Dear Friend,

Hi—I wanted to make sure you saw my Give OUT Day message earlier today.

I set a goal to raise $5,000 for Immigration Equality today, and there’s still time to reach it—but I need your help.

Will you support life-saving legal services for LGBTQ refugees like me? Please give today.

Any gift amount—big or small—goes a long way toward concrete services and will be put to immediate use.

Thank you,
Mandibe

Immigration Equality client Ishalaa Ortega at the 2022 NYC Pride March.

Growing up in Chad as a lesbian woman was difficult. I faced rejection at every corner—my siblings, my extended family, and the rest of the community despised me for who I was.  

I fell in love with a close friend, but we knew we had to keep our love a secret. If anyone saw us being too affectionate on the street, we faced danger.

When my family found out about our relationship, I faced the threat of violence from my very own brother. If my mother didn’t protect me, I might have been killed. If I wanted to protect myself from immediate harm, I had no choice but to marry a man.  

It was then I knew I had to leave Chad and find refuge in the United States—where I found Immigration Equality. They supported me with the most wonderful lawyers, secured me asylum and made me feel safe in a country where I can now be myself.  

This Give OUT Day, join my campaign to raise $5,000 for their life-saving work. Contribute $100 to support direct legal representation for queer asylum seekers like me. 

​​​​Being granted asylum was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Today, I am free. Free from the threat of violence, free to love whom I love, and be who I want to be. I feel good knowing I can’t be sent back to Chad where I will be persecuted for my orientation. 

Now that I am safe in the U.S. I plan to go to school and become either a nurse or own a business. I would love to travel the entire country and visit every single state.  

My wish is to settle in a nice state, have a nice job, and to be with someone whom I love. Unfortunately, in Chad, these simple hopes are unattainable for LGBTQ people.  

Together, we can help more LGBTQ asylum seekers fulfill their dreams. Join me in my Give OUT Day campaign to raise $5,000.  

Will you give $100 today to secure safety and asylum for people like me?

Thank you,  

Mandibe, Client  
Immigration Equality