Campaign Story

Canada

Support LGBTQIA+ Refugees in East Africa: A Call for Safety, Dignity, and Hope

[Update 2025-07]

We are raising the next 5000$ to transport 10 trailblazers refugees from SS to South Africa. They will need food, tickets, custom fees, pocket money for Data and expenses, etc. This first trip will give us a better idea of the challenges ahead, what to avoid and to expect.

[TL/DR] This Campaign is the work of two very courageous and generous LGBTQI+ advocates [M and El for safety purposes] from Uganda, they reached out to me and we connected online through advocate work. While getting to know them and their struggles, I saw that it was essential for them to receive our immediate help so they could survive and live with dignity. They are displaced and trying to find a place to live their life free and without persecution.

I am living and working in Canada as an inclusion and accessibility expert in education and am actively working to support create a better world for marginalized and minoritized people. 100% of donations to this campaign will transit through me and is sent directly to M and El for their group.

Below is from the perspective of M, edited only for language and brevity.

With immense gratitude,

Emmanuel

—–

My name is M. I’m a transgender activist and HIV/AIDS advocate, and I’m reaching out to share the urgent struggles LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees face in East Africa.

I fled Uganda to escape persecution, violence, and the Anti-Gay bill. Hoping to find safety, I sought asylum in Kenya — but faced the same discrimination and threats there. We were eventually forced to flee again due to harassment, deportation orders, and widespread hostility.

Now in South Sudan, conditions have worsened. Ongoing civil conflict, the shutdown of aid organizations like USAID and WFP, and the lack of support from UNHCR have left us without food, shelter, or access to HIV treatment. Members of our community are dying from hunger and preventable illnesses. We now face yet another forced displacement, as the South Sudanese government has issued an ultimatum.

We are calling on allies, advocates, and those who believe in equality to stand with us.

What We Face Daily

Violence & Persecution: Because of our identities, we endure threats, abuse, and isolation from other refugees and local authorities. Homophobia puts our lives at constant risk.

Poverty & Exclusion: We’re denied jobs and opportunities due to discrimination, leaving us without income or support. Survival is a daily challenge.

Lack of Essentials: We struggle to access food, clean water, clothes, hygiene items, and menstrual supplies. Even the most basic necessities are scarce.

Health Crisis: In a harsh climate filled with hazards like scorpions and malaria, access to healthcare is almost non-existent. Many with HIV are left untreated as ARVs are no longer distributed.

How Your Support Helps

Shelter & Safety: Funds will help us secure safer living spaces and protection from violence.

Basic Needs: Your donation provides food, water, clothing, sanitary products, and medicine.

Healthcare Access: We aim to restore access to HIV treatment and emergency medical care.

Education & Empowerment: We hope to launch programs that provide training and tools for independence and dignity.

We are a community in crisis — but with your help, we can survive, rebuild, and thrive. Your support makes all the difference. Please consider sharing, donating, or advocating on our behalf.

From all of us seeking safety, thank you.

M

Hello dear donors and , I send blessings your way,

We’ve managed to support a first group of Trans refugees to start the travel towards safety. They managed to leave South Sudan unharmed and are now back in Uganda in a safe space before moving forward towards South Africa. To be tranparent, I sent them the first seed money (400$) to take a bus to get out of SS after they were able to be healthy back again and fed through your support. Now they need money for rent and food for a couple of weeks to plan the next stretch of the trip. If you have some money to send their way, this would help tremandously.

Thank you and may we soon live in a world where everybody can live and contribute with dignity. Emmanuel

Hello dear humans, I want first to share the most heartfelt thank you from our friends in East Africa. Indeed, your support meant the world to them in a situation that was very difficult. It came as a beacon of hope.

They had to flee Gorom camp where violence and intimidation came from both other refugees and militia, and are now scattered in a city nearby.

The funds were used mainly to feed, house and treat people and give them some breathing room. They used this newfound energy to plan the way ahead. Without giving too much details on the specifics, the idea is to help and support their journey from South Sudan to a Country in South Africa where at least homosexuality is not criminalized. To cover for food, transportation, bribes and border fees, etc. we amount approx. 500$ per person. If we could ask you to share and advocate for these displaced siblings, we would be ever grateful. Emmanuel, M and El

Hello donors and people reading this update, I want to start by saying a big thank you to you for helping support this group of refugees, they were ready to loose hope and then you came. I appreciate you. Thank you as well to Chuffed for sharing our campaign. Here’s how your funds are helping them towards their goal of finding a place safe to live in dignity and freedom : * Food : They were able to buy food for their community of care and plan ahead * Medical bills : Health conditions are hazardous and many refugees have health issues * Reuniting with fellow LGBTQI+ refugees : Some refugees had to stay behind because they did not have the means to get out of Gorom when they were expulsed. They were able to help a small group out of the camp. I’ll send another update soon with some words from M and El Your generosity contributed to support this group stand in courage in face of adversity and the world can only be a better place for it. Thank you ! -emmanuel

Maxime Papillon