{"id":31420,"date":"2025-12-11T07:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/?p=31420"},"modified":"2025-12-11T09:11:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T15:11:12","slug":"chicago-refugiados-inmigracion-lebanon-dubai-ayya-design-haus-as-told-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2025\/12\/11\/chicago-refugee-immigration-lebanon-dubai-ayya-design-haus-as-told-to\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00f3mo un Inmigrante Liban\u00e9s, Queer Encontr\u00f3 Su Hogar"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fws_69dec8b195c91\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<p><b><i>Esta historia ha contado con el apoyo de la campa\u00f1a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/braveofus\/\">Brave of Us<\/a> .\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p>El liban\u00e9s Toufic Alayyash aterriz\u00f3 en Chicago con dos cosas: sus maletas y esperanza.<\/p>\n<p>En marzo de 2020, lleg\u00f3 a la ciudad para visitar a su hermana y decidir su pr\u00f3ximo paso.<\/p>\n<p>Vivir en Beirut, la capital del L\u00edbano, y luego en Dubai, donde ser gay pod\u00eda significar la encarcelaci\u00f3n, le hab\u00eda agotado.<\/p>\n<p>Entonces lleg\u00f3 la pandemia. Lo que iba a ser una visita breve se convirti\u00f3 en estancia permanente, ya que <a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2022\/10\/20\/quienes-son-los-solicitantes-de-asilo-y-que-es-el-asilo\/\">solicit\u00f3 asilo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b197032\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle large top_margin_20px bottom_margin_20px\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"true\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row-bg-overlay row-bg-layer\" style=\"background: ##FFFFFF; background: linear-gradient(90deg,##FFFFFF 0%,##FFFFFF 100%);  opacity: 1; \"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_top_desktop_1px border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_000000 border_style_solid\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1981c9\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-7 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<h3 id=\"news-that-puts-power-under-the-spotlight-and-communities-at-the-center\"><strong>Noticias que ponen el poder en el punto de mira y a las comunidades en el centro.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Suscr\u00edbase a nuestro bolet\u00edn gratuito y reciba actualizaciones dos veces por semana. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div style=\"margin-top: -20px; \" class=\"vc_col-sm-5 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column neg-marg no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_raw_html wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"_form_1\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.bluelena.io\/f\/embed.php?id=1\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<p>Cuatro a\u00f1os m\u00e1s tarde, fund\u00f3 AYYA Design Haus, creando espacios y dise\u00f1os que espera inspiren la misma libertad y autenticidad que busc\u00f3 construir para s\u00ed mismo.<\/p>\n<p>Borderless Magazine habl\u00f3 con Toufic sobre su infancia en el <a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2021\/10\/07\/el-centro-cultural-libanes-crea-comunidad-en-illinois-y-fuera-de-illinois\/\">L\u00edbano<\/a>, su experiencia de inmigraci\u00f3n y lo que significa dise\u00f1ar una vida -y un espacio- en un lugar que le proporcion\u00f3 la libertad de expresarse.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"growing-up-in-lebanon\">Creciendo en el L\u00edbano<\/h2>\n<p>Desde ni\u00f1o, siempre he respetado el potencial y me he aferrado a la esperanza de algo mejor.<\/p>\n<p>A\u00fan llevo ese sentimiento conmigo. Proviene de las experiencias que me formaron desde el principio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b19cd54\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy\" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1440\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family.jpg\" alt=\"Una foto de archivo muestra a Toufic con su madre y sus hermanas cuando naci\u00f3 su hermana menor, Zahwa, a principios de la d\u00e9cada de 1990.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-1107x830.jpg 1107w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Family-1707x1280.