Dear Friend,  

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday—the single biggest fundraising day of the year for nonprofits. I’m sure this is just one of many emails you've received asking for donations (for many worthy causes), but I want to personally explain why raising $10,000 for Immigration Equality this week is so important to me.  

I'm a trans man from Egypt, and for decades I was living a closeted life. Hiding my true self felt like someone was crushing my bones. I couldn’t breathe until I came to the U.S. to seek asylum. I went to Immigration Equality for help—and not only did they win my asylum case, they helped me become a U.S. citizen. Now, I want to give back, and I’m asking you to join me. 

Create a Facebook fundraiser for Immigration Equality today with a goal of $250. If just 20 people join me, we’ll raise $5,000—and a generous donor will DOUBLE the amount! 

Watch my story, and you’ll understand why this cause is so important to me: 

I’m thankful for the team at Immigration Equality for sticking with me all these years. Every day, I’m reminded that it’s a blessing to look in the mirror and see my true self. To be able to express how I feel about someone without shame or fear.  

If we work together, we can help other LGBTQ and HIV-positive refugees breathe the same deep sigh of relief, safety, and belonging that I did. Please join me by creating a Facebook fundraiser for Immigration Equality today.

In the spirit of giving, 

Omar Hassan 
Immigration Equality 

P.S. Don’t have Facebook? You can donate directly here.