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Worcester LGBT Asylum Support Task Force
Our Mission Statement
The lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender asylum support task force is a community-based organization of volunteers who are dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBT individuals who are seeking asylum or refuge in the United States.
Sean's Story:
“Jamaica land of beauty we promise faithfully to serve thee with our talents and bring our gifts to thee.” This was one of Jamaica’s first national anthems, but I never felt as if I was able to bring my gifts to my country of birth. In Jamaica I could be killed, jailed, attacked by a homophobic mob, just because I’m gay. Let me tell you my story.My name is Sean. I was born in Jamaica in the parish of St. Mary. I was raised by my father’s sister who adopted many other kids. We all grew up as brothers and sisters. At six, I knew I was different. I was called sissy. I was teased by the boys. I was beaten up. Called BATTY MAN, which is the Jamaican negative term for gay men. Read the rest of Sean's story here.
Goals of the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force
Our founding goal and continuing mission is to support the basic human needs of LGBT people seeking asylum in the United States. We strive to provide/find/facilitate: housing, food, clothing, resources (ex. Health care, psychological care, faith communities),
cellphones (vital for contact with lawyers & family), and transportation.
Our secondary goal is to educate the public in an effort to change policy around the globe so that someday no LGBT person will need to seek asylum because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and the need to find a safe place
What is asylum?
A non-United States citizen can seek political asylum in the United States if they have a fear of being persecuted in their country of origin because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. For example, some individuals flee because their government has targeted them for being in the political opposition. Others flee because their particular tribe is subject to ethnic cleansing. Some women flee because they do not want to be forced into marriage, female circumcision, or wearing a hijab.
If granted political asylum, individuals have the right to remain in the United States and the right to family reunification (with spouse and children). Eventually, they have the right to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Information about Asylum Seekers:
Asylum seekers are one of the most vulnerable groups of immigrants in America. Forced to flee their homeland, most arrive in the United States without any protected legal status. When they arrive, they cannot legally work in the United States. Many arrive traumatized, suffering from acute depression and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Asylum seekers are not entitled to a free attorney from the government if they cannot afford one. Often, if immigrants are low-income, they are left to navigate a foreign legal system without a lawyer. This has a significant effect on the outcome of their case. Studies have shown that such individuals are much less likely to succeed in their legal cases without legal representation. Programs like the Political Asylum Legal Assistance Project seek to level the playing field by providing legal support to these individuals.
**This Information was copied from Lutheran Social Services, Immigration Legal Assistance Program website: http://www.lssne.org
LGBT Asylum Support Task Force
Rev. Judith K. Hanlon, Pastor of Hadwen Park Church and founding member of the task force says: "Three years ago, as the pastor of a church that publicly and officially welcomes LGBT folks into full leadership and membership of a Christian church, I did NOT know of the torture and abuse of the international gay community.
Since the first asylum seeker found our task force and some of those who identified as Christian folk joined the church, I have heard too many stories of abject systemic religious oppression. Often organizations offer legal services and even psycho-social support. However, they don't intentionally deal with the abuse from clergy persons and religious systems around the world. Human beings need to feel worthy and valuable.
When churches, synagogues, mosques and temples preach holy wrath, it is deadening and is often the cause for intrinsic self-loathing. Thus, my passion is to tell the story of God's great flamboyance, creativity, exquisite diversity and unfathomable love. We pray, in one's own faith tradition's language and revisit 'holy' scripts with an open mind trusting that wounded folks will engage the wholeness that was theirs at birth.
Our task force has been told over and over again that adding the subject of religious abuse to our work with the asylees is unique and crucial to living into one's full potential. Not everyone carries this debilitating abuse history; but many do. I am a Christian pastor, though our task force seeks to engage all religious oppression.
Please contact me personally for more information or further discussion at: gracelift@aol.com
Worcester LGBT Asylum Support Task Force members:
Pastor Judy Hanlon, gracelift@aol.com,
Phone: 508-853-8853
Attorney Lisa Weinberg, lisalaurel@charter.net
How can you help?
Contact us at:
LGBT Asylum Support Task Force
c/o Hadwen Park Church
6 Clover Street
Worcester, MA 01603
You can also send charitable contributions to the above address. Please make checks payable to: Hadwen Park Church and mark LGBT Fund in the memo.
Equality Logo Artist:
Jose Manuel Weidner-Ahorrio
HADWEN PARK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
United Church of Christ
6 Clover Street Worcester, MA 01603
Telephone: 508-752-7489
Sunday Worship Service
and Sunday School - 10 AM
Serving Greater Worcester and Auburn, Massachusetts
Judith Hanlon, Pastor Email: gracelift@aol.com