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Toufic con su madre y sus hermanas cuando naci\u00f3 su hermana peque\u00f1a, Zahwa, a principios de la d\u00e9cada de 1990. <\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Fotograf\u00eda cortes\u00eda de Toufic Alayyash<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1a20a0\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<p>Aunque mi madre es musulmana, mis padres eran bastante m\u00e1s liberales que los padres de otros ni\u00f1os donde crec\u00ed. Aun as\u00ed, dondequiera que mirara, ve\u00eda limitaciones.<\/p>\n<p>Vivir con ellos significaba comprometer aspectos de mi identidad. Era como si todo el mundo intentaba alejarme de todo lo que no encajara con el chico que ellos cre\u00edan que yo deb\u00eda ser.<\/p>\n<p>Soy apasionado y creativo. Me encanta la belleza, el dise\u00f1o y contar historias. Nunca me atrajeron los  intereses t\u00edpicos de los chicos. Quer\u00eda ser dise\u00f1ador de vestuario, pero mi padre dec\u00eda que su hijo no ser\u00eda costurero. Para m\u00ed, en aquel entonces, sent\u00eda que mi forma de ser y lo que me gustaba no eran suficientes.<\/p>\n<p>Era una inadaptado, y pensaba constantemente que algo estaba mal conmigo porque no encajaba en este mundo.<\/p>\n<p>No encajar se convirti\u00f3 en una fuerza impulsora, y cambiar mi narrativa se convirti\u00f3 en mi objetivo.<\/p>\n<p>Pero tambi\u00e9n gener\u00f3 miedo a expresarme. Ten\u00eda que esconderme y no compartir lo que me costaba.<\/p>\n<p>A lo largo de mi vida sufr\u00ed convulsiones epil\u00e9pticas, y m\u00e1s tarde me diagnosticaron la enfermedad de Crohn ya de adulto. A una edad m\u00e1s temprana, sufr\u00ed abusos verbales y f\u00edsicos por parte de ni\u00f1os de la escuela y vecinos, ya que mi homosexualidad y extravagancia eran un blanco f\u00e1cil para sus inseguridades.<\/p>\n<p>Creo que mi salud y mis desaf\u00edos emocionales y mentales est\u00e1n relacionados con la carga que han sufrido mi cerebro y mi sistema nervioso por lo que he vivido en silencio.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"falling-in-love-with-design\">Enamorarme del dise\u00f1o<\/h2>\n<p>Quer\u00eda convertirme en alguien que ayudara a la gente a construir estilos de vida y espacios bellos y a contar historias de individualidad y expresi\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<p>Cuando fui a la universidad en Beirut para estudiar arquitectura de interiores, tambi\u00e9n conoc\u00ed la vida nocturna gay clandestina de la ciudad. Fue una revelaci\u00f3n. Me di cuenta de que no estaba solo en el mundo. Por primera vez, ten\u00eda una comunidad y amigos que compart\u00edan historias similares. Bail\u00e1bamos, so\u00f1\u00e1bamos, nos escap\u00e1bamos en la clandestinidad.<\/p>\n<p>Antes estaba aterrorizado, sin saber lo que era ser gay. Ahora ten\u00eda amigos gays, y pod\u00edamos bailar y beber.<\/p>\n<p>Pero esa evasi\u00f3n se convirti\u00f3 en una distracci\u00f3n. Reprob\u00e9 mi primer a\u00f1o de universidad, lo que me oblig\u00f3 a dejar de huir y a ser m\u00e1s intencional sobre mi futuro.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1a2b9d\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_000000 border_style_solid left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct\"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_separator wpb_content_element vc_separator_align_center vc_sep_width_100 vc_sep_pos_align_center vc_sep_color_black wpb_content_element vc_separator-has-text\" ><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_l\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span><h4 id=\"read-more-of-our-coverage\">M\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n<\/h4><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_r\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-inline-posts\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-inline-posts-container pk-inline-posts-template-list\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-columns=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-32979\" class=\"post-32979 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-featured category-immigration-policy tag-saveact\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-outer\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-overlay pk-overlay-ratio pk-ratio-landscape\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-overlay-background\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2026\/04\/14\/save-act-what-to-know-immigrant-voters-registration-senate-trump\/\" class=\"pk-overlay-link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026_04_14_SaveAmericaAct-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-pk-thumbnail size-pk-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Se instalaron dos cabinas de votaci\u00f3n con sillas para la votaci\u00f3n anticipada en el American Indian Center en Albany Park.