I was hoping it would not come to this, but I am making the GoFundMe public today. The newest update has some important information but I will explain everything in this post.
I was born in El Salvador, to parents who are textbook fascists and in a society that is extremely hostile to LGBT+ people of all kinds.
Fortunately, Canada recognizes the situation in El Salvador and has a reputation for protecting those of less fortunate countries, as well as being a relatively progressive place that is much, much safer for people like me than El Salvador is.
Near the very start of 2014, I managed to deceive my parents into thinking I wanted to study in Canada, which, after a lot of effort and preparation, eventually resulted in me being able to come here as a student.
What they don’t know is that I am transgender and pansexual, and I have now started the process of making a refugee claim.
However, even the amounts that I saved up in preparation for this event would not have been enough to cover the lawyer’s fees.
So now I need additional money to be spent as follows:
$2500 as payment for the lawyer who is helping me with the refugee claim. I already made the initial payment of $1000 out of my own savings, but I cannot pay the full amount on my own.
$1100~ to cover all transportation costs that could come up. This would include at least five long trips. The first to leave this city and go to my husband, where I will stay until it is time for the hearing. The second trip is back to my current city in order for the lawyer to prepare me for the hearing. The third trip is the return trip from that. The fourth trip is to reach the city my hearing will be held at. The fifth trip is also a return trip.
The distances covered in each of these are not trivial and each trip will take up the better part of a day. Unsurprisingly, they are not cheap.
Additional money is welcome and would help finance things like larger traveling bags and post expenses (particularly those to help with the move by sending boxes of my belongings over to my husband).
If the claim is successful, I will be able to stay in Canada as a refugee and live safely with my husband. I will eventually qualify to apply for citizenship as well. Most of the work on this is already done. I just need some help for this last push.
If it fails and I haven’t given up by then, I might need additional funds to begin the alternative plans.
