For an LGBTQ couple fleeing brutal assault and hate in Africa, the support they91裸聊视频檝e received from a Vancouver Island organization has been nothing short of life-saving.
Paul Canary Kanyamu, 26, and his partner Meddie Ssentongo, 22, originally met in Uganda and arrived in Nanaimo at the beginning of April from the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, where they lived for three and a half years.
A Vancouver Island volunteer organization known as , which sponsors 91裸聊视频渟exual and gender-diverse91裸聊视频� refugees from around the world who have fled persecution in their home countries, sponsored the couple while at Kakuma, with their move to Canada, and will provide financial, social and emotional support for their first year in Nanaimo.
James Chamberlain, a secretary for ROAR and a sponsor for Kanyamu and Ssentongo, said the organization was able to provide the couple with money for food, medical treatment and cellphones for secure communication.
Ssentongo said that some of the services at the camp, like medication, schooling and law enforcement, were denied to LGBTQ people.
91裸聊视频淎s queer refugees in the camp, we often experienced a lot of persecution and discrimination,91裸聊视频� Kanyamu said.
He recounted the numerous physical assaults at the camp, including one instance in which most of his leg was broken.
91裸聊视频淎t one time we lost some LGBTQ friends. They were burned to death at night 91裸聊视频� a transgender woman 91裸聊视频� her injuries were so bad, as a result, she breathed her last,91裸聊视频� he said.
Although same-sex relations were already illegal in Uganda, a harsher anti-LGBTQ law was enacted this spring that, in some cases, includes the death penalty.
91裸聊视频淲hen you have any rainbow stuff on you, it91裸聊视频檚 a crime,91裸聊视频� Kanyamu said. 91裸聊视频淓ven as a journalist, you91裸聊视频檙e not supposed to interview anyone who is gay [or] your company would be closed or fined 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 very challenging right now.91裸聊视频�
In stark contrast to their old lives, Kanyamu said he was finally able to participate in a Pride event without fear. On June 11, during the Nanaimo Pride Society91裸聊视频檚 Pride Parade downtown, Kanyamu walked with the Reach 91裸聊视频極ut91裸聊视频� for LGBTQ and Allies initiative with Brechin United Church.
He said the parade was 91裸聊视频渧ery marvelous,91裸聊视频� and something he didn91裸聊视频檛 think he could ever get to do.
91裸聊视频淥ur lives in Nanaimo here, first of all, we are free as LGBTQ,91裸聊视频� he said.
Ssentongo added that Pride events last month 91裸聊视频渇elt like home91裸聊视频� and that they happily participated 91裸聊视频渨ithout any fear.91裸聊视频�
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