Profiles

“‘Dare to Resist’ means refusing to be silent in the face of injustice. It means living boldly and authentically, even when the world tells you not to.”

“I really want to leave a legacy that helps people live freely — the freedom to be themselves, to live as authentic human beings without having to hide or face violence.”

Deeply inspired by Rainbow Railroad’s mission and determined to make a difference, David and Jesse are financial supporters, and active volunteers as well.

Community fundraisers play a vital role in sustaining our work, rallying their networks to take action and provide critical support. This month, we spoke to two of our dedicated community supporters, Bob Fisher and Jim Sargant, about what drives them to mobilize support for our mission. Since 2018, Bob Fisher (he/him) and Jim Sargant (he/him) have been passionate supporters of Rainbow Railroad, dedicating their time to raising awareness and funds to help LGBTQI+ people facing persecution find safety. Their journey with Rainbow Railroad began nearly ten years ago at Toronto Pride, where they first learned about the organization’s mission.“We were so thrilled to find Rainbow Railroad and hear about its work,” Bob recalls. “As a gay couple, it was very important to us to find an organization where gay people were helping other LGBTQI+ people who were in danger around the world.”Fundraising and Community Support Across BordersSince then, Bob and Jim have committed to making a tangible difference as community supporters. Their fundraising efforts centre around communities they are a part of, first through Minden Pride  in Minden, Ontario. More recently, they have fundraised through Camp Mars, a LGBTQI+ campground in Florida. Their ongoing commitment has helped to raise more than $34,000 for Rainbow Railroad.With the backing of Camp Mars owners Dale Dunston and Tom Costello, they’ve hosted specific fundraising events, such as Las Vegas Weekend, and weekly bingo nights, with many players donating a portion of their winnings to Rainbow Railroad. Moving forward, Bob and Jim are excited to pass