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<header>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"pk-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2026\/04\/14\/save-act-what-to-know-immigrant-voters-registration-senate-trump\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">As\u00ed es como el Acta \"SAVE America\" podr\u00eda impactar a los votantes inmigrantes<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pk-meta-author meta-author\"><span class=\"author vcard\"><a class=\"url fn n\" href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/author\/katrina\/\" title=\"Ver todas las publicaciones de Katrina Pham\">Katrina Pham<\/a><\/span><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sep\">-<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pk-meta-date meta-date\"><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2026\/04\/14\/save-act-what-to-know-immigrant-voters-registration-senate-trump\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">14 de abril de 2026<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .post-inner -->\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .post-outer -->\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<p>Hubo un cambio significativo de estar perdido a comprometerme con la carrera de arquitectura de interiores.<\/p>\n<p>Volv\u00ed a conectar con el dise\u00f1o. Esta vez, se convirti\u00f3 en una v\u00eda para contar historias. Me di cuenta de que, aunque no pudiera ser yo mismo en el mundo, puedo crear una nueva versi\u00f3n de mi mundo sobre el papel. Puedo ser yo mismo en mis historias.<\/p>\n<p>Ese descubrimiento me ayud\u00f3 a darme cuenta de mi potencial. Los sue\u00f1os y las ideas son geniales, pero lo m\u00e1s importante es la visi\u00f3n y la estrategia \u2014 no lo que ves, sino c\u00f3mo darle vida. Hay que ser capaz de materializar las ideas.<\/p>\n<p>Este camino para convertirme en arquitecto de interiores me ayud\u00f3 a confiar m\u00e1s en m\u00ed mismo y en mi futuro. Me di cuenta del poder de la elecci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<p>Sin embargo, tras unos a\u00f1os trabajando como arquitecto de interiores en Beirut y luego en Dubai, algo no funcionaba. Volv\u00eda a estar perdido.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"seeking-asylum\">Solicitando asilo<\/h2>\n<p>Siempre sent\u00ed el peso de vivir en una cultura muy cerrada. S\u00f3lo era abiertamente gay con un grupo selecto de amigos. Ni siquiera lo era con mis compa\u00f1eros de trabajo. Siempre sent\u00ed que no pod\u00eda ser yo mismo. Ca\u00eda una y otra vez en el mismo patr\u00f3n de elecciones equivocadas y relaciones t\u00f3xicas.<\/p>\n<p>En enero de 2020, renunci\u00e9 y vend\u00ed mis pertenencias. El plan era viajar y luego planificar mi siguiente paso. Hice dos maletas y met\u00ed todo lo dem\u00e1s en cajas y se las envi\u00e9 a mi madre en Beirut.<\/p>\n<p>Empec\u00e9 mi viaje en Chicago porque mi hermana vive all\u00ed. Aterric\u00e9 en marzo de 2020, y entonces el mundo entr\u00f3 en confinamiento debido a la pandemia de COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>Ya no ten\u00eda permiso de trabajo en Dubai, as\u00ed que no pod\u00eda volver a Dubai. Definitivamente no voy a volver a Beirut. Si vuelvo a Beirut, mi futuro \u2014 y la esperanza que ten\u00eda para m\u00ed mismo morir\u00eda, pens\u00e9 en aquel entonces.<\/p>\n<p>So\u00f1aba con tener alg\u00fan d\u00eda una pareja, quiz\u00e1 incluso casarme, tener una casa y crear nuevas experiencias. Esa vida era una fantas\u00eda, pero como dise\u00f1ador, hago que los sue\u00f1os se hagan realidad. Pens\u00e9 que quiz\u00e1 ahora me tocaba a m\u00ed.<\/p>\n<p>No ten\u00eda a d\u00f3nde ir. La \u00fanica forma de permanecer legalmente en Chicago era solicitar asilo por motivos LGBTQ, as\u00ed que empec\u00e9 a buscar ayuda. Me puse en contacto con organizaciones de inmigraci\u00f3n y escrib\u00ed a abogados, explic\u00e1ndoles cada vez mi historia. La mayor\u00eda rechazaron mi caso, diciendo que no era una prioridad.<\/p>\n<p>Finalmente encontr\u00e9 a una abogada, Sara Ghadiri, de Chapman &amp; Cutler LLP, quien tom\u00f3 mi caso de forma gratuita a trav\u00e9s del <a href=\"https:\/\/immigrantjustice.org\">National Immigrant Justice Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Me escuch\u00f3 y comprendi\u00f3 mi historia. Cuando present\u00e9 la solicitud, me dijeron que no pod\u00eda volver al L\u00edbano. Ten\u00eda que elegir entre un futuro incierto en Estados Unidos o volver a lo que no funcionaba para m\u00ed.<\/p>\n<p>Me sent\u00eda como en un vac\u00edo.