Lucy Lu, born Shaun Lyn, hails from a quiet rural Jamaican town. Like many Jamaican children, she had a much closer relationship with her mom than with her dad. This close relationship proved key when she would be bullied at school, then in her own words,” come home to my father not loving me the way that he should, because he is homophobic, and my other family members being ashamed to say that they are related to me.” It was this constant struggle and hurt that shaped her life in Jamaica.

Lucy was a model for one of the island’s top modeling agencies and a creative dancer. Both careers brought her the sense of freedom and acceptance that she so desperately sought in her private life. As she puts it, “It was difficult being on stage, but I was strong for persons who couldn’t be strong for themselves even though I was just as broken down and weak on the inside.” This was a common thread throughout her community outreach. Lucy would volunteer at children’s homes and work within the LGBTQ community as an HIV peer counselor and educator.

Lucy has now received her work permit and is eager to start her new life in the U.S. She relies heavily on her faith in the grace of God as she begins to live her life for herself.