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Programming For LGBT Newcomers |
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Black CAP has provided settlement programming to LGBT newcomers from the Caribbean and Africa since we opened our doors in 1989. Over the last 20 years we’ve provided a welcoming space for newcomers who were fleeing homophobia and violence in their country of origin. In 2009, we determined that additional programming was required to support LBGT newcomers from Africa and the Caribbean and, with the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we launced the LGBT Settlement program to help Black LGBT newcomers in their first days in Canada. Our work seems as important now as ever. You know how important this program is if you’ve been following the news about the intense persecution of gay men and lesbian women in countries such as Malawi and Uganda or the anti-gay violence in the Caribbean. The stories of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi, who were sentence to 14 years in jail for holding an engagement ceremony are typical of the stories we hear from clients in our settlement program. Over the last six months this program has served 44 new LGBT clients who came to Canada as refugees. Of these new clients about 75% are gay, 14% are lesbian, 5% are transgender and, 6% are bisexual clients. Black CAP also provides monthly group programming for this community called ’Foreign Integration’. Each month about 20 LGBT newcomers come together to share their stories. For instance, at the May meeting, the discussion centered around the difficulties of coming “out” to family and friends in the Black, African and Caribbean communities. Group members had various experiences with this and shared stories and strategies with one another on how do this in the safest possible way. To learn more about this program call our Settlement Coordinator Craig Cromwell.
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