<\/p>\n<p>No volver\u00e9 a ver a mi familia. Ya no podr\u00e9 disfrutar de la comida ni sentir la brisa de Beirut. Hay una cierta calidad del aire que todos buscamos sentir a veces. Nos hace sentir en casa, como si todo estuviera bien. Sab\u00eda que ya no me sentir\u00eda as\u00ed. Hab\u00eda una profunda sensaci\u00f3n de p\u00e9rdida.<\/p>\n<p>Durante el proceso de solicitud de asilo, sufr\u00eda de ansiedad cada d\u00eda que abr\u00eda el buz\u00f3n, esperando recibir una carta con novedades sobre mi caso. Estaba muy paranoico porque volver a Beirut no era una opci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<p>Sent\u00eda que estaba poniendo todas mis esperanzas, mi futuro, mis ambiciones, todo lo que quiero hacer y llegar a ser, en manos de lo desconocido. Era aterrador.<\/p>\n<p>Por suerte, me concedieron el asilo. Me mud\u00e9 de la vivienda de mi hermana a un peque\u00f1o apartamento en Uptown Chicago sin m\u00e1s pertenencias que mis maletas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"wpb_widgetised_column wpb_content_element\">\n\t\t<div id=\"sidebar\" data-nectar-ss=\"true\" class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"custom_html-4 1articleright\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html\"><h3 id=\"wordpress-popular-posts\" class=\"widget-title\">Entradas populares de WordPress<\/h3><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h4 id=\"trending-posts\" class=\"widget-title\">Tendencias<\/h4><div class=\"wpp-shortcode\"><script type=\"application\/json\" data-id=\"wpp-shortcode-inline-js\">{\"title\":\"Trending Posts\",\"limit\":\"3\",\"offset\":0,\"range\":\"custom\",\"time_quantity\":\"124\",\"time_unit\":\"day\",\"freshness\":\"1\",\"order_by\":\"views\",\"post_type\":\"post\",\"pid\":\"\",\"exclude\":\"\",\"cat\":\"\",\"taxonomy\":\"category\",\"term_id\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"shorten_title\":{\"active\":false,\"length\":0,\"words\":false},\"post-excerpt\":{\"active\":false,\"length\":0,\"keep_format\":false,\"words\":false},\"thumbnail\":{\"active\":true,\"build\":\"predefined\",\"width\":\"240\",\"height\":\"160\"},\"rating\":false,\"stats_tag\":{\"comment_count\":false,\"views\":false,\"author\":false,\"date\":{\"active\":false,\"format\":\"F j, Y\"},\"category\":false,\"taxonomy\":{\"active\":false,\"name\":\"category\"}},\"markup\":{\"custom_html\":true,\"wpp-start\":\"&lt;ul class=&quot;wpp-list wpp-cardview&quot;&gt;\",\"wpp-end\":\"&lt;\\\/ul&gt;\",\"title-start\":\"&lt;h4 class=&quot;widget-title&quot;&gt;\",\"title-end\":\"&lt;\\\/h4&gt;\",\"post-html\":\"&lt;li&gt;{thumb} {title} {stats}&lt;\\\/li&gt;\"},\"theme\":{\"name\":\"\"}}<\/script><div class=\"wpp-shortcode-placeholder\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1c7133\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\"  style=\"margin-top: 3%; margin-bottom: 3%; \">\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy\" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1920\" width=\"1440\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago-450x600.jpg 450w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago-623x830.jpg 623w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic_Chicago-960x1280.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Toufic en 2020, cuando se mud\u00f3 a su microapartamento-estudio, practicando la fabricaci\u00f3n de art\u00edculos de cuero y la creaci\u00f3n de prototipos. <\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Fotograf\u00eda cortes\u00eda de Toufic Alayyash<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1c8ad2\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<p>Empec\u00e9 a solicitar trabajo en cuanto obtuve el permiso de trabajo. Estaba ansioso por aprender sobre los c\u00f3digos de construcci\u00f3n y las pr\u00e1cticas est\u00e1ndar en la arquitectura de interiores en Estados Unidos, particularmente en Chicago, y volver al dise\u00f1o.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"i-was-running-right-now-im-building\">\u201cEstaba huyendo. Ahora, estoy construyendo.\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>Encontr\u00e9 trabajo en una empresa de reformas del hogar y luego pas\u00e9 al comercio minorista en una de las principales empresas mundiales de venta al por menor y dise\u00f1o. En 2023 empec\u00e9 a ejercer la arquitectura de interiores de forma independiente y lanc\u00e9 mi empresa en noviembre de 2024.<\/p>\n<p>AYYA Design Haus, el nombre de la empresa, procede de las cuatro letras centrales de mi apellido. En \u00e1rabe, Aya \u0623\u064a\u0629 tambi\u00e9n se traduce como milagro o historia sagrada. Quer\u00eda construir mi futuro sobre los cimientos de lo que me trajo hasta aqu\u00ed.