Why walking in Windsor's Pride parade means so much to these 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers

After escaping their home countries and coming to Canada, around 30 2SLGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Windsor, Ont., will walk in the city's Pride parade together this weekend.

For some of them, it's a first. 

"I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm really looking forward to marching," said Kyra Mnende. "Ever since I've been understanding my place in the world more, I'm actually seeing [my] potential. Not only in my mind, but [now] seeing it happen in reality."

Mnende, 24, is a trans woman and refugee claimant from Tanzania who transitioned in the last three years. Coming from a devout Muslim household, she felt the need to build a new life for herself in 2017, when she began applying for visas.

"My community was very hostile. Though I had some support in private, for a long time I felt alienated. But at the end of the day, my transition is probably one of the best things that has happened to me."

Mnende now lives independently, with her family remaining in Tanzania. Since moving to Windsor after finishing an arts degree at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., she discovered a community in similar situations as her, through the work of a local organization called Queer and Trans Migrant Advocacy Alliance. 

Anold Mulaisho, 27, is the director of the organization, who also fled their home country of Zambia in 2017, seeking asylum in South Africa. After being denied there, their journey to find solace led them to Windsor, Ont.

"I fell in love, like everyone else does," Mulaisho said.

"But because in Zambia I worked in television, it became everyone's business and the Zambian government started looking for me. [After fleeing] to South Africa, my life was in danger. I was being attacked on an almost daily basis and I had no choice but to move, so I came to Canada."

Now a permanent resident, Mulaisho has become an advocate for building a network of 2SLGBTQ+ migrants, like them, who are seeking assistance in settling.

Afternoon Drive6:45Queer refugees in Windsor prepare for Pride parade

For a group of queer refugees in Windsor, this year marks their first time walking the Pride parade, most from African countries. CBC Windsor's Josiah Sinanan speaks with Anold Mulaisho, Kyra Mnende and Cherry Geddis to hear more.

"After coming here, I [realized] there wasn't any place for queer migrants. And after I started building this, [people] began reaching out for assistance and we immediately got registered as an organization," said Mulaisho.

Mulaisho says around 30 people, mostly from African countries, will be walking in Windsor Pride this year. All of them identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and have escaped their home countries because of, or in part, due to discrimination.

"[These] migrants have never participated in Pride. They've only watched it on movies or over the news. It's an honour. I wake up every morning and it's like I have a reason to live again."

Joining Mulaisho and Mnende is Nkeiru "Cherry" Cynthia Geddis, 44, who moved from an Igbo family in Nigeria to the United States and later to Windsor, Ont., where they say they have finally found freedom.

Geddis describes a grim reality in her old life.

"I discovered my sexual orientation when I was pretty young. My family didn't like it [and] felt I was a black sheep of the house. I was forced into marriage at the age of 12 and had my first child at the age of 13."

Geddis now has seven children. She says she was pressured to stay pregnant by her family, who saw it as a way to ensure she didn't pursue same-sex relationships. Though she says she regrets none of her children, she is happy to live free in Canada now and has acquired extensive education.

"It was a horrible experience that affected my mental health and still does now. So I had to channel all my energy to go into school and now I hold several degrees."

"I'll tell you right now, Canada is number one for supporting queer people. As much as some countries tell you they support LGBTQ, it is not as free as it is here. I am a living witness."

For Mulaisho, the anticipation of the day continues to build. 

"Pride means a time for us to come together and protest in a peaceful manner for acceptance, inclusion and wanting to be in community so we do not continue facing persecution."

Windsor's Pride parade is on Aug. 11, beginning at 11 a.m.