LGBTQ refugees in today’s world
Like the rest of the world, our minds and hearts turn to the Ukranian refugees in this horrific moment. Less visibly, “Africa is home to nine of ten of the world’s most neglected crises,” according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.
A still less visible wave of refugees are LGBTQ refugees, fleeing discrimination and worse. “No one should be forced to flee because of who they love or how they identify,” says this one-minute video from UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. “UNHCR works to keep LGBTIQ refugees safe through safe and inclusive programming, working with external partners to provide support and help rebuild LGBTI refugee support networks, providing safe spaces and housing, and identifying durable solutions.”
Evan Smith deftly addresses the tough question, “What about countries in which same-sex behavior is still against the law?” in chapter 6 of GayLDSCrossroads. As of April 2019, there were 71 countries in the world where same-sex relations are illegal, according to Newsweek. How can the church operate in those countries? How can members “obey, honor and sustain the law” (Article of Faith 12) under such circumstances?
As for me, when the law of the land or cultural baggage conflicts with love for a child of God, I choose love.
-Marci