Duane's Naturalisation Fund
Donation protected
Hello all! After nearly 14yrs in the UK I'd like to finally naturalise as a British Citizen, but have always come up against the increasing hurdle that is the application fee. Most of my application is already in place, so this would be the last element before I'm able to send it off.
I would like to raise these funds and send off my application in March 2018 (which takes up to six months), and obtain Citizenship in time to make it to New York in November for the Garçon Grand House Ball where my voguing house (and surrogate family) will celebrate 10 years of ballroom excellence. I also hope to make it to some Sacred Harp singings along the way and be reunited with some old stateside friends from this wonderful community and, as with ballroom, experience this unique culture first hand in its original context. Finally, I will then be able to visit my mother in Arizona after over half a decade since we last saw each other, and spend Christmas with my older sister in Toronto whom I haven't seen since I gave her away at her wedding in 2008.
Having the opportunity to travel much more freely for work and pleasure would be a huge benefit, but more importantly I would love to finally be able to vote and have a voice within the country that I have counted as my home for so long. I feel like whenever I have been immersed in a community, be it Sacred Harp singing, Lucha Libre wrestling, or ballroom culture, I have always given back to the community and achieving tangible results, so I would love to be able to channel this energy into driving positive change for the LGBTQ+ community at large.
For everyone that has been part of my journey in the UK so far I am endlessly grateful for even the smallest part you’ve had to play in helping me to reach this point. A lesser version of me would have seen a long history of tiring, emotionally draining systemic hurdles, but now I’m able to see that these have been strengthening my character and fortitude for the exciting journey that now lies ahead. This one last hurdle looks like the simplest in comparison and with one little helping nudge from a lot of supportive hands I should easily be able to fly right over it. Thank you so much in advance and the biggest of hugs to you all!
I would like to raise these funds and send off my application in March 2018 (which takes up to six months), and obtain Citizenship in time to make it to New York in November for the Garçon Grand House Ball where my voguing house (and surrogate family) will celebrate 10 years of ballroom excellence. I also hope to make it to some Sacred Harp singings along the way and be reunited with some old stateside friends from this wonderful community and, as with ballroom, experience this unique culture first hand in its original context. Finally, I will then be able to visit my mother in Arizona after over half a decade since we last saw each other, and spend Christmas with my older sister in Toronto whom I haven't seen since I gave her away at her wedding in 2008.
Having the opportunity to travel much more freely for work and pleasure would be a huge benefit, but more importantly I would love to finally be able to vote and have a voice within the country that I have counted as my home for so long. I feel like whenever I have been immersed in a community, be it Sacred Harp singing, Lucha Libre wrestling, or ballroom culture, I have always given back to the community and achieving tangible results, so I would love to be able to channel this energy into driving positive change for the LGBTQ+ community at large.
For everyone that has been part of my journey in the UK so far I am endlessly grateful for even the smallest part you’ve had to play in helping me to reach this point. A lesser version of me would have seen a long history of tiring, emotionally draining systemic hurdles, but now I’m able to see that these have been strengthening my character and fortitude for the exciting journey that now lies ahead. This one last hurdle looks like the simplest in comparison and with one little helping nudge from a lot of supportive hands I should easily be able to fly right over it. Thank you so much in advance and the biggest of hugs to you all!
Organizer
Duane Nasis
Organizer
