In the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syrian refugees like René Shevan share their experiences of trauma, resilience, and hope. René recounts his harrowing ordeal of being raped in prison and the emotional liberation he feels now that the ‘republic of fear’ is gone. Yet, he remains cautious about the future for LGBTQ+ individuals in Syria. Nujeen, a disabled Kurdish girl who journeyed to Europe, reflects on the significance of Assad’s fall as a symbol of hope, even as she navigates her new life in Germany amidst lingering memories of conflict.