Association for New Canadians working to create welcoming space for LGBTQ refugees in N.L.

The group is also hoping to sponsor fiveLGBTQ immigrants into the province, with the goal of raising $20K per person for a year.

Group raising money to help pay for 'all the basics of life'

CBC News Posted: Aug 15, 2021 3:46 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 16, 2021

Suzy Haghighi, director of settlement services with the Association for New Canadians, says the group is launching Welcome Rainbow to help create a safe and welcoming environment forLGBTQ immigrants and refugees. (Emma Grunwald/CBC)

A new project launched by the Association forNew Canadiansis working to create a safe and welcoming environment forLGBTQimmigrants and refugees coming into Newfoundland and Labrador.

The association is working with the Rainbow Refugees Association of Nova Scotiato create Welcome Rainbow, which will develop training for staff andorientation sessions for those arriving inthe province.

"Learning about the services and supports that are available, whether they are LGBTQ-plusidentifying or if they are family, friends or allies,"Suzy Haghighi, the association'sdirector of settlement services, said Sunday.

The group is also hoping to sponsor fiveLGBTQimmigrants into the province, with the goal of raising $20,000 per person.Efforts took place in St. John's on Sunday, with money made from the Global Eats food truck andpop-up haircutsfrom Seahorse Salon going to the project.

"It would pay for their rent, food, all the basics of life,"Haghighi said.

She said immigrants who will be sponsored by the program are picked by the United Nations, and have made asylum claims based on persecution due to gender identity or expression. The group wanted to get involved,Haghighi said,after hearing of thedisproportionate impact the pandemic was having on LGBTQpeople in refugee camps.

"They were specifically being targeted, and some of the pandemic rules and regulations were being used to further target and discriminate against them," she said.

"I'm really hoping that they will come here and find a really welcoming community. What we're hoping is to really build together a welcoming, supporting space for them."

A pop-up salon by Seahorse Salon is raising funds to help the ANC sponsor five LGBTQ refugees. (Emma Grunwald/CBC)

Jody Lear, who works at the salon, said all appointment slots for the day were sold out and the walk-in slots were all taken.

"It's really nice to take a break out of your normal work day, and do something that's for a really good cause," she said.

"We have a lot of people helping us out, which is really amazing."

More information on the project can be found at the ANC-NL website.

With files from Emma Grunwald

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