As a lesbian growing up in Poland, Angie encoutered much discrimination. When studying at a Polish university, she was badly bullied by the management team, who searched her room and threatened her family when they discovered that she was gay.
Angie was lucky to have the support of her sister who helped her move home and leave her studies when it all got too much. Her sister also encouraged her to apply to university in Edinburgh, where she resumed her studies in 2005.
Angie had always heard great things about Scotland and during her ten years in Edinburgh has found the country to be a largely accepting and hopeful place.
Chosing to remain in Edinburgh after graduating, Angie has since held a number of different jobs including hairdresser, cleaner and now Casework Officer for the National Records of Scotand. Angie’s passion in life is DJing, which takes up a lot of her spare time. She said:
“Scotland is a place where I feel comfortable being myself.”
This is particualrly important for Angie as she is in a civil partnership with a woman – something that is not yet legally recognised in her home country.
“I went to her hairdressing salon and that was enough for us to fall in love at first sight! It makes me so happy that we can live here in Scotland together as a couple.”