“Jean” from West Africa
Jean
The LGBT Asylum Support Taskforce is currently supporting “Jean”, and recorded his story.
I am from West Africa. In my country I was a king of a large community. I was also a very successful international businessman. I was an owner of cyber cafe, snack bar, groceries and electronic shop, all located in the same building, ground floor and first floor.
In my country, the government does not like gay people. So, most of us get married and have children as a “cover” for our sexuality. I did that. I have a wife and children. I also have had boyfriends in hiding. That was discovered in 2005 and my boyfriend and I were put into jail and beaten and tortured. Also, they mutilated our penises because they said that we were not real men! My boyfriend died from the torture and bleeding. I survived and said that I had changed my ways and went back to my business. I got a new boyfriend and thought that no one knew.
In June 2012, I was coming back home from a visit to the USA when I heard that the building in which I had my business and offices was being burned down. While I was on the plane, someone sent me pictures of it burning.
There was not one firefighter or policeman who came to the building. There were no rescue attempts. People walked up and down the streets watching my building burn to the ground without any intervention because it became public that I am gay. Few days later I told the mayor that there was a mistake and I did not have a boyfriend. He told me that I could rebuild if I got the money. I found the money to have the building rebuilt. Two months after I got the money and had the building rebuilt the same mayor ordered the destruction of the work.
My blood pressure went higher up and I quickly booked a flight for USA in order to receive treatment. I informed my boyfriend about my trip and he said we should meet to wish me goodbye as usual. We did not know we were being spied on and followed. My boyfriend escaped through the window while I was caught and driven to the police station where I received heavy beating and torture during two days. My spine was broken, my feet were beaten and I have wounds in my body. It is hard for me to walk long distances. With the complicity of one policeman, I succeeded to escape from the police station.
Because I had money, I was able to come to Worcester to live with a distant relative. After arriving in America, I found that all of my money had been taken by the government. I am poor now. I had two beautiful cars (Mercedes and Toyota), a palace-like home, and well educated children. I had respect, prestige and was a king of my community in my country. Since they found that I had a boyfriend, I am poor, homeless, my children are not safe, there is no money for their education and I am an immigrant in a country; I have absolutely no power or prestige. My wife ran with the children and they all live in hiding except for my two older children who are in college in England and in the USA.
I found Hadwen Park Church and have been going there just to pray to God for my family, safety and freedom. I had no idea how cold it is in North America, but the LGBT Asylum Task Force found me warm jackets, gloves and boots. I go to fundraising parties where I tell my story, and also there is very good American food!
When the LGBT task force learned that I was penniless, they voted to financially support me monthly with a check for food, transportation, cell phone and other necessities. Now, I don’t have to walk to my doc appointments, I have money for a bus and sometimes, in the dead of winter, even money for a cab. The night after I received my first monthly check, I slept like a baby for the first time since I left my country. Thank you for financially supporting me and gay people from fourteen other countries.
Two months ago I could not tell my story without tears. Today, with moral support from task force friends, I do.
When I get my papers in the USA and have legal status, I will rebuild my business and help my children to be educated. And, I will financially support the Task Force so that others like me might find a new life.
