
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Zarith speaks to Rich Clarke about surviving violence, secrecy, and state-sanctioned homophobia... and the long road to finding safety in the UK.
Raised in South East Asia, Zarith always knew he was different. But silence felt like the only option in a country where being gay was illegal and the AIDS crisis fuelled fear and stigma. At his elite Islamic boarding school, he was outed, assaulted, and blackmailed by fellow students. Even then, he hid the truth to protect himself and his family.
Years later, as a journalist, he exposed political corruption, putting himself in even greater danger. After a close friend and fellow gay journalist was kidnapped and killed, Zarith fled. He now calls the UK home, having rebuilt his life through the asylum system.... and finally, lives freely.
📱 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @alwaysmepodcast
💬 To share your story, email: [email protected]
SUPPORT SERVICES
LGBTQ+ Support
Switchboard – LGBTQ+ Helpline
• A confidential helpline for LGBTQ+ people to talk about sexuality, gender identity, and more.
• Phone: 0800 0119 100
• Website: switchboard.lgbt
Stonewall
• Offers support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
• Website: stonewall.org.uk
Open Table Network
• Phone: 07501753618
• Website: opentable.lgbt
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Samaritans
• For anyone in distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
• Phone: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
• Website: samaritans.org
Mind
• Provides advice and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
• Phone: 0300 123 3393
• Website: mind.org.uk
PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide
• Support for people under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, and for those concerned about someone else.
• Phone: 0800 068 41 41
• Website: papyrus-uk.org
Shout
• A free, confidential mental health text support service.
• Text: SHOUT to 85258 (24/7, free text service)
• Website: giveusashout.org
Zarith speaks to Rich Clarke about surviving violence, secrecy, and state-sanctioned homophobia... and the long road to finding safety in the UK.
Raised in South East Asia, Zarith always knew he was different. But silence felt like the only option in a country where being gay was illegal and the AIDS crisis fuelled fear and stigma. At his elite Islamic boarding school, he was outed, assaulted, and blackmailed by fellow students. Even then, he hid the truth to protect himself and his family.
Years later, as a journalist, he exposed political corruption, putting himself in even greater danger. After a close friend and fellow gay journalist was kidnapped and killed, Zarith fled. He now calls the UK home, having rebuilt his life through the asylum system.... and finally, lives freely.
📱 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @alwaysmepodcast
💬 To share your story, email: [email protected]
SUPPORT SERVICES
LGBTQ+ Support
Switchboard – LGBTQ+ Helpline
• A confidential helpline for LGBTQ+ people to talk about sexuality, gender identity, and more.
• Phone: 0800 0119 100
• Website: switchboard.lgbt
Stonewall
• Offers support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
• Website: stonewall.org.uk
Open Table Network
• Phone: 07501753618
• Website: opentable.lgbt
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Samaritans
• For anyone in distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
• Phone: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
• Website: samaritans.org
Mind
• Provides advice and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
• Phone: 0300 123 3393
• Website: mind.org.uk
PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide
• Support for people under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, and for those concerned about someone else.
• Phone: 0800 068 41 41
• Website: papyrus-uk.org
Shout
• A free, confidential mental health text support service.
• Text: SHOUT to 85258 (24/7, free text service)
• Website: giveusashout.org