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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn Sunday evening, essentially the Eve of Pride, I received the call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do I know anyone in <Exotic City in the Arabian Gulf> that can help?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Taliban has been after this person; now having gone underground and seeking asylum in Canada. The person is educated, has an advanced degree, has practiced his discipline professionally, speaks several languages\u2026and has committed the crime of being Gay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He survived the machine-gunning of his home and escaped to This Exotic City; has a temporary job and is working there as he works with US non-profit to arrange for transportation to and Asylum in Canada. He\u2019s been staying in a Hostel in a suburb and keeping a low profile, but someone heard him on a phone and figured out his sexuality\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subsequently, six men ambushed him in his bed, beat him mercilessly, breaking his laptop over his head and attempting to break his fingers\u2026 He escaped and hid in a construction site, sleeping there and hiding during daylight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because he is Gay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do I know anyone who can help him find a safe and secure place to live and be a conduit for money from the US Agency to cover living and food for the next period as arrangements are made?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man is terrified. The Taliban wants him dead, he doesn\u2019t feel safe and is vastly trepidatious of trusting anyone. He\u2019s even afraid to see a doctor, in case\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I made calls to two colleagues who live in that country. It only took two. Both men barely let me explain what was needed; the concern they exhibited, the rapidity with which they opened up their networks, activated their resources and found or offered what is needed was breathtaking. Within 12- 18 hours the man was safe, had a place of his own, and has been befriended by one of my dear friends who is seeing to it that the man learns the possibility of trust\u2026especially with this man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I cite this instance for a couple of reasons. The manner in which my friends leapt unquestioningly into action, the deep empathy they demonstrated for a fellow human being, the thanks they gave to ME for giving them the opportunity to help this terrified soul\u2026have been deeply moving to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Timely\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just last week, with the approach of Pride, we wrote in this space about the sudden (well, suddenly and again apparent\u2026<\/em>), exponential and cancerous growth of Hate in the US and worldwide. In the face of centuries fought for and decades old victories in our own country and other parts of the world, Hate has been awaiting the complacency that often comes when such victories are won. \u201cNever Forget\u201d becomes a slogan from before; and the urgency dissipates\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the Hate returns; stronger than before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ++ communities are being targeted and attacked at all levels in the name of religious freedom\u2026or, in many cases, just Hate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During PRIDE, as we celebrate and parade and articulate our rights to exist; I offer that it is important to remember that the few and fewer rights we are enjoying can be stripped at the drop of a vote\u2026or simply ignored at the pull of a trigger or stabbing of a blade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the US and the world, peripheral populations are fearing for their lives – and for those lives to be ended in cruel and painful ways – every day, all day, and all night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, AS we celebrate, might we please seek to communicate, inform, and in any ways that we can, offer support, succor, rescue and protection for vulnerable populations of our brothers, sisters and others\u2026all of them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m asking that, as<\/em> we celebrate, let us also call attention to and seek to address and alleviate the problem. At every forum gathered in the name of PRIDE, I believe that we are bound by honor to call out the Inhumane. The Cruel. The egregious transgressions of simply the simple Human Right to exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are bound by honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are Asylum organizations worldwide that are committed to the rescue of those hunted for trapping and killing. I am familiar with two, the boards and admins of which I know; but these are by no means all that exist. Please put your money where you believe it will do the most good. I\u2019ll put the links at the bottom of the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my own industrial \u201cneighborhood,\u201d I would very much like to see the https:\/\/www.teaconnect.org\/<\/a> and https:\/\/www.iaapa.org\/<\/a> take a stand against this inhumanity; to speak out and to speak up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only in Afghanistan, but everywhere HATE is rearing its head; including our own countries. Let our members know what is taking place right under our noses and that this is unacceptable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our organizations are heavily populated by people directly concerned and affected by the Rise of this Violence and Hate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond that, and of equal importance in addressing and even lessening (as I don\u2019t believe that Hate will ever be eliminated) these actions, exists a massive international community that needs only to be made aware that this is happening and for light to be shed on the best avenues for people to help in any way they can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Money, transportation, food, shelter, jobs\u2026we can all help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some simple numbers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being Gay is Illegal in 67 countries, punishable by death in 11.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Afghanistan is one of those 11.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimates are that the Taliban is killing between 100 – 200 LGBTQ++ people a month<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is State Sponsored Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rainbow Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/rainbowfund.networkforgood.com\/projects\/190703-afghan-lgbtq-emergency-fund<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The San Francisco Asylum Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.lgbtasylumproject.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked, this month and forever, “Why do we need a Pride Month?” Here are some of the answers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We are all responsible for the Quality of Life on this Planet. [Parts of this post are cryptic, as I am careful to protect the identity of the person at the center of the story.] On Sunday evening, essentially the … Continue reading <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n