‘PATHWAYS TO SAFETY’
Rainbow Railroad’s 60in60 campaign aims to save persecuted LGBTQ people around the world,
Bassel Mcleash lived a closeted life in Syria before fleeing in 2012 to Egypt where he later tested positive for HIV and lost his job and work permit.
Middle Eastern countries are not the most gay-friendly places to be, Mcleash said, as he constantly feared being outed and thrown into jail.
“If people suspect you are gay, you can still end up being tortured. You lose all your social rights and the government won’t even issue you a passport,” said the 29-year-old. “I was sick and relied on friends I met in Egypt. A lot of time, I was in psychological breakdown, crying because I didn’t see any hope and light at the end of the tunnel.”
Fortunately, an American human rights activist he met in Cairo connected him with Toronto-based Rainbow Railroad in 2014. The volunteer group helps and rescues LGBTQ people facing physical violence and threats in other countries.
With their help, Mcleash arrived in Toronto to start a new life in May under Ottawa’s refugee resettlement program and even marched in this year’s gay pride parade beside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Finding refuge for Mcleash is just the latest success story for Rainbow Railroad, which recently launched its 60in60 campaign to save 60 LGBTQ lives in 60 days.
“We currently have 60 active cases that require immediate help in finding pathways to safety for these people,” said Kimahli Powell, Rainbow Railroad’s executive director.
“They come from all over the world where it is not safe for members of the LGBTQ community. Some of these places still criminalize homosexuality.”
The group, established in 2006, does not offer resettlement sponsorships to Canada for persecuted gays and lesbians. It runs on a triage approach by providing victims with social and financial support as well as information on routes to seek asylum and “get people in danger to safety.”
Rainbow Railroad has set a target to raise $300,000 by Dec. 31. So far, $143,000 has been raised, including $100,000 from the Elton John AIDS Foundation to provide direct travel costs for up to 20 LGBTQ people with HIV as well as proper medical treatment.
“Life is tough for some of these members of the LGBTQ community. A guy had acid thrown on him and still carries the scars. Others are homeless after they’re abandoned by their families,” Powell said. “Our volunteers have reviewed each case and picked the ones in the direst situation.”
The moral support from Rainbow Railroad is invaluable and its volunteers make him feel he is not alone, Mcleash said.
“I am a free person and can be who I am now. I carried the (rainbow) flag at the pride parade. I was the flag boy,” he said proudly. “I hope the 60in60 campaign is going to be a success. Rainbow Railroad helped save my life. I hope others would have the same opportunity for a new life like I did.”
Donations to the campaign can be made by credit card, cheque or Aeroplan miles through Rainbow Railroad’s website.