A DIVERSEcity story on an LGBTQ+ refugee during Pride Month and in advance of World Refugee Day this June
June is Pride Month, a time to honour stories of LGBTQ+ Canadians, including newcomers and those who fled to Canada for safety from persecution. Here is Tola’s story.
Tola* experienced many traumatic events, persecution and systemic oppression while living in his home country of Uganda because of his sexuality. As a gay man, Canada was a country he wanted to call home. He, like many other LGBTQ+ refugees, landed in Canada with idealized expectations of building a thriving and secure life. But the reality wasn’t that easy.
Having immigrated to Canada with his son, Tola faced many challenges, including struggling to find a good job. He found himself living in poverty, while facing social and cultural isolation, on top of serious health complications. He and his son were on the brink of being homeless.
Being a gay Black man, a refugee and a single father living in poverty with a permanent disability left Tola with little sense of belonging or worth.
DIVERSEcity’s LGBTQ+ services for newcomers
Enter DIVERSEcity’s one-on-one LGBTQ+ services, which helped Tola find an affordable one-bedroom apartment that was within his budget and offered the needed space for him and his son. Tola was also connected DIVERSEcity’s food security programs and its Together Now LGBTQ+ Newcomer Peer Support Group.
Tola’s active participation in Together Now showed him that he is not alone. “[DIVERSEcity] has given me an opportunity to understand and learn how to handle challenges that we as LGBTQ+ newcomers face in our daily lives,” says Tola. He says he now has an increased sense of belonging and feels like he’s part of something meaningful.
Learn more about our refugee and LGBTQ+ services here.
*Name changed for privacy. Stock photo used.