Content Warning: This email discusses assault. 
 

Hi Friend,

Last week, we reached out to you about supporting translation and legal services for LGBTQ Afghans seeking refuge in Canada. We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed thus far, but we still are only half way to our $5,000 goal and need your help to reach it. 

Immigration Equality is working with 30 clients who fled Afghanistan, where they faced certain death because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They are now living in active fear for their health, safety, and lives in neighboring countries where being LGBTQ is a crime. We have spent countless hours submitting refugee applications for these clients and are now working to ensure their transition to life in Canada. Many of them require translation services, the first critical step to securing their safety. Will you help us support their legal and translation services today?  

Many of our clients lived with family members in Afghanistan who do not know that they are LGBTQ. Some are even in hiding from their families, who persecuted them in the past. Others have been attacked and raped by strangers while seeking safety in neighboring countries. 
 

Our clients describe harrowing experiences, like being caught, beaten, jailed, and expelled from countries in which they sought refuge.

One was forced to flee again with traffickers and struggles to find a moment alone to discuss their case over the phone. Many do not have regular access to internet or phone services at all, making it very challenging to complete their applications. 

One client, a trans woman living with HIV, was attacked by her own father due to his suspicions regarding her gender identity. When she was sent to the hospital, her injuries were so severe that the police were called to investigate the matter, but she was terrified that explaining why her father attacked her could lead to further abuse at the hands of the police. She pursued her refugee application in secret, forced to hide from her own family in order to attend her refugee interview. Thankfully, she was granted relief and will be on her way to Canada shortly. In the meantime, we secured temporary housing and living expenses for her to ensure her safety. 

A major barrier to this work is a lack of language access. As we do not have any Dari or Pashto speakers on staff, we utilize translation services to communicate with our clients - but a single application can require lengthy documentation and dozens of hours of work.  

That is where you come in. Support for Immigration Equality can be used to sponsor an LGBTQ Afghan’s translation services so that our clients can live a safe, free life without fear.  

Your contribution of: 
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