<\/p>\n<p>Desde entonces, he seguido creando dise\u00f1os que desaf\u00edan la arquitectura convencional, a contratistas, constructores e ingenieros.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1c99dd\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy\" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02.jpg\" alt=\"Una imagen de cerca muestra al dise\u00f1ador de interiores Toufic Alayyash haciendo bocetos en el despacho de su casa el 10 de noviembre de 2025.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025.11.10_AsToldToToufic-Alayyash_02-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Toufic Alayyash realiza bocetos en su despacho de su casa el 10 de noviembre de 2025. <\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69dec8b1cb0c2\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t<p>De peque\u00f1o, me dec\u00edan que era demasiado sensible o delicado. Ahora, abrazo esa sensibilidad, que ha inspirado mis creaciones. Trabajo con la gente para mostrarles esperanza, oportunidades, potencial, dise\u00f1o, belleza y arte.<\/p>\n<p>Cuando dise\u00f1o, quiero entender a la persona que hay detr\u00e1s del proyecto \u2014 sus valores, emociones e intenciones. Quiero conocer su mundo. Esto me permite dise\u00f1ar espacios que son una extensi\u00f3n de qui\u00e9nes son.<\/p>\n<p>Mi transici\u00f3n del Oriente Medio a Chicago ha sacado a la luz traumas del pasado que antes controlaban gran parte de mi vida. Estaba huyendo. Ahora, estoy construyendo.<\/p>\n<p>Como alguien que ha experimentado realidades completamente opuestas, estar donde estoy ahora, viviendo aut\u00e9nticamente con mi pareja, dando forma a una vida guiada por el dise\u00f1o, la expresi\u00f3n y la autenticidad, es todo lo que siempre he querido. Ha sido a costa de separarme de mis or\u00edgenes y ra\u00edces, pero al mirar hacia al futuro, estas ra\u00edces siempre tendr\u00e1n un lugar en m\u00ed, en mi coraz\u00f3n, en mi vida y en el trabajo que presento al mundo.<\/p>\n<p>Una vez que me di cuenta de lo que estaba huyendo, comprend\u00ed de que ten\u00eda que enfrentarlo. Mientras estuve en Chicago, asist\u00ed a terapia de trauma para procesar mis experiencias. Estar en paz requiere m\u00e1s que simplemente huir, y estar quieto exige m\u00e1s esfuerzo que huir.<\/p>\n<p>Mi verdadero valor como dise\u00f1ador reside en ser un solucionador de problemas. Estoy orgulloso de esa perseverancia que siempre me ha inspirado a seguir adelante, sin importarme lo que pensara la gente. Ahora s\u00e9 que mientras crea en mi visi\u00f3n, se unir\u00e1n las personas adecuadas. Estoy agradecido con las personas que han decidido unirse a m\u00ed: mi familia, mis amigos, mi equipo y los clientes que creen en mi visi\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<p>Ahora vivo donde hay muchas culturas, idiomas y estilos de vida. Sinceramente, no querr\u00eda estar en ning\u00fan otro sitio. Yo soy mis dise\u00f1os. Llevan el esp\u00edritu de las ciudades que me formaron.<\/p>\n<p><i>Aydali Campa es miembro de Report for America y cubre temas de justicia medioambiental y comunidades inmigrantes para Borderless Magazine. Env\u00eda un correo electr\u00f3nico a Aydali a <\/i><a href=\"mailto:aydali@borderlessmag.org\"><i>aydali@borderlessmag.org<\/i><\/a><i>.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Este historia se ha realizado siguiendo el m\u00e9todo colaborativo de Borderless Magazine. Para saber c\u00f3mo creamos historias como \u00e9sta, consulta nuestra <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/segun-el-metodo\/\"><i>explicaci\u00f3n visual<\/i><\/a><i>.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone\"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>El viaje de Toufic a Estados Unidos no fue s\u00f3lo una cuesti\u00f3n de oportunidades econ\u00f3micas, sino de supervivencia y libertad para vivir con autenticidad. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":31425,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,855],"tags":[892],"coauthors":[566],"class_list":{"0":"post-31420","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-as-told-to","8":"category-featured","9":"tag-lebaneseinteriordesigner"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How a Queer Lebanese Immigrant Redesigned His Life in America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"After fleeing Lebanon, Toufic Alayyash says he\u2019s embracing his identity and passion \u2014 launching an interior architecture studio in Chicago.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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