In light of the increasing number of “sexual refugees” in this country, PASSOP is pleased to announce a new program that will bring disenfranchised gay and transgender refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants together by building a support network.
Homophobia is a serious issue all across Africa. In many countries, LGBTI people face harsh punishments ranging from fines and imprisonments to death, solely for expressing their sexual orientation or gender identity. This unjust reality has led to an influx of sexual refugees, especially in South Africa, one of the few countries in the world that grants refugee status on the basis of sexual orientation. Despite South Africa’s official position, the asylum application process is fraught with problems and many LGBTI people are turned away unjustly. Moreover, those who are granted status still often face discrimination and harassment in their new communities in South Africa. When xenophobia is compounded with homophobia, it leaves many gay and transgender people in conditions not unlike those in the countries they fled in the first place.
Recognizing the vulnerability of their particular situation, PASSOP is launching a program that will provide support and advocacy for this social group. This project will include a solidarity network to unite LGBTI refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants and provide them with outlets for emotional support and counseling. In partnership with other LGBTI rights organizations, PASSOP will also promote advocacy within their communities to ensure their safety and integration.
In addition to this solidarity network, the new project will monitor the South African government to ensure that it is true to its commitment to sexual refugees. Through paralegal support, workshops and community organizing, the program will empower these refugees and asylum seekers to engage in gay refugee rights activism and ensure that South Africa lives out its constitutional protection for the rights of gay men and women.
Through this program, PASSOP wishes to join in the efforts of many other organizations dedicated to LGBTI rights in South Africa. Though the issue is massive, PASSOP hopes that this will provide a step in the right direction.
If you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to participate in this new program, please contact office@passop.co.za.
2 replies on “PASSOP to Launch Gay Refugee Program”
In light of the increasing number of “sexual refugees” WE MUST ALL HELP OUT WHEN EVER WE CAN, please visit this important site to see the news and see what you can do to help out. PLEASE HELP THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS by visiting the site, reading the news and doing what ever you can to spread the word. WE MUST TAKE ACTION NOW!!
I promise to spread this website around through all my social networks so that more people will find you and help out with which ever way they can… Thank you to all the Heroes invovlved with PASSOP and be safe, we need you…
~ Ari ☺♥ ✿◠‿◠
Muawww. oxox
Thank you for the kind words and for your support Ari! These human rights violations are occurring far too often.. We really need all the help we can get to put an end to them. Spread the word and speak out against injustice all around us!