Tomas and Jesse Immigration Case Fund

In September 2022, I officiated the wedding of my best friends, Tomas and Jesse. Being gay and from such an oppressive state as Russia, Tomas and I never thought we'd find love (I'm not even talking about getting married!). Tomas was the first openly gay person I met more than 10 years ago who showed me there's nothing wrong with being queer, being different, in a world where everyone wants you to be "normal."

After filing for asylum in the US and not being able to see his family for almost a decade, Tomas can finally apply for a green card. Unfortunately, the lawyer and government filing fees are a burden for Tomas and Jesse to finally make this step and become a permanent resident. Having pending asylum case adds legal complexities and requires an attorney's help. All the funds raised will go toward covering those fees. I'm extremely happy to help the kindest people I know who have such impactful (and not very high-paying) jobs: Jesse is at God's Love We Deliver, a non-profit that feeds thousands of people every day who are not able to leave their homes, and Tomas works on social justice documentary films. Witnessing them fall in love with one another is pure joy. I hope together we can support their new family and help them overcome the financial burden.