LGBT+ Refugee Sponsorship
Donation protected
On J’s Side: Help an LGBT+ Refugee Settle in Canada
We are a refugee sponsorship group called “On J’s Side.” We are sponsoring J, a 34-year-old person from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who identifies with the LGBT community, to claim refugee status in Canada. J’s situation is unique: he is in danger of being deported from Hong Kong, but his application for Canada is currently underway. Please help us raise $30,826 for his settlement in Vancouver! His goal is to build a better life in Canada and pay the amount forward to help other asylum seekers. He has been through many mental and physical hardships, but he is not broken, and he wants to be the hope and light for others who have suffered the same oppression.
To protect the privacy of J, all personally identifiable details are excluded. Gender violence is a serious matter. To learn more about J's story feel free to contact us.
J’s Story
J grew up in a conservative family and faced various types of physical and mental abuse by family and community members when his sexuality was discovered. He was prescribed “conversion therapy” in an attempt to alter his sexual orientation. These unproven methods of care have contributed to J’s depression and life-long trauma. Under increasingly dangerous circumstances, J sought to escape.
During his escape, his conversion to the Christian faith has played a major role in his life and has led him to friends, shelters, and possibilities in his journey. His faith gave him the motivation to survive and the tenacity to endure the worst of circumstances.
For nine years, J was forced to drift from country to country in the MENA region, but on account of his sexuality, he was met with further physical violence. Under the recommendation of local humanitarian organizations, he bought a plane ticket out of the region, arriving in Hong Kong in 2016.
What’s Wrong with His Status in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong did not sign the UN Refugee Convention in 1951, giving the government rights to deport asylum seekers regardless of the difficulty of their circumstances. With the help of various local NGOs and inclusive churches, we have lodged a claim against the government to help J establish refugee status in Hong Kong under humanitarian concerns. He can only be referred to another country for resettlement assisted by UNHCR if he is granted refugee status.
Unfortunately, the Hong Kong government is not concerned about or sympathetic towards his situation. For the last two and a half years, J’s case has been repeatedly rejected. The final appeal is approaching in October 2018, making it a matter of urgency. His lawyers have projected that he may likely lose his case. If so, J will immediately be deported back to his country of birth, where he faces the dangers he was originally forced to escape from.
His only hope is to resettle as a refugee in Canada through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.
Oct 3rd, 2017
New York Times - Egypt Expands Crackdown on Gay and Transgender People
Jun 18th, 2018
NPR - After Crackdown, Egypt's LGBT Community Contemplates 'Dark Future'
Jul 21st, 2018
Buzzfeed - This man was jailed for raising the rainbow flag
About Us: On J’s Side
We are a group of volunteers and sponsors from Hong Kong and Canada. We are a diverse group consisting of NGO staff, entrepreneurs, students, and teachers.
Alan ⧫ Amanda ⧫ Carven ⧫ Doriane ⧫ Elizabeth ⧫ Frances. ⧫ Jacob ⧫ Mark ⧫ Orton ⧫ Rick ⧫ Trevor
About Our Partner: Rainbow Refugee Committee
Rainbow Refugee partners with the United Church of Canada (UCC) in this process as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with the Government of Canada.
Founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee is a Vancouver based community group that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status.
Rainbow Refugee is a registered non-profit organization in BC and a registered charity with the CRA.
Where will the funds go?
The money that we raise will be withdrawn by Alan Hau, one of the sponsors in this campaign. The entire amount will be transferred to Rainbow Refugee via wire transfer. The funds will be held in escrow by Rainbow Refugee in Canada. All funds will go directly towards J’s living expenses, to be disbursed monthly for the duration of 12 months.
Tax Receipts
Canadian Residents
Rainbow Refugee can issue tax receipts for donations of $25 or more.
Hong Kong Residents
Blessed Ministry Community Church, J’s spiritual home, can issue a donation receipt for any amounts for tax deduction purposes.
In order to receive a tax receipt, you must provide your email when you donate. We will contact you for your address and full name once the campaign is complete so that the respective organizations can issue the tax receipt.
