2SLGBTQ+ fundraiser aims to bring refugees to Calgary
Posted Aug 30, 2022 10:54 am.
Last Updated Aug 30, 2022 10:56 am.
2SLGBTQ+ organizers hosted a special event in Calgary on Monday aiming to bring more refugees to the city.
The fundraiser was held at Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co’ in the southeast community of Inglewood.
Kelly Ernst, president of the Under the Rainbow Foundation, says it was the biggest event for 2SLGBTQ+ refugees in Calgary’s history.
“To privately bring a sponsored refugee here takes about $20,000 — to support them for the first year to set them up,” Ernst said.
The TD Inglewood-Ramsay Pride Patio Party aimed to raise $100,000. It was set up to raise money for refugees who would otherwise face violence or imprisonment in their home countries. The hope was to raise enough to help anywhere from five to 15 people.
“As you know, there’s still 70 countries around the world that criminalize being LGBT, so these people are very fortunate to be here in Calgary,” Ernst said.
Kendra, a refugee living in Calgary, says the city has opened its arms to 2SLGBTQ+ people.
“From Nigeria, where I come from, there are slur terms for the LGBTQ community. You can’t express yourself, you can’t hold hands with a guy on the streets. Everything is like, you are hiding,” Kendra said.
Roughly 700 guests were expected to hit the patio on Monday.
Donations can be made online at the End of the Rainbow Foundation’s website.
