News / Pride Without Borders
Pride Without Borders’ fundraising appeal
An award-winning project that provides vital support and safety for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers is appealing for help to secure its future.
Pride Without Borders is a group that meets fortnightly to talk, share experiences, questions and challenges, in a non-judgemental, caring space, while also offering practical help and signposting to services.
Supported by Bristol Refugee Rights, the project has been running for four years and has grown to around 30 members, plus a strong team of volunteers, but it has no funding and faces an uncertain future.
is needed now More than ever
A fundraising appeal has been launched to coincide with Bristol Pride, with a target of £15,000 that would safeguard and expand its work.
“For the first time I feel I can be myself as I share the friendship of others in my social group,” says one member of Pride Without Borders.
“People should know that LGBT asylum seekers are people who have been persecuted and are afraid.”
LGBTQ+ people still face extreme persecution in many countries across the world and a number flee their homes to seek refuge, only to come up against the prejudice in Britain.
………………..
Read more: Rugby players’ attempt to stop gay teammate’s deportation
………………..
As refugees or asylum seekers, they have to navigate the “hostile” Home Office environment, and are often less likely to have the support of family, friends and a community around them.
Speaking about what the group means to them, one member said: “Bristol Pride Without Borders has given me back my dignity. I have not felt as safe in such a long time.”
Another member adds: “Being open is a very new experience to us, but bit by bit we are getting used to it and liking it.
“We just need to be accepted without always having to answer questions or made to feel guilty because of who we are.”
The projects provides vital support for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers
Tom Daly, of Bristol Refugee Rights, manages the project and says it has been developing work around exploring sexual orientation and gender identity, and building an increasingly resilient network of mutual support and solidarity.
“It is heartwarming to see how the members in this group look out for each other and the room is often filled with laughter,” he said.
“We have spent hours talking about the challenges of reconciling sexual identity with religion and culture.”
For the three weeks leading up to the main Pride Day on Saturday, July 13, Pride Without Borders will be running a series of Bhangra dance workshops and mask and costume-making sessions, while working to raise awareness of the project.
This will culminate in a Big Top performance on the Downs.
Pride Without Borders has plans to expand its work. The group wants to create more spaces for voices of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees to be heard and also offer training for professionals.
The group will be running workshops and performing at Bristol Pride
To find out more and donate, visit: www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/bristol-pride-without-borders-pwb?fbclid=IwAR2jHNOcmBVLsKYkogTlkKt4xBFoe3yl6VjApAWhOA6vWKyoa6SDbyj7Yhk
Read more: Bristol’s LGBTQ refugees
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
