Help At Risk LGBTQ Folks Find Urgent Safety

My dear friend Melvin desperately needs our help.

Melvin runs a safe space for LGBTQ+ people in South Sudan. Due to the current conflict displacing millions, and the dangerously homophobic government him and his community need to evacuate their current placement as it has become very unsafe.

Here is Melvins story in his own words:

“Hello world, let me hope you are doing well. My name is Melvin, and I’m originally from Uganda, but I am currently living in a refugee camp in South Sudan where I stand as one of the pillars of support to my fellow lgbt refugees. I fled my home country because I feared for my life after being physically attacked, arrested, tortured, and repeatedly threatened with death simply because of who I am. Life became even more dangerous after President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which forced many LGBT Ugandans, including myself, to flee and seek safety in neighboring countries. I first ran to Kenya, where I reached out to the Red Cross, who helped connect me with UNHCR. Through their support, I was relocated to Kalobeyei Refugee Camp in northern Kenya. There, I found around 1,300 LGBT refugees among a population of over 25,000 from various countries. Sadly, my arrival didn’t bring the safety I had hoped for.

I endured homophobic attacks, mental health struggles, violence, isolation, and many other hardships that nearly cost me my life. Desperate for a better future, I made the difficult decision to travel to South Sudan, where I currently reside. Upon arrival, I connected with an organization called Across, which helped me enter a refugee camp. Here, I found about 480 LGBT refugees. Unfortunately, the challenges haven’t stopped. As LGBT refugees, we continue to face daily violence, isolation, imprisonment, and homophobic and transphobic attacks. The most painful part is the denial of basic needs we are often left without adequate food, healthcare, sanitary supplies, and are discriminated against to the point where we can’t even work to support ourselves.”

I understand there is so much happening in the world right now and it may feel hopeless at times. But by donating to Melvins campaign please know you are saving countless queer lives. As pride month is approaching this would be a beautiful way to give back to the LGBTQ+ community.