sentenced her to two years in prison and 200 lashings as punishment for living a double life. By day, she lived as a man, a husband, a father of two and a captain in the Saudi Arabian police force. At night, she was secretly wearing make-up and dressing as a woman.
Today, New Zealand is Nazek’s home, a place where she can fully embrace her new life as a trans woman. She got