Budget Breakdown
One-Time Expenses:
Travel to Canada $1,300
Clothing $750
Furniture $1,500
Household utilities setup (cell phone, internet, etc.) $800
Identification costs $200
Education costs (English classes and books) $500
---
Total One Time Expenses: $5,050
Monthly Costs for J's First Year:
Shelter / rent $1,200
Household utilities $120
Transportation $128
Living allowance (food, cell phone, incidentals including medical, etc.) $700
---
Total Monthly Costs: $ 2,148 monthly
*estimates from Numbeo
Total GoFundMe Budget:
Total One Time Expenses $5,050
Total Monthly Costs for 12 Months: $2,100 x 12 = 25,776
Total GoFundMe Budget: $30,826
<<< Any funds donated over the goal will go towards helping J resettle in Canada. >>>
Special mention to these allies and organizations without whom the campaign wouldn’t have been possible.
Blessed Ministry Community Church / BMCC 基恩之家
Society of True Light 真光社
St. Hilda’s Anglican Church (Sechelt, BC, Canada)
St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
Sleep Wooven
... And everyone who has been fighting for LGBTI rights in Asia & MENA, the next frontier in gender equality.
【與J同行】：支援同志難民到加拿大生活
我們是一個倡議支援難民的組織，名為 “On J’s Side”，中文譯名為「與J同行」。我們現正支援J，一名34歲，來至中東和北非的同志，申請到加拿大作難民。J的情況有別於其他尋求政治避難者，他隨時可被香港政府遺返，但有幸地，他申請到加拿大作難民的手續已進行得如火如荼。我們需要你的幫忙，為他籌加幣$30,250，讓他到溫哥華加拿大生活。他期望可以在加拿大過一個不被壓迫的生活，和幫助其他有需要的尋求政治避難者。他經歷了不少精神上與肉體上的苦難，但他的意志仍是堅定的，而且他對未來還是充滿期盼，同時盼望他的故事能成為其他類似經歷的人士的一絲曙光。
由於我們需要保護J的私隱，所以，所有可以辨識出他的資料將被删除。性別暴力是一個很嚴重的事情。若要更多關於J的故事，歡迎與我們聯絡。
J的故事
他來自一個保守的穆斯林家庭。當他仍是青少年的時候，他家人發現他的性傾向，並以「拗直治療」的名義，對他施行身體上和精神上的折磨。深明這些所謂的治療無助改變他的性傾向，他從家人手中逃走。他的家人決定與他斷絕關係，並用宗教律例恐嚇要把他處死。失去了家庭的他，決定投向基督教，並開始了九年在中東和北非流浪的日子。但這些國家的風俗和信仰大多不接受同志，他經歷了一次又一次身體上的暴力。最後，在一個當地的慈善團體的建議下，他買了一張離開那個地區的機票，並於2016年抵達香港。
在香港，他的地位有什麼問題？
香港並沒有簽署1951年聯合國的難民公約，所以香港政府有權把尋求政治避難者遺返。我們現時與幾個本地的非牟利團體和接待同志的教會，向政府提出抗議，並申請承認他的難民身分，因為沒有了這個身分，聯合國難民公署不能也不會轉介他到其他接待難民的國家生活。
不幸地，香港政府對他的情況並不表同情。過去的兩年內，J的申請被一次又一次的拒絕、推翻。最終的上訴將於今年的十月定案，使他的情況陷入迫切的困境。代表他的律師已預測他的案件將會被再一次推翻。若然如此，J將很可能會被即時遺返，回到他出生，被家人唾棄恐嚇，和他剛想盡辦法逃離的國家。
現時，他唯一的希望是可以透過「私營贊助難民計劃」，重置到加拿大生活。
相關新聞：
2017年10月3日
New York Times - Egypt Expands Crackdown on Gay and Transgender People
2018年6月18日
NPR - After Crackdown, Egypt's LGBT Community Contemplates 'Dark Future'
2018年7月21日
Buzzfeed - This man was jailed for raising the rainbow flag
有關我們：
我們是一群來自香港和加拿大的自願者和支援者。我們來自不同的組織，包括非牟利團體的職員、企業家、學生和老師。
有關我們的合作夥伴：
Rainbow Refugee聯同United Church of Canada (UCC)，成為了一個支助協議持份者(Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH))，與加拿大政府合作。
Rainbow Refugee 成立於2000年，其組織為在溫哥華一帶為因為他/她們的性傾向、性別認同或性別表達而遭受到打壓的同志難民提供協助。此機構是一個被加拿大稅務局認可的慈善團體，同時是一個於卑詩省的非牟利團體。
捐款會到那裡？
我們籌慕到的經費將會被我們其中一員，Alan Hau，提取，然後全數以電滙形式轉到Rainbow Refugee。此款項會以第三者保管的形式寄存在加拿大的Rainbow Refugee。所籌得款項將以每月發放的形式，直接用作J在加拿大頭12個月的生活費。
退稅安排
加拿大居民：
Rainbow Refugee將會為加幣$25或以上的捐款提供收據，以作退稅之用。
香港居民：
基恩之家，J於香港的屬靈家庭，將為任何金額的捐款提供收據，以作減稅之用。
如你本人在教會，請把捐款放入捐款信寫上個人資料並註明 : 與J同行。
若要享有稅務優惠，請於捐款時提供你的電子郵件信箱。我們會於此籌款活動完結時，與你聯絡，以取得你的地址和全名，好讓有關機構可為你預備相關收據。
詳細財政預算：
一次性費用：
到加拿大的旅費 $1,300
衣物 $750
傢私 $1,500
安裝家居電訊網絡 $800
身分證費用 $200
教育費用(如英文班與書籍) $500
--------------------------------------------
總一次性費用開支 $5,050
首年每月生活費：
租金 $1,200
家居電訊網絡月費 $120
交通費 $128
其他生活雜費* $700
--------------------------------------------
每月生活費總開支 $2,148
*包括食物、手提電話網絡、其他事件如醫療等
