My name is Bakary. In 2017, my life changed forever. I was caught in a moment of intimacy with my partner by my father. I naively believed he would protect me. Instead, he locked me up and summoned the neighborhood to beat me. It was a brutal attack that could have ended in my death. I broke a window to escape with my partner.

I spent months seeking safety within my country, but it soon became clear that nowhere was truly safe. I made the painful decision to flee to the nearest neighboring country, Senegal. Arriving in Senegal, I was utterly alone, without friends or family. I spent my first weeks on the streets, desperate and scared.

One day, while at a terminal near where I slept, I met ML. He approached me kindly, offering food and asking about my story. We soon discovered that we were both Gambians. He invited me to join him and other Gambians who lived with him. They welcomed me and guided me through the process of seeking help and starting my journey as a refugee.

Curious about how they managed to afford shelter and food, I asked ML one day. He explained that Duane collected money from friends and family to support us. This act of kindness saved us from homelessness and hunger. In Senegal, or anywhere in Africa, being gay is a death sentence. The constant threat of attack, beatings, or even murder hangs over our heads. Imagine the terror of being both gay and homeless.

Now, ML is in Canada, where he started Rainbow Haven with the help of Duane and many incredible people working behind the scenes. They are helping us survive and navigate this crisis. My friends and I are profoundly grateful. We could never have imagined surviving without your kindness and support.

Thank you, Rainbow Haven.