Marina Narbuntaite's story
Marina Narbuntaite's story
Balancing my identities has been challenging. While I deeply identify as Lithuanian and love my country’s traditions and culture, navigating the closed mindset about certain issues, especially regarding LGBTQ+ rights, has been difficult. In Lithuania, at worst there exists ridiculous fear-mongering narratives and homophobia, and at best a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ mindset. I’ve been openly out as a bisexual since I was 14, and I’ve received both death threats from strangers and deeply hurtful comments from friends and relatives. While it feels isolating and painful, I believe visibility is crucial for change. Change doesn’t occur overnight; it requires momentum and internal shifts – protests, visibility, and claiming the space to be who you are. I will always continue to fight for recognition and our rights, both in public and professional spaces. I’m proud to say that change is happening in Lithuania, albeit slowly. There’s been a lot of progress in recent years – there’s more representation and visibility in social media, with several outspoken LGBTQ+ voices gaining popularity and support, despite facing backlash. This visibility is crucial for dismantling the taboo surrounding our existence and showing LGBTQ+ youths that they are not alone in their experiences.
I decided to pursue an LLM to continue my fight for justice, not only as an activist but also through legal means. My interest is particularly focused on international law and the perpetuation of discrimination, either overtly or covertly, through domestic and international legal frameworks. This issue was greatly highlighted during the Black Lives Matter movement, and while it led to some progress, it was not enough. This trend is also seen in broader international judicial bodies.
My struggle with mental health is what led me to the University of East London. In 2020, my mental health hit its lowest point and I needed an educational environment which provided me with stability, and most of all, community. That human connection was vital for me, and it has made such a massive difference in my life. 2023 is the year my baseline emotion has become contentment and joy. I wake up every day with something to look forward to, and I can finally say I’m happy and found my purpose. To those who may be struggling with mental health, know that you’re not alone. Healing is not linear, but it is a proactive process – you need to actively do things every day that make you feel better. I remember during the worst of my grieving and depression hearing advice about exercising and eating well and just rolling my eyes, feeling like they didn’t understand. But now, I understand the importance of setting certain routines, going outside, soaking up the sun, and finding genuine joy in the little things – even if it’s just a tiny moment of finding happiness and comfort in enjoying a coffee and a biscuit. These small glimpses of happiness accumulate, and gradually, your heart will feel lighter. So, my advice would be to sit with every shade of yourself – your pain, grief, happiness, emptiness – and embrace it with love. Find peace in knowing that one day, you will be exactly where you want to be.
My biggest goal in the next few years is to start my PhD and hopefully transition into a lecturing position. I’m incredibly passionate about social mobility and working towards dismantling barriers that individuals from working-class backgrounds face in both academia and the professional world, and I hope that becoming a lecturer will provide the platform to continue these efforts.
