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• October 27, 2023
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Andrew, a gay twenty-two-year-dated whoever domestic was double shed of the Russian soldiers, might have been welcomed by a community regarding more mature hills owners.

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Andrew, good twenty two-year-dated Ukrainian refugee, shoot toward retired social worker Bobbie Steinhart’s garden deck throughout the Berkeley Mountains, in which he’s got already been life style when you’re waiting around for his migration situation to advance. Credit: Ximena Natera, Berkeleyside/CatchLight

“My trousers. My passport. My personal phone,” Andrew told you, record from the things he sent out-of Ukraine to Berkeley. “That’s it.”

In the June, a couple months after Russian troops occupied Kharkiv and you will shelled his school dormitory, Andrew, a great 22-year-old gay man, set off to your an odyssey around the continents looking for versatility and you can enjoy.

Days later, the guy found each other – when you look at the a beautiful neighborhood stuffed with this new Berkeley Hills close to the Kensington edging. Two different people has organized your and a network out of anybody else, especially more than Andrew, have taken your not as much as the side, discussing eating, clothing and you will society. While the to arrive within the December, he has attended his first drag show, met gay Afghan asylum hunters and you may invested enough time taking walks new Berkeley Hills’ winding avenue within the a sun cap.

Andrew’s just belongings when he arrived in Berkeley was indeed some off pants, a good passport, a tiny purse, a classic mobile, busted flip-flops, and you can a worn-aside t-clothing. Credit: Ximena Natera, Berkeleyside/CatchLight

However, Andrew’s hold on the spot he phone calls “heaven” is tenuous. As he entered the fresh new You.S.-Mexico edging inside later November, he applied for Lgbt asylum, a procedure that takes decades, because of a huge increase in what amount of people seeking asylum and an excellent backlog out-of cases. 1st legal go out could have been in for . At the same time, their works enable has not yet come through, and then make him based upon to the kindness off visitors. They are pleased, however the condition out of limbo and dependance provides used on the your.

Fleeing conflict and you will homophobia in Ukraine, the guy found a retreat regarding Berkeley Slopes

“I am 23 and i cannot properly rent an apartment,” Andrew said. “I am embarrassed.” Multiple interview which have Andrew was in fact used in the Russian and you may was interpreted into the English. Berkeleyside is actually withholding Andrew’s history identity and has anglicized 1st label on their demand to guard your away from their dad.

More than anything, Andrew desires to performs, score their mother and you may brother in the future off Ukraine, and start to become American. For instance the a number of activities he brought, he repeats such goals continuously, appearing to attempt to will all of them toward lifetime.

In a number of indicates, Andrew’s tale is typical of hundreds of thousands of some body trying to asylum in the us each year. He offers their battles – the mandatory six-week watch for a-work allow, recent years off suspicion – as well as their hopes – a lifetime free from persecution. (My own relatives escaped Ukraine in 1997 due to the fact Jewish refugees, staying with members of the family if you find yourself my father found act as a good desktop programmer and you may my mommy applied for legislation college or university if you find yourself training English.)

In other implies, their tale is actually strange. Now, Gay and lesbian asylum is a rare road to legalization, even though the You has actually experienced sexual positioning a legitimate reason becoming considered to have asylum due to the fact 1994. Gender nonconforming name and you can transgender title have been additional in 2004, as well as predicated on circumstances laws.

Becoming LGBTQ+ can also be separate asylum seekers throughout the conventional diaspora assistance program. Dreading being ostracized by-fellow Ukrainians, Andrew has established ties that have People in america for the Berkeley as an alternative. When he meets fellow East Eu immigrants, the guy commonly commentary toward whether they have an effective “Soviet mindset” otherwise a far more progressive one to.