AsylumConnect

We will use the Elevate Prize to catalyze the growth of the world's first ever web and mobile resource platform designed to facilitate the safe navigation of LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. This funding will allow us to accelerate expansion of our Junior Board Program for young professionals and build a sustainable fundraising infrastructure for AsylumConnect.  

We will allocate this funding to three primary areas: 

• Tech Development (hire first full-time engineering staff to add critical product enhancements to AsylumConnect's free web and mobile platform including replacing Google Translate for non-English languages with native non-English translations provided by bilingual translators; and direct referral support) 
• Development Infrastructure (hire first full-time development director to oversee and expand individual giving programs including Annual Giving Club membership, secure additional foundation and government grants, and spearhead online and in-person fundraisers and special events)
• Junior Board Program for Young Professionals (AsylumConnect intends to establish Junior Board chapters nationally across the U.S. to scale this innovative program and establish a path to financial sustainability; learn more about our Junior Board Program on our website)

As a result, this funding will help us to ensure millions more LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution are successful in rebuilding their new lives.

My personal experience struggling with my sexual orientation, and later my gender identity, drives my passion for AsylumConnect’s work. After a decade of hiding my sexual orientation, I came out as lesbian at 22. Five years later, I came out again about my gender identity and began my transition as a transgender man.

Growing up, being “out” as a LGBTQ+ person did not seem like an attainable path. At my religious high school there were no openly LGBTQ+ people, and we were taught in the classroom that homosexuality is a sin. 

Later at the University of Pennsylvania I met Sy, who shared his experience seeking asylum in the U.S. Despite access to technology, Sy struggled as a gay immigrant to know where it was safe to go for help to meet his basic human needs. Coming from a conservative background, the feeling of not being able to live authentically deeply resonated with me. During our senior year at Penn, we co-founded the tech nonprofit AsylumConnect to extend the world’s first ever digital lifeline to other marginalized and persecuted LGBTQ+ people.

I remain personally motivated to ensure every trans and queer person fleeing persecution finds the safety to live authentically.

In 80+ countries it remains illegal or fundamentally unsafe to live openly as a LGBTQ+ person. 

• Same-sex activity between consenting adults is subject to criminalization in approximately 70 countries.

• 12 countries still impose the death penalty.

• 12 countries target gender identity through 'cross-dressing'/'impersonation' laws.

Every year, tens of thousands are forced to flee their homes due to anti-LGBTQ+ persecution. The challenge for many is that discrimination continues even in “safe” havens. LGBTQ+ asylum seekers especially struggle to access legitimate local services and support, and face increased risk of detention, homelessness, and facing homophobic or transphobic behavior when accessing critical social services during resettlement. Out of options, many are forced to give up on their legal claim and face deportation.   

To fill this clear information gap AsylumConnect has created the world’s first web and mobile resource platform designed to facilitate the safe navigation of LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. 

LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, refugees and other LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution (homeless youth) use our free website and mobile app to instantly match with independently verified welcoming legal, medical, mental health and social services that can help. Lawyers and other providers also leverage AsylumConnect to easily gather verified affirming referrals for LGBTQ+ clients.     

AsylumConnect has created the world’s first and only tech platform designed to facilitate the safe navigation of LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. Our free technology instantly matches queer and trans asylum seekers, refugees and other LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution with verified affirming legal, medical, mental health and social services. Since launching in 2016, our website/app has made 75,000+ matches between LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution and vetted affirming services that can help. 

Our value proposition: For people fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (and the attorneys, case managers and other providers working with them who need safe referrals for clients), AsylumConnect is a 24/7 digital one-stop-shop facilitating their safe navigation that provides free, on-demand access to verified information on all of the welcoming local legal, medical, mental health and social services available unlike uncurated, unverified and potentially unsafe referrals offered by large search engines and non-LGBTQ+ focused resource directories. 

"It's exactly what's needed. We have people getting on trains to reach us when we can't help more people or people who need help in other parts of the country, we can use [AsylumConnect] to tell them where it is safe to go." — Nonprofit user

“Sara” is a trans woman living in New York, who fled her home country of Nigeria due to multiple death threats because of her gender identity. When searching for safe services, Sara faced multiple barriers due to her identity as a trans person, an undocumented immigrant, a non-native English speaker and a person of color. While she wanted to remain in the U.S. to avoid the life-threatening situation she faces in Nigeria, she was unaware of asylum protections until she was referred to AsylumConnect by a friend. She used AsylumConnect to find a pro bono attorney with expertise in serving members of the LGBTQ+ community. She also used the app to easily find a free support group for trans women of color and a pro bono, trans-affirming doctor and therapist. As an undocumented person, Sara appreciated the app's ability to filter out service providers that require specific documentation (photo ID, proof of age/income/residence, medical insurance, referral) to access. 

Sara is just one of the thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals who have found safe, affirming, and even life-saving services through AsylumConnect. But there are millions of others who still need our help.

See our website for more information on our impact to-date.