Beyonce's New Beginning in Brooklyn
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Meet Bey
Hi there. My name is Damion Turner. I am a 27-year-old non-binary queer person (they/them) from Jamaica (otherwise known as Beyonce there). I’m now living in Brooklyn. Currently, I am awaiting pending asylum in the US. I have a good immigration attorney who is working on my case. I am also working on getting my high school diploma and am a member of the LGBTQIA organization Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (Q.D.E.P). I am unable to work at the moment, but my work authorization is pending for soon in 2020 (fingers crossed). So I’m reaching out here for some financial help as I work on my asylum case.
As a Black, non-binary, queer, asylum seeker, I'll honestly say that it's been a struggle to make it this far. I’m proud and grateful to be here now, and I’m hopeful that more of my goals and dreams will be possible here.
I was born in Jamaica and at age 13 I was thrown out of my home and community for being queer. I then had to start living on the streets and was homeless for over 10 years. I had to work very hard just to survive.
If you don’t know, Jamaica is a beautiful country, yes, but can be really dangerous for all queer/non-binary/trans people. Like me, there are many other queer youth that are rejected by families due to our sexual orientations and are forced to live in Kingston’s storm drains and on the street. Our lives were being constantly threatened. Several of my close friends have been murdered, some publicly, for being trans or queer.
You can see more of our story featured in these articles and documentaries:
Featured in the Jamaica episode of GAYCATION (with Ellen Page & Ian Daniel) docu-tv series
Huffington Post: These Are The Fearless LGBTQ Youth Who Live In Jamaica’s Sewers
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christo-geoghegan-gully-queen-photos_n_57c09c34e4b085c1ff29586f
VICE Young and Gay in Jamaica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILXVpFQVEbw
On the streets, I was often a voice for the group...a leader and a caretaker. I loved that I was able to be with and help my girls, but as you can see, I just didn’t think I would be able to survive or thrive in that environment. So my only option was to get out and to go through the asylum process. Also, I knew I had the potential to do much more with my life if I was given some opportunities for a good education and to make it.
In March 2019, I was legally presented at the Mexico border where I applied for my asylum based on LGBTQ persecution in my country. However, due to the Trump Administration's policy towards immigrants, asylum in the US has become a very difficult process. And shortly after my arrival, Covid19 hit NYC and postponed my asylum court hearing and created other unforeseen hurdles for me.
Since arriving in New York, I have been working hard studying and taking classes to get my GED (expecting to receive my diploma in September). My other goal then is to further my education by working on a course to become a health provider and help others using my personal experience and past occupation as a peer educator.
With so much uncertainty for everyone during the Coronavirus, we as "Undocumented Immigrants" have been plunged into even harder devastation. This status in itself doesn't allow me to access or obtain any financial government aid or benefits and the City of New York. My work authorization which was initially scheduled to be delivered within three to six months has now been extending to eight to ten months despite the fact that I paid four hundred and ten dollars ($410) to expedite the process. The Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) has canceled all their Master Court hearings and is yet to reschedule anymore court dates. But I’m hopeful all of this will get moving again soon.
I’m asking for some assistance now to help sustain me while I work on my courses until I get my official work permit and an official court date for asylum.
I've worked so hard to get here. I really believe with my continued hard work, perseverance, and open heart that I can make a new, safe life here in the US and that won't have to return back to the streets of Jamaica.
My goals and a desire for change are what's keeping me strong. I also wish to be a good example for other Black, queer/non-binary/undocumented immigrants...living a life of freedom to be our true authentic selves.
A note from the organizers (Sophia, Danny, Ian)
FYI **Danny Miller manages all donations from gofundme and money for Damion while Damion awaits their ss # and permit.
We've been working with Damion over the past year. We have been helping to raise and manage money for them and help with their asylum status and needs there. Damion has a strong plan in place for his future. Now we are asking for financial assistance to keep them grounded and secure through the next year.
Damion always has had practical goals, works hard towards them, and has been able to meet them. The money we have helped raise in the past has been put towards housing, food, clothes, and education.
We have just secured Damion a nice room in Brooklyn with money raised.
We are now raising money to keep them stable there for up to a year while they work on studies, as their asylum case is in process.
Now we are in need of funding for the following:
6 months of rent security ($750 a month all utilities included)
Food and living needs
Legal fees
Education and Patient Care Technician course (around $2500)
Thank you for any and all assistance and love you can give!
Love Beyonce and team
Hi there. My name is Damion Turner. I am a 27-year-old non-binary queer person (they/them) from Jamaica (otherwise known as Beyonce there). I’m now living in Brooklyn. Currently, I am awaiting pending asylum in the US. I have a good immigration attorney who is working on my case. I am also working on getting my high school diploma and am a member of the LGBTQIA organization Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (Q.D.E.P). I am unable to work at the moment, but my work authorization is pending for soon in 2020 (fingers crossed). So I’m reaching out here for some financial help as I work on my asylum case.
As a Black, non-binary, queer, asylum seeker, I'll honestly say that it's been a struggle to make it this far. I’m proud and grateful to be here now, and I’m hopeful that more of my goals and dreams will be possible here.
I was born in Jamaica and at age 13 I was thrown out of my home and community for being queer. I then had to start living on the streets and was homeless for over 10 years. I had to work very hard just to survive.
If you don’t know, Jamaica is a beautiful country, yes, but can be really dangerous for all queer/non-binary/trans people. Like me, there are many other queer youth that are rejected by families due to our sexual orientations and are forced to live in Kingston’s storm drains and on the street. Our lives were being constantly threatened. Several of my close friends have been murdered, some publicly, for being trans or queer.
You can see more of our story featured in these articles and documentaries:
Featured in the Jamaica episode of GAYCATION (with Ellen Page & Ian Daniel) docu-tv series
Huffington Post: These Are The Fearless LGBTQ Youth Who Live In Jamaica’s Sewers
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christo-geoghegan-gully-queen-photos_n_57c09c34e4b085c1ff29586f
VICE Young and Gay in Jamaica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILXVpFQVEbw
On the streets, I was often a voice for the group...a leader and a caretaker. I loved that I was able to be with and help my girls, but as you can see, I just didn’t think I would be able to survive or thrive in that environment. So my only option was to get out and to go through the asylum process. Also, I knew I had the potential to do much more with my life if I was given some opportunities for a good education and to make it.
In March 2019, I was legally presented at the Mexico border where I applied for my asylum based on LGBTQ persecution in my country. However, due to the Trump Administration's policy towards immigrants, asylum in the US has become a very difficult process. And shortly after my arrival, Covid19 hit NYC and postponed my asylum court hearing and created other unforeseen hurdles for me.
Since arriving in New York, I have been working hard studying and taking classes to get my GED (expecting to receive my diploma in September). My other goal then is to further my education by working on a course to become a health provider and help others using my personal experience and past occupation as a peer educator.
With so much uncertainty for everyone during the Coronavirus, we as "Undocumented Immigrants" have been plunged into even harder devastation. This status in itself doesn't allow me to access or obtain any financial government aid or benefits and the City of New York. My work authorization which was initially scheduled to be delivered within three to six months has now been extending to eight to ten months despite the fact that I paid four hundred and ten dollars ($410) to expedite the process. The Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) has canceled all their Master Court hearings and is yet to reschedule anymore court dates. But I’m hopeful all of this will get moving again soon.
I’m asking for some assistance now to help sustain me while I work on my courses until I get my official work permit and an official court date for asylum.
I've worked so hard to get here. I really believe with my continued hard work, perseverance, and open heart that I can make a new, safe life here in the US and that won't have to return back to the streets of Jamaica.
My goals and a desire for change are what's keeping me strong. I also wish to be a good example for other Black, queer/non-binary/undocumented immigrants...living a life of freedom to be our true authentic selves.
A note from the organizers (Sophia, Danny, Ian)
FYI **Danny Miller manages all donations from gofundme and money for Damion while Damion awaits their ss # and permit.
We've been working with Damion over the past year. We have been helping to raise and manage money for them and help with their asylum status and needs there. Damion has a strong plan in place for his future. Now we are asking for financial assistance to keep them grounded and secure through the next year.
Damion always has had practical goals, works hard towards them, and has been able to meet them. The money we have helped raise in the past has been put towards housing, food, clothes, and education.
We have just secured Damion a nice room in Brooklyn with money raised.
We are now raising money to keep them stable there for up to a year while they work on studies, as their asylum case is in process.
Now we are in need of funding for the following:
6 months of rent security ($750 a month all utilities included)
Food and living needs
Legal fees
Education and Patient Care Technician course (around $2500)
Thank you for any and all assistance and love you can give!
Love Beyonce and team
Organizer
Sophia Marie
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY