Team Unlimited: Bringing LGBT Refugees to Toronto
16 Jan 2019.  

It's been six months since our group first met about supporting and bringing an LGBT refugee to safety. In that time we've begun fundraising towards the $40,0000 total cost of facilitating the process which is overseen by Rainbow Railroad. Normally it's about $20,0000 per refugee, however our group decided to take on a couple as we hope it'll make finding affordable housing much easier if the rent is split between two. 

The process to bring a refugee to safety often means they must leave their home and seek asylum in another country. From there, Rainbow Railroad and our team of fifteen volunteers will support the newcomers with transportation, temporary housing, government administrative support, community orientation and love.

When we all signed up to support this project we had no idea who we'd be helping or where they would be from but recently we've secured our match. Saeed and Arman are a  gay male couple in their mid-thirties currently taking refuge in Turkey after fleeing Iran. We don't know the specific details of their circumstances in their home country but according to Rainbow Railroad they were pretty bed. They both speak near-perfect English and are university-educated which should make it a lot easier for them to adjust to life in Toronto. It's anticipated that the earliest they'd arrive is July 2019 but these details are subject to how smooth the asylum process goes.

Our group is meeting in a few weeks to figure out our next steps and if you are interested in helping out or donating to our fund, we'd love to have you!