LGBTQ+ Refugees Finding Safety in the United States
San Francisco, California
Cabrel Ngounou’s life in Cameroon quickly unraveled after neighbors caught the teenager with his boyfriend.
A crowd surrounded his boyfriend’s house and beat him. Ngounou’s family learned of the relationship and kicked him out. So Ngounou fled — alone and with little money — on a dangerous, four-year journey through at least five countries. He was sexually assaulted in a Libyan prison, harassed in Tunisia and tried unsuccessfully to take a boat to Europe.
The Journey to the United States
Ngounou’s troubles drew attention after he joined a protest outside the U.N. refugee agency’s Tunisia office. Eventually, he arrived in the United States, landing in San Francisco in March.
Welcome Corps
Ngounou joined a growing number of LGBTQ+ people accepted into the Welcome Corps, which launched last year and pairs groups of Americans with newly arrived refugees. So far, the resettlement program has connected 3,500 sponsors with 1,800 refugees, and many more want to help: 100,000 people have applied to become sponsors.
A New Home
Ngounou settled in San Francisco and connected with a team of sponsors, including a lesbian couple, Anne Raeff and Lori Ostlund. They hosted him, connected him with LGBTQ+ resources and a work training program. They also served as his tour guides to gay life, taking him to the historically gay Castro district.
Another Refugee’s Journey
Another refugee in the program, Julieth Luna Garcia, is a transgender woman from El Salvador who settled in Chicago. Since arriving in February, she has found a place to live and a job as a home health aide. She hopes to study to become a lawyer.
Conclusion
LGBTQ+ refugees face unique challenges and risks in their homelands, including violence, persecution, and marginalization. The Welcome Corps program provides a vital link between refugees and American hosts, helping them adjust to their new lives and finding safety.
FAQs
- Who is the Welcome Corps?
The Welcome Corps is a resettlement program that pairs groups of Americans with newly arrived refugees. - How many sponsors have been connected with refugees through the program?
As of now, 3,500 sponsors have been connected with 1,800 refugees. - What is the goal of the program?
The goal is to help refugees adjust to their new lives and find safety. - How can people apply to become sponsors?
100,000 people have applied to become sponsors, and applications are being accepted.
