Somy Ali Uses Pride Month to Highlight the Struggles and Resilience of LGBTQ+ Survivors
As Pride Month shines a spotlight on the struggles, achievements, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, former actress and humanitarian Somy Ali is using the occasion to draw attention to a side of the conversation that often goes unheard — the experiences of LGBTQ+ survivors of abuse and violence.
Now based in the United States, Somy Ali has spent years running No More Tears, the non-profit organization she founded to help victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and abuse. Through her work, she has encountered countless stories of survival, including many involving members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Somy Ali Reflects on Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors Through No More Tears
Reflecting on her experience, Somy Ali says some of the most heartbreaking cases have involved individuals who were rejected by the very people who were supposed to protect them. “Over the years, we have worked with several survivors from the LGBTQ+IA community who came to us after facing extreme violence, rejection, and abuse. Many of them were thrown out of their homes by their own families, disowned, or subjected to physical and emotional abuse because of their identity. Some were even trafficked or forced into situations where they had no safety net,” she says.
According to Somy Ali, the mission of No More Tears has always been to look beyond labels and focus on the person seeking help. “At No More Tears, we don’t see labels first — we see a human being in pain who needs safety, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their life. Our work with LGBTQ+IA survivors has taught me that the pain of rejection by one’s own family cuts deeper than almost anything else.”
Pride Month Is About More Than Celebration, Says Somy Ali
While Pride Month is often associated with celebrations and visibility, Somy Ali believes it should also be a time for reflection. “For me, Pride Month is not just about celebration. It is also about remembrance and accountability. It reminds us that many people still live in fear — fear of being themselves, fear of losing their families, fear of violence,” she says.
Somy Ali adds that true progress can only be measured when people are able to live freely without fear of discrimination or harm. “This month should not only be about rainbow flags and parades. It should also be about asking ourselves: Are we truly creating safe spaces for everyone, or are we still turning away from those who don’t fit into our idea of ‘normal’? Real pride, for me, is when every person can live without fear of abuse or abandonment.”
Among the many cases she has handled over the years, one particular story continues to stay with her. “A young man from a traditional Punjabi family reached out to us in desperation. His own family had found out he was gay and had decided to honour-kill him. They were planning to literally behead him,” Somy Ali recalls.
The severity of the situation prompted immediate action. “When I heard this, I couldn’t sleep. I immediately arranged for him to get on a flight to Miami. He arrived here with nothing but fear and trauma.”
Years later, the outcome remains one of her most meaningful victories. “Today, that same young man is married to his partner, living safely, thriving, and most importantly — he is happy and free. Every time I think of him, I am reminded why this work matters. One decision, one flight, one act of protection can save a life.”
No More Tears Continues Its Mission of Compassion Without Judgment
Through No More Tears, Somy Ali and her team continue to provide emergency shelter, legal assistance, medical support, and rehabilitation services to survivors from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. “We support them the same way we support every survivor who comes to us — with safety, respect, and without judgment. Most importantly, we listen without trying to ‘fix’ who they are. Our job is to help them heal from the abuse they have suffered, not to question their identity.”
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