A topic that is rarely mentioned and often ignored when talking about refugees are the intersectional challenges that some refugees await, simply because they are queer. Therefore, the Afro-Asian Institute held an online discussion with members of the LGTBQ+ community who fled from their home country and talked about their experience.
The story of Faris Cuchi
The talk took place on the 18th of May 2020. Besides the Afro-Asian institute, the organisations Afro Rainbow Austria, Queer base and Paul Haller from the ‘HOSI Salzburg’ were involved in the discussion. Faris Cuchi, who identifies as nonbinary talked about their experience and about their hope for the future.
Because of their sexual and gender identity, Faris had to flee from Ethiopia to Austria. Instead of a safe space, they still were faced with a lot of intersectional discrimination: For one, because Faris is black, but also because they identify as nonbinary.
Obstacles in Austria
Especially the asylum-seeking process was hard for them and other people with similar experiences, both physically and mentally. Different forms of oppression such as sexism and racism are still prevalent in Austria and need to be addressed, although it might be uncomfortable for some people.
Even though their asylum-seeking process was in the end positive, it still was very humiliating: Layers of oppression in Austria may lead to a dehumanizing experience that affects the mental health. Because of their outer appearance, they were often not accepted and discriminated, not only in Ethiopia but in Austria as well: Their body often do not get acknowledged righteously because of social structures (for example in hospitals).
The pandemic often aggravates problems like these and marginalized persons are more often faced with a variety of challenges. For one they are more likely to lose their job and even the work from humanitarian initiatives faces obstacles.
Why Afro Rainbow Austria is important
But another huge problem is the rising racism, especially xenophobia. Therefore, Faris stressed the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized people. This is the reason why Afro Rainbow Austria was founded in Vienna. It is a queer friendly organization that gives advise to African queer people. The organization tries to create visibility for the intersectional struggle of African people that are part of the LGBTQI+ community and tries to confront political agendas and social structures with their problems.
Actions for a just future
After Faris presentation there was a discussion and the leader of ARA, Henrie Dennis, adressed the importance intersectionality: Racism needs to be addressed in the white LGBTQI+ community, in order to be good allies. She criticizes that some people think that the work is done when divers people are invited and do not proceed further on with their antiracism activism. This tokenism only leads to an appearance of equality but not to an actually improvement and is therefore dangerous.
Furthermore, Henrie Dennis stresses the importance of redefining and relearning respectful circumstances in society. Therefore, experiences and knowledge from marginalized groups need to be acknowledged and validated.
In the end, members of ARA highlight the singularity and importance of events like the Afro Rainbow Street festival or the participation at events in pubic places like the City hall. Meanwhile, ARA is an idol for groups in Sweden or in the US for people with similar ideas.