總GoFundMe預算：
總一次性費用： $5,050
一年生活費總開支 $25,776 （向下調，即 $2,100 x 12 個月）
--------------------------------------------
總GoFundMe預算 $30,826
《《《若是次籌得款項多於目標金額，將全數用作協助J 在加拿大重置生活。》》》
特別鳴謝以下機構：
Blessed Ministry Community Church / BMCC 基恩之家
Society of True Light 真光社
St. Hilda’s Anglican Church (Sechelt, BC, Canada)
St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
Sleep Wooven
...和所有一直努力為爭取同志群體權利和利益的每一位。
We are a refugee sponsorship group called “On J’s Side.” We are sponsoring J, a 34-year-old person from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who identifies with the LGBT community, to claim refugee status in Canada. J’s situation is unique: he is in danger of being deported from Hong Kong, but his application for Canada is currently underway. Please help us raise $30,826 for his settlement in Vancouver! His goal is to build a better life in Canada and pay the amount forward to help other asylum seekers. He has been through many mental and physical hardships, but he is not broken, and he wants to be the hope and light for others who have suffered the same oppression.
To protect the privacy of J, all personally identifiable details are excluded. Gender violence is a serious matter. To learn more about J's story feel free to contact us.
J’s Story
J grew up in a conservative family and faced various types of physical and mental abuse by family and community members when his sexuality was discovered. He was prescribed “conversion therapy” in an attempt to alter his sexual orientation. These unproven methods of care have contributed to J’s depression and life-long trauma. Under increasingly dangerous circumstances, J sought to escape.
During his escape, his conversion to the Christian faith has played a major role in his life and has led him to friends, shelters, and possibilities in his journey. His faith gave him the motivation to survive and the tenacity to endure the worst of circumstances.
For nine years, J was forced to drift from country to country in the MENA region, but on account of his sexuality, he was met with further physical violence. Under the recommendation of local humanitarian organizations, he bought a plane ticket out of the region, arriving in Hong Kong in 2016.
What’s Wrong with His Status in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong did not sign the UN Refugee Convention in 1951, giving the government rights to deport asylum seekers regardless of the difficulty of their circumstances. With the help of various local NGOs and inclusive churches, we have lodged a claim against the government to help J establish refugee status in Hong Kong under humanitarian concerns. He can only be referred to another country for resettlement assisted by UNHCR if he is granted refugee status.
Unfortunately, the Hong Kong government is not concerned about or sympathetic towards his situation. For the last two and a half years, J’s case has been repeatedly rejected. The final appeal is approaching in October 2018, making it a matter of urgency. His lawyers have projected that he may likely lose his case. If so, J will immediately be deported back to his country of birth, where he faces the dangers he was originally forced to escape from.
His only hope is to resettle as a refugee in Canada through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.
Oct 3rd, 2017
New York Times - Egypt Expands Crackdown on Gay and Transgender People
Jun 18th, 2018
NPR - After Crackdown, Egypt's LGBT Community Contemplates 'Dark Future'
Jul 21st, 2018
Buzzfeed - This man was jailed for raising the rainbow flag
About Us: On J’s Side
We are a group of volunteers and sponsors from Hong Kong and Canada. We are a diverse group consisting of NGO staff, entrepreneurs, students, and teachers.
Alan ⧫ Amanda ⧫ Carven ⧫ Doriane ⧫ Elizabeth ⧫ Frances. ⧫ Jacob ⧫ Mark ⧫ Orton ⧫ Rick ⧫ Trevor
About Our Partner: Rainbow Refugee Committee
Rainbow Refugee partners with the United Church of Canada (UCC) in this process as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with the Government of Canada.
Founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee is a Vancouver based community group that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status.
Rainbow Refugee is a registered non-profit organization in BC and a registered charity with the CRA.
Where will the funds go?
The money that we raise will be withdrawn by Alan Hau, one of the sponsors in this campaign. The entire amount will be transferred to Rainbow Refugee via wire transfer. The funds will be held in escrow by Rainbow Refugee in Canada. All funds will go directly towards J’s living expenses, to be disbursed monthly for the duration of 12 months.
Tax Receipts
Canadian Residents
Rainbow Refugee can issue tax receipts for donations of $25 or more.
Hong Kong Residents
Blessed Ministry Community Church, J’s spiritual home, can issue a donation receipt for any amounts for tax deduction purposes.
In order to receive a tax receipt, you must provide your email when you donate. We will contact you for your address and full name once the campaign is complete so that the respective organizations can issue the tax receipt.
Budget Breakdown
One-Time Expenses:
Travel to Canada $1,300
Clothing $750
Furniture $1,500
Household utilities setup (cell phone, internet, etc.) $800
Identification costs $200
Education costs (English classes and books) $500
---
Total One Time Expenses: $5,050
Monthly Costs for J's First Year:
Shelter / rent $1,200
Household utilities $120
Transportation $128
Living allowance (food, cell phone, incidentals including medical, etc.) $700
---
Total Monthly Costs: $ 2,148 monthly
*estimates from Numbeo
Total GoFundMe Budget:
Total One Time Expenses $5,050
Total Monthly Costs for 12 Months: $2,100 x 12 = 25,776
Total GoFundMe Budget: $30,826
<<< Any funds donated over the goal will go towards helping J resettle in Canada. >>>
Special mention to these allies and organizations without whom the campaign wouldn’t have been possible.
Blessed Ministry Community Church / BMCC 基恩之家
Society of True Light 真光社
St. Hilda’s Anglican Church (Sechelt, BC, Canada)
St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
Sleep Wooven
... And everyone who has been fighting for LGBTI rights in Asia & MENA, the next frontier in gender equality.
【與J同行】：支援同志難民到加拿大生活
我們是一個倡議支援難民的組織，名為 “On J’s Side”，中文譯名為「與J同行」。我們現正支援J，一名34歲，來至中東和北非的同志，申請到加拿大作難民。J的情況有別於其他尋求政治避難者，他隨時可被香港政府遺返，但有幸地，他申請到加拿大作難民的手續已進行得如火如荼。我們需要你的幫忙，為他籌加幣$30,250，讓他到溫哥華加拿大生活。他期望可以在加拿大過一個不被壓迫的生活，和幫助其他有需要的尋求政治避難者。他經歷了不少精神上與肉體上的苦難，但他的意志仍是堅定的，而且他對未來還是充滿期盼，同時盼望他的故事能成為其他類似經歷的人士的一絲曙光。
由於我們需要保護J的私隱，所以，所有可以辨識出他的資料將被删除。性別暴力是一個很嚴重的事情。若要更多關於J的故事，歡迎與我們聯絡。
J的故事
他來自一個保守的穆斯林家庭。當他仍是青少年的時候，他家人發現他的性傾向，並以「拗直治療」的名義，對他施行身體上和精神上的折磨。深明這些所謂的治療無助改變他的性傾向，他從家人手中逃走。他的家人決定與他斷絕關係，並用宗教律例恐嚇要把他處死。失去了家庭的他，決定投向基督教，並開始了九年在中東和北非流浪的日子。但這些國家的風俗和信仰大多不接受同志，他經歷了一次又一次身體上的暴力。最後，在一個當地的慈善團體的建議下，他買了一張離開那個地區的機票，並於2016年抵達香港。
在香港，他的地位有什麼問題？
香港並沒有簽署1951年聯合國的難民公約，所以香港政府有權把尋求政治避難者遺返。我們現時與幾個本地的非牟利團體和接待同志的教會，向政府提出抗議，並申請承認他的難民身分，因為沒有了這個身分，聯合國難民公署不能也不會轉介他到其他接待難民的國家生活。
不幸地，香港政府對他的情況並不表同情。過去的兩年內，J的申請被一次又一次的拒絕、推翻。最終的上訴將於今年的十月定案，使他的情況陷入迫切的困境。代表他的律師已預測他的案件將會被再一次推翻。若然如此，J將很可能會被即時遺返，回到他出生，被家人唾棄恐嚇，和他剛想盡辦法逃離的國家。
現時，他唯一的希望是可以透過「私營贊助難民計劃」，重置到加拿大生活。
相關新聞：
2017年10月3日
New York Times - Egypt Expands Crackdown on Gay and Transgender People
2018年6月18日
NPR - After Crackdown, Egypt's LGBT Community Contemplates 'Dark Future'
2018年7月21日
Buzzfeed - This man was jailed for raising the rainbow flag
有關我們：
我們是一群來自香港和加拿大的自願者和支援者。我們來自不同的組織，包括非牟利團體的職員、企業家、學生和老師。
有關我們的合作夥伴：
Rainbow Refugee聯同United Church of Canada (UCC)，成為了一個支助協議持份者(Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH))，與加拿大政府合作。
Rainbow Refugee 成立於2000年，其組織為在溫哥華一帶為因為他/她們的性傾向、性別認同或性別表達而遭受到打壓的同志難民提供協助。此機構是一個被加拿大稅務局認可的慈善團體，同時是一個於卑詩省的非牟利團體。
捐款會到那裡？
我們籌慕到的經費將會被我們其中一員，Alan Hau，提取，然後全數以電滙形式轉到Rainbow Refugee。此款項會以第三者保管的形式寄存在加拿大的Rainbow Refugee。所籌得款項將以每月發放的形式，直接用作J在加拿大頭12個月的生活費。
退稅安排
加拿大居民：
Rainbow Refugee將會為加幣$25或以上的捐款提供收據，以作退稅之用。
香港居民：
基恩之家，J於香港的屬靈家庭，將為任何金額的捐款提供收據，以作減稅之用。
如你本人在教會，請把捐款放入捐款信寫上個人資料並註明 : 與J同行。
若要享有稅務優惠，請於捐款時提供你的電子郵件信箱。我們會於此籌款活動完結時，與你聯絡，以取得你的地址和全名，好讓有關機構可為你預備相關收據。
詳細財政預算：
一次性費用：
到加拿大的旅費 $1,300
衣物 $750
傢私 $1,500
安裝家居電訊網絡 $800
身分證費用 $200
教育費用(如英文班與書籍) $500
--------------------------------------------
總一次性費用開支 $5,050
首年每月生活費：
租金 $1,200
家居電訊網絡月費 $120
交通費 $128
其他生活雜費* $700
--------------------------------------------
每月生活費總開支 $2,148
*包括食物、手提電話網絡、其他事件如醫療等
總GoFundMe預算：
總一次性費用： $5,050
一年生活費總開支 $25,776 （向下調，即 $2,100 x 12 個月）
--------------------------------------------
總GoFundMe預算 $30,826
《《《若是次籌得款項多於目標金額，將全數用作協助J 在加拿大重置生活。》》》
特別鳴謝以下機構：
Blessed Ministry Community Church / BMCC 基恩之家
Society of True Light 真光社
St. Hilda’s Anglican Church (Sechelt, BC, Canada)
St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
Sleep Wooven
...和所有一直努力為爭取同志群體權利和利益的每一位。
Organizer
Alan Hau
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
