Seeking a Better Life
Donation protected
Hello everyone,
My name is Sarkawt and I am writing to you from Portland, Oregon where I am working as an Arabic language instructor at Reed College and Lewis and Clark College. I am an Iraqi citizen born and raised in Baghdad, and a Muslim. Unfortunately, this is a part of the world where being gay is highly frowned upon, and it is for this reason I am asking for your help.
I have struggled with who I am for a very long time. With the values instilled in me since birth and the hatred society has for gay Muslims back in Iraq, I lived in constant fear of accepting myself. Even when I came to the United States on an exchange program three years ago, it took a long time before I could find the courage to think of myself as gay.
Two months ago, with the support of my friends, I finally came out as a gay man with the aspiration for a new beginning in life - a life where I no longer have to pretend who I am.
Once I made this decision, I called my family to explain but was immediately hung-up on. They would not hear me out, and now I am terrified to return home when my J-1 visa expires in June of 2017. Returning to Iraq would mean certain persecution or even death - possibly at the hands of my own family.
In order to remain in Portland beyond my obligated time with Reed and Lewis and Clark, I must hire an immigration lawyer to assist me with seeking asylum and petition for waiving the two-year home stay requirement and also to pay for my legal fees. The money required is staggering, which is why I have started this campaign. My hope is to embark on the journey of a new life, and I need your help to do so. It’s a race against time for me, and I will always be thankful and forever grateful for your assistance and generosity. Your support means everything to me.
Thank you so much!
My name is Sarkawt and I am writing to you from Portland, Oregon where I am working as an Arabic language instructor at Reed College and Lewis and Clark College. I am an Iraqi citizen born and raised in Baghdad, and a Muslim. Unfortunately, this is a part of the world where being gay is highly frowned upon, and it is for this reason I am asking for your help.
I have struggled with who I am for a very long time. With the values instilled in me since birth and the hatred society has for gay Muslims back in Iraq, I lived in constant fear of accepting myself. Even when I came to the United States on an exchange program three years ago, it took a long time before I could find the courage to think of myself as gay.
Two months ago, with the support of my friends, I finally came out as a gay man with the aspiration for a new beginning in life - a life where I no longer have to pretend who I am.
Once I made this decision, I called my family to explain but was immediately hung-up on. They would not hear me out, and now I am terrified to return home when my J-1 visa expires in June of 2017. Returning to Iraq would mean certain persecution or even death - possibly at the hands of my own family.
In order to remain in Portland beyond my obligated time with Reed and Lewis and Clark, I must hire an immigration lawyer to assist me with seeking asylum and petition for waiving the two-year home stay requirement and also to pay for my legal fees. The money required is staggering, which is why I have started this campaign. My hope is to embark on the journey of a new life, and I need your help to do so. It’s a race against time for me, and I will always be thankful and forever grateful for your assistance and generosity. Your support means everything to me.
Thank you so much!
Organizer
Sarky Sabir
Organizer
Portland, OR
