Creativity for Liberation: An Online Fundraiser
What does it mean to be free? For many of us, freedom means the ability to express ourselves fully, to move through the world without fear, and to build a life rooted in safety and authenticity. Creativity for Liberation, an online fundraiser for a refugee sponsorship process through Rainbow Refugee, is a powerful testament to the importance of collective care, ensuring that LGBTQI+ individuals fleeing persecution have the opportunity to find safety and belonging. It is a birthright we often take for granted—the ability to love openly, to pursue our dreams, and to belong in the communities we call home. But for many around the world, particularly LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution, freedom is not just a distant hope—it is a matter of life and death.
LGBTQI+ people are disproportionately subjected to violence, imprisonment, and forced concealment of their identities (Gottvall et al., 2024). Nearly 70 countries criminalize same-sex relationships, and in at least 13 nations, gender minorities face explicit legal restrictions, including so-called “cross-dressing” bans (Shaw & Verghese, 2022). These legal structures, combined with social and familial rejection, force many LGBTQI+ individuals to flee in search of safety. However, even after escaping persecution, LGBTQI+ refugees continue to experience significant challenges, including barriers to healthcare, economic hardship, and continued discrimination in host countries (Murray, 2016). Many find that the asylum process itself is re-traumatizing, requiring them to “prove” their sexual orientation or gender identity in ways that align with Western-centric norms, a process that can feel deeply dehumanizing (Murray, 2016).
In times of crisis, collective care becomes our most powerful tool. When we recognize our interconnectedness, we understand that safety is not just an individual privilege but a shared responsibility. Acts of solidarity—whether through financial support, advocacy, or creative expression—help bridge the gap between those who are safe and those still seeking refuge. Creativity for Liberation is a call to action, an invitation to use art, movement, and storytelling as vehicles for change.
This online fundraiser is dedicated to supporting Elias (pseudonym), a young nursing student who has fled extreme life-threatening persecution in his home country. With the help of a private sponsorship group and the non-profit organization Rainbow Refugee, Elias is working towards finding safety and building a new life in Canada. But he cannot do it alone.
A Heartfelt Call to Action from Creativity for Liberation
Over the course of three powerful days—February 16, March 8, and March 30—Creativity for Liberation invites you to join a vibrant community of artists, movement practitioners, and facilitators in a collective exploration of freedom, expression, and healing. This is more than just a gathering—it is a movement, a radical act of solidarity through the arts.
Through workshops in dance, somatics, vocal improvisation, expressive arts, poetry, and meditation, participants will engage in embodied practices that nurture resilience, creativity, and connection. With more than 25 skilled facilitators leading sessions, this event offers a rare opportunity to experience art as a vehicle for resistance, transformation, and liberation.
100% of the proceeds from this online fundraiser will go directly toward funding Elias’ immigration process, ensuring that he can build a safe and fulfilling life in Victoria, BC. By participating, you are not just attending a workshop—you are actively helping Elias take a crucial step toward freedom, security, and belonging.
Register today at BodyAsWiseHealer.com or Eventbrite.
For more details about the event, visit Body As Wise Healer, the host of Creativity for Liberation.
Why an Online Fundraiser for Refugees Matters
Beyond the staggering statistics on forced displacement, LGBTQI+ refugees endure unique challenges that require urgent and intentional support. While international refugee protections exist, they often fail to account for the specific vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQI+ individuals. Many are forced to remain in unsafe conditions due to restrictive asylum policies, or they encounter marginalization within refugee camps and resettlement programs (Gottvall et al., 2024). Even after arriving in a host country, LGBTQI+ asylum seekers frequently experience housing insecurity, economic instability, and ongoing discrimination, making integration into society exceedingly difficult (Shaw & Verghese, 2022).
Mental health studies underscore the profound impact of prolonged displacement on LGBTQI+ refugees. Many endure severe loneliness, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal ideation, exacerbated by the lack of community support in host countries (Gottvall et al., 2024). Transgender asylum seekers, in particular, are disproportionately vulnerable to violence, sexual assault, and barriers to accessing gender-affirming healthcare(Shaw & Verghese, 2022).
Despite these hardships, studies also highlight the power of solidarity and affirming spaces in improving the well-being of LGBTQI+ refugees (Murray, 2016). Access to community support, legal advocacy, and opportunities for self-expression through art and storytelling fosters resilience and creates pathways toward healing.
Elias reached out for help, and in response, a group of compassionate individuals formed a private sponsorship group to support his journey to safety in Canada. Creativity for Liberation is more than a fundraiser—it is an act of solidarity, a declaration that no one should have to fight for their survival alone.
As Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams reminds us:
“Love and justice are not two. Without inner change, there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.”
Advocate Arsham Parsi, an expert on LGBTQI+ refugee issues, echoes this call to action:
“Every LGBTQ+ refugee has a unique situation—but the fear and pain they endured before coming to Canada is universal.”
By participating in this online fundraiser, you are directly helping Elias access a life where he can exist freely—without fear of persecution. More broadly, you stand for a world where every LGBTQI+ person can live with dignity and safety.
How You Can Participate in Creativity for Liberation
There are multiple ways to be part of this creative and impactful movement:
- Attend a Workshop – Choose from a range of offerings, from movement and meditation to poetry and expressive arts.
- Donate What You Can – The suggested donation is $25 per class, but all contributions are welcome and deeply appreciated.
- Purchase a Day Pass – Gain access to multiple sessions and explore different modalities of creative liberation.
- Join the Online Art Auction – From March 20 to March 27, bid on artwork, goods, and services—all proceeds support Elias’ immigration process.
Register today at BodyAsWiseHealer.com or Eventbrite.
For more details about the event, visit Body As Wise Healer, the host of Creativity for Liberation.
My Contribution to This Online Fundraiser
On March 30, I will lead a workshop titled Stories for Liberation: Unfolding Narratives on Our Way to Belonging. This session is an invitation to explore how storytelling can serve as a tool for self-discovery, connection, and collective transformation. As a psychotherapist, art therapist, and storyteller, I believe that sharing our stories allows us to reclaim narratives, build resilience, and foster queer and trans liberation.
In this interactive online workshop, we will engage in journaling, creative prompts, and collaborative digital storytelling. Participants will be guided through reflective exercises to uncover stories of reclamation, resilience, and belonging. Together, we will co-create a shared digital narrative, weaving our voices into a tapestry of collective liberation.
Workshop Highlights:
- Liberation-Focused: Rewriting personal and collective narratives to inspire freedom and connection.
- Collaborative Creation: Participants will contribute to a shared digital story, embodying the theme of collective liberation.
- Accessible and Inclusive: Activities are adaptable and welcoming to all skill levels, with no prior storytelling experience required.
- Transformative Takeaways: Participants will leave with practical tools and fresh inspiration to continue storytelling as a means of empowerment and healing.
This session is not just about individual expression—it is about using storytelling as a bridge toward collective care and transformation. I invite you to join me in creating space for stories that lead us toward connection, belonging, and, ultimately, liberation.
About the Facilitator
Clayre Sessoms (she/they) is a visually impaired queer trans woman, storyteller, and creative practitioner whose work bridges mental health, embodiment, and the arts. As a Registered Psychotherapist and Board Certified Art Therapist, Clayre draws upon lived experience, boundless creativity, and a steadfast belief in the power of connection to guide others toward healing and liberation. Living and working on the sacred ancestral lands and waterways of the Coast Salish Peoples, Clayre’s practice honours the deep interconnection between identity, place, and the stories that weave us through past, present, and future. With a passion for storytelling, she explores themes of family, justice, and love, offering an invitation to imagine new possibilities for belonging, transformation, and collective care. Clayre holds space for others to uncover their own truths, believing that within each story lies the potential to shape a more connected, healing, and harmonious future for ourselves, our lands, and our skies.
References
- Gottvall, M., Kissiti, R., Ainembabazi, R., Bergman, H., Eldebo, A., & Carlsson, T. (2024). Mental health and societal challenges among forced migrants of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions: Health professionals’ descriptions and interpretations. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 26(8),
About the BC-based Rainbow Refugee Organization
Founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee is a Vancouver-based organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ refugees fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. Through private sponsorships and advocacy, they work to create safe migration pathways and build communities of belonging.
Join Us on February 16, March 8, and March 30, 2025
By participating in Creativity for Liberation, you are not just attending a workshop—you are actively contributing to a life-changing cause. Together, we can weave a tapestry of care, resistance, and hope.
Let’s create, connect, and liberate—one movement, one story, and one act of generosity at a time.
Register today at BodyAsWiseHealer.com or Eventbrite.
For more details about the event, visit Body As Wise Healer, the host of Creativity for Liberation.
References
Gottvall, M., Kissiti, R., Ainembabazi, R., Bergman, H., Eldebo, A., & Carlsson, T. (2024). Mental health and societal challenges among forced migrants of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions: Health professionals’ descriptions and interpretations. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 26(8), 1088-1103. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2023.2298479
Murray, D. A. B. (2016). Real queer?: Sexual orientation and gender identity refugees in the Canadian refugee apparatus. Rowman & Littlefield.
Shaw, A., & Verghese, N. (2022). LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers: A review of research and data needs.The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law. Retrieved from https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbtq-refugees-asylum-seekers/
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2022). Global trends: Forced displacement in 2022.Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends-2022/
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). (2020). State-sponsored homophobia report. Retrieved from https://ilga.org/state-sponsored-homophobia-report-2020
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2019). Still in danger: The ongoing threat of violence against transgender detainees. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/report/still-danger-ongoing-threat-violence-against-transgender-detainees
American Psychological Association (APA). (2022). LGBTQ asylum seekers: How clinicians can help. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/advocacy/immigration/lgbtq-asylum-seekers
Alessi, E. J., Kahn, S., & Chatterji, S. (2015). The darkest times of my life: Recollections of child abuse among forced migrants. Journal of Traumatology, 22(3), 203-213. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000077
Disclaimer: This blog offers general educational information and does not constitute professional advice or establish a therapist-client relationship. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Any decisions based on the content are the reader’s responsibility, and Clayre Sessoms Psychotherapy assumes no liability. All case studies are hypothetical with fictional names and do not reflect actual people. We prioritize your privacy and the confidentiality of all of our clients. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive space for 2SLGBTQIA+ community care.
