Friend—Just making sure you saw my last email below.

It’s tough for me to talk about the homophobic violence I lived through, but I do it to inspire support for Immigration Equality's work winning asylum for LGBTQ refugees.

Secure safe haven for queer people fleeing hate worldwide. Make your year-end gift today: imeq.org/YearEndGift

With heartfelt gratitude,
​​​​​​Nelson 

Hi Friend—As a kid, what did you dream of being when you grew up? 

There was only ever one path for me: being a lawyer. I pursued that dream all the way to law school, and I worked hard to earn my degree. 
 
A few days after graduation, the Venezuelan police kidnapped me, threw me in a van, and beat me. They paraded me around the city for hours while telling me I “deserve this for being gay.” I had no choice but to flee the country.



I was crushed, but when Immigration Equality took my asylum case, I felt a glimmer of hope. They helped me start the asylum process, and I went back to pursuing my dream of becoming a lawyer. 

Friend—no one should have to live in fear because of who they are or whom they love. Please donate today so Immigration Equality can deliver safety and freedom to queer refugees like me.
​​​

Today, I am a paralegal at an immigration law firm where I can support and share resources with immigrants whose stories are similar to my own. And now that I have asylum, I am planning to pursue my law career once again. 

There are so many stories like mine in the making. Together, we can get queer refugees the legal services they need to be safe and free.