by Dan Mahoney | Jul 31, 2009 | Asylum, gays LGBT Peru, LGBT Latin America, gay immigration, lgbt undocumented immigrant, Gay asylum, LGBT Asylum
R.T. is a gay man from Peru who fled to the United States because he was the victim of severe harassment and violence in his home country. While in Lima, Peru, he was physically assaulted several times in public, and was subjected to sexual abuse as well. The persecution started when he was young, with verbal and emotional abuse that eventually led to physical abuse. As he grew older, the abuse and harassment only worsened. After being stripped naked at his workplace by co-workers who...
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by Dan Mahoney | Apr 30, 2009 | gays LGBT Honduras, LGBT Latin America, gay immigration, lgbt undocumented immigrant, Gay asylum, LGBT Asylum, Asylum
R.F. is a young gay man from Honduras who is seeking asylum in the United States. Growing up, R.F. was physically and emotionally abused by his grandmother and uncles because he didn’t conform to gender stereotypes. At school he was also targeted by older children, and when he would try to seek help from his teachers or the principal, he was told that he needed to behave more like a “man” so that the other kids would stop harassing him. By the time he was 13- years-old, his...
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by Dan Mahoney | Feb 28, 2009 | Asylum, transgender Mexico, Transgender asylum, LGBT Latin America, transgender immigration, lgbt undocumented immigrant, LGBT Asylum
Marta is a transgender woman from Mexico who suffered unthinkable verbal, physical, and sexual abuse because of her sexual orientation and gender identity. The abuse began in her youth when she was abducted by a group of armed men. When her brother came to rescue her, he was shot to death in front of her. When the police arrived, Marta was arrested for refusing to give them the names of the men who had abducted her. She was put in jail for several days where she was raped by the police. After...
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by Dan Mahoney | Sep 30, 2008 | lgbt undocumented immigrant, gays Mexico, LGBT Latin America, gay immigration, Gay asylum, LGBT Asylum, Asylum
M.Q. is a native and citizen of Mexico. When M.Q. was a child, his father often accused him of being a “sissy,” and as he grew up, M.Q. was physically assaulted many times by his family, peers, and police because he was gay. One gang of teenage boys who had beaten M.Q. threatened him and told him that if they ever saw him again, they would kill him. In December 2003, M.Q. encountered them again and barely escaped alive. M.Q. fled Mexico, and arrived in the U.S. in January 2004....
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by Dan Mahoney | Sep 30, 2008 | transgender El Salvador, Transgender asylum, LGBT Latin America, transgender immigration, lgbt undocumented immigrant, LGBT Asylum, Asylum
Born male in El Salvador, Barbara was abused throughout her childhood by family, neighbors, and classmates because she was “too feminine.” When Barbara turned 18, she began to live as a woman, but she still suffered frequent harassment and violence. In one instance, Barbara and her boyfriend were viciously beaten outside of a club. Barbara was kidnapped and taken to an isolated area where she was physically and sexually assaulted. After the kidnapping and assault, Barbara lived in...
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by Dan Mahoney | Jun 13, 2006 | lesbian asylum, LGBT Latin America, LGBT Colombia, lesbian immigration, LGBT Asylum
Monica, a native and citizen of Colombia, came to the United States under a student visa. While in the United States, Monica came out as a lesbian. As a student Monica flourished in the arts, especially film making. She became an activist in the LGBT, immigration, and women’s rights movements. Through film, she explores the issue of lesbian rights. Her documentaries include: “Latinas Lesbianas,” interviews with Latina immigrant lesbians who are activists on issues such as...
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