United We Dream's Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project (QUIP) Launches #NoMoreClosets Campaign

During National Coming Out Month, LGBTQ immigrants share their stories of resilience

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 13, 2015 - This week, United We Dream's QUIP program is launching the #NoMoreClosets campaign, a story collection effort that will highlight the intersection of the immigrant rights and LGBTQ movements.

UWD will also release a groundbreaking survey later this year on LGBTQ immigrants to better understand the needs of the community. This first of its kind survey will help pave the way for deeper and more fruitful work between both movements.

Carlos Padilla, QUIP coordinator of United We Dream issued the following statement,

"For the LGBTQ movement, "coming out" has been a way to humanize the issue when talking about sexuality and gender diversity as well as addressing social and structural barriers that exist in the many communities we represent."

"Because there is minimal data and little reporting done at addressing those who are both from immigrant communities  and LGBTQ, the story collection campaign and survey will be critical to understanding how to create culturally competent work that reflects the issues of both communities."

Bianey Garcia, Organizer of Make The Road New York from Queens New York said,

"Coming out for me was not about visibility, it was about survival and about being able to share my strength with other youth who continue to remain in the shadows and in fear as undocumented and LGBTQ."

"As a transgender immigrant woman, being able to be accounted is a critical step so my community can be protected."

Luis Maldonado, Leader of Minority Affairs Council in McAllen, Texas said,

"Growing up in the over-militarized U.S. - Mexico border region, I lived in constant fear due to my status for being undocumented which kept me in the closet as a gay man in hopes of not losing my only support which was my family."

"Yet, growing up the challenges and limitation I faced accessing health care and employment as an LGBTQ immigrant only reinforced my feelings of being trapped in a cage nowhere to go"

Ana Cristina Temu, Campaign Coordinator of North Colorado Dreamers United in Boulder, Colorado said,

"Identifying strong immigrant women that were open about their sexulity has always been difficult. As a young bisexual Latina, not having a role model to look up to or to help me deal with society's attempt to force me into a box made me feel torn about my identity."

"Being able to "come out" and share my experience is about building a stronger community."

###

United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, a powerful nonpartisan network made up of 55 local groups in 26 states. UWD organizes and advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status. We seek to address the inequities and obstacles faced by immigrant youth and believe that by empowering immigrant youth, we can advance the cause of the entire community—justice for all immigrants.

You can find more about UWD online at www.unitedwedream.org

Connect with us