Religion: Providing Refuge

Providing Refuge

A church group in Massachusetts opens a permanent home for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

BY REV. CATHERINE DEARLOVE

In the current climate of polarization and hostility towards the LGBT community and asylum seekers, it is unusual to see anything being birthed that would support either of these disenfranchised groups of people. However, the LGBT Asylum Task Force (LGBTATF) has had a ministry that helps LGBTQ asylum seekers from all faith groups for 14 years.

LGBTATF is a ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC in Worcester, Massachusetts that welcomes LGBTQ asylum seekers of all faith traditions.

This program started in 2008 with a welcome to one Jamaican gay asylum seeker who was referred to them by someone who had heard this church supported marriage equality. The community set about providing him with support, housing, clothing and other things that he needed to settle into the community until he was able to support himself. It has now leapfrogged into helping over 400 LGBT asylum seekers from more than 20 countries in the past 14 years.

A new asylum seeker is not allowed to work in the USA until all their paperwork has been approved which can sometimes take longer than two years. This means they are on their own from a governmental perspective once they are allowed in the country. When asylum seekers flee their country, while they may feel safe from the dangers of their home country, they are then faced with new concerns such as how to start again, how to navigate a new country and sometimes in a language that is not their first. This is where LGBTATF steps in. This program offers support on different levels including a stipend, links to healthcare, legal and other resources in the community to those who have had to flee their countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

According to humandignitytrust.com, there are still 71 jurisdictions that criminalize private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity and at least 11 jurisdictions in which the death penalty is imposed or at least a possibility for private, consensual same-sex sexual activity. This does not include where it is criminalized for being transgender or the number of countries where violence is the only response to people who are LGBT. [See Sidebar]

The program used to cost about $32,000 a month to lease apartments around town and the program was becoming more and more expensive. After a huge fundraising push with private donations, grants and the LGBTATF’s annual gala, they were able to purchase their own building in August 2020. Renovations started in January 2021 and while there is ongoing work needed, the house is in full use. This purchase has reduced costs and gives them a greater opportunity to not only offer housing to asylum seekers but also a sense of community. There are rooms for 9 occupants and each room was fitted out by donations. When asylum seekers come to the USA, they have often lost their connection with family and friends, who along with police, have demonized them. While financial and practical help is critical, having a community to settle into that is safe, with others who have gone through a similar experience, can be the balm that is needed to help with the emotional trauma each person has gone through.

“This house is proof of the possibilities that exist when thousands of people do more than just offer thoughts and prayers and choose to step forward in their care for society’s marginalized communities,” said LGBTATF Ministry Director Al Green in “Harvey: A tour of the house that love built” by Janice Harvey, published in Worchester Magazine. “From realtors to community supporters, there have been thousands of folks who have played integral roles in getting us to this point.”

When we welcome our neighbor, it is like giving someone a fish, if we do not teach them to fish, then they will keep needing fish and never be independent. This ministry, through workshops and the right support, helps asylum seekers to establish their identity in the USA and teaches them what their rights are so they can become independent and build their life anew.

A welcome to a stranger is so much more than “hello” and this ministry is the epitome of how to live into the Golden Rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” When you have nothing, your need is for more than a hello; LGBTATF recognized that and stepped above and beyond the plate bring optimism in a time where it is very difficult.

REV. CATHERINE DEARLOVE is Senior Pastor at Trinity MCC in Gainesville, Florida. Although a Christian minister, she has a strong appreciation for all journeys of faith or philosophy and wrote her Masters dissertation on Inter-religious Dialogue. She is currently the Chair of the Campus Multifaith Cooperative at UF and coordinates the Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance. Rev Catherine has lived in the UK, Australia and now USA and has spent most of her life as a social justice warrior and advocate for the integration of sexuality and spirituality. Rev Catherine believes faith is a journey and should never be static.