Easter Appeal for LGBTQ Refugees in Gorom Camp, Sudan

My name is Aisling, a trans advocate from the Midwest United States. I'm raising money on behalf of Noel Ace & Friends, who reached out to me via Substack. Hear his story below:

"My name is NOEL, a proud Queer living in Gorom refugee camp. Gorom refugee camp has more than 500 Queer asylum seekers and refugees of which 99% of us fled away from Uganda and the 1% from Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia in fear of persecution, torture and discrimination of all sorts. I pass on this message seeking for support and advocacy creating awareness of what i and my fellow LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees are currently facing and going through.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Refugees in Gorom Camp: Restoring Hope, Dignity, and Equality

Welcome to our fundraising campaign, where we seek your support in making a tangible difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals living in the Gorom Refugee Camp located in South Sudan , this camp presents a challenging environment characterized by a hostile community, scarcity of water, and extreme climatic conditions. As LGBTQIA+ persons, we face relentless savage attacks, discrimination, violence, persecution, famine and torture from both host community and fellow refugees due to their hateful and homophobic beliefs. We are reaching out to compassionate individuals like you to help us overcome the immense hardships we endure and restore hope, dignity, and equality in our lives.

THE CHALLENGES WE FACE :

1. Violence and Discrimination: Living in a hostile environment, we confront daily threats to our safety and well-being solely because of our sexual orientation, identities and expression. Homophobic refugees and host community subject us to physical, emotional, and psychological violence, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination that exacerbates our suffering.

2. Unemployment and Economic Disadvantage: Discrimination extends to the job market and refugee centers, severely limiting employment opportunities for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The resulting unemployment further compounds our vulnerability and restricts access to essential resources and services.

3. Limited Access to Basic Necessities: The camp's harsh conditions pose additional challenges as we struggle with insufficient food, clothing, clean water, and vital nutrition. Basic necessities such as cooking essentials, toothpaste, and pads for lesbians are luxuries we often lack, leaving us in a perpetual state of hardship.

4. Health and Safety Risks: The semi-arid climate of Gorom Camp is host to sharp thornes and poisonous creatures, including snakes, endangering our lives on a daily basis. Access to proper medical care is limited, exposing us to various health risks and making it difficult to address both physical and mental health concerns.

Our call from you our fellow LGBTQIA+ people and well wishers

We are reaching out to you, kind-hearted individuals and organizations who recognize that love knows no boundaries. By contributing to our fundraising efforts, you can help alleviate the suffering of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Gorom Camp and restore hope in our lives. Your support, no matter how small, will have a meaningful impact on our vulnerable community. Together, we can effect positive change and foster an environment of acceptance, understanding, and equality.

Your generous contributions will help us provide essential resources such as food, clothing, clean water, cooking essentials, toiletries, and other daily necessities that are currently lacking in our lives. Together, we can ensure that no LGBTQIA+ person in Gorom Camp goes without these vital provisions.

Conclusion:

As members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we are forced to endure unimaginable hardships and discrimination in Gorom Refugee Camp.

Your support can make a difference by providing hope, dignity, and equality to LGBTQIA+ individuals who are suffering in silence. We seek for all your support , please share this information as you help us create a voice of awareness."

The money you donate will be collected by me, Aisling. I will then transfer the funds directly to Noel and the refugees. I have Noel's refugee documents and papers should you need to see them.