Program offers helping hand to gay refugees arriving in city
Goal to assist people in integrating into Canadian society
He never had a chance to truly be himself before he came to Canada.
The man, who couldn’t be identified due to fears of repercussions from his family in Jordan, came to Canada over a year ago to start a new life — and to live his life as an openly gay man.
“I’m not out in Jordan, because if I am out there, then I would be in danger,” he said.
“Because I am gay, I can’t live the way I am living, or being who I am in Jordan without being afraid of my safety.
“My mom is Canadian, so I decided to come to Canada last year to seek refuge because in Canada I am out.”
He added that if he were to be outed publicly back home, his family would expel him. Not only that, but society would discriminate against him and his social networks would crumble.
His struggle was real when he came to Calgary last year — no job, no driver’s licence, no food, and no identity meant for tough times for the man.
A project launched Saturday is looking to quash those limitations. The End of the Rainbow Foundation and Rainbow Railroad Station will assist the new waves of LGBTQ refugees coming to Calgary.
“Ninety per cent of them, based on clients we serve already, will have experienced extreme violence of some sort, or torture,” said Kelly Ernst, director for the LGBTQ+ Newcomers Services.
“We know two-thirds of them that would go back would face death and we know at least half of them would be imprisoned immediately if they stepped on the soil of their country.
“We’ve been getting a lot of calls to support LGBTQ refugees here in Calgary and that’s what we are trying to do.”
The program has one goal in mind — to help integrate LGBTQ refugees who are fleeing very highrisk scenarios into Canadian society.
Ernst said they are looking to raise funds to assist refugees who individually need up to $30,000 for one year of living and medical expenses, setup costs, language training and career development.
“Having sponsorship groups here be set up specifically dedicated to LGBTQ refugees is just a no-brainer,” Ernst said.
The Jordanian refugee said that he never had a program like this when he came to Canada.
“I’m so adoring the idea of the foundation because when I came to Calgary … I was on my own and I didn’t see or find a foundation or organization that gave support to LGBTQ refugees,” he said.
For those looking to get involved, Ernst said that they are in need of donations and volunteers.
For more information, you can visit centrefornewcomers.ca/ our-services/settling-in-canada/ lgbtq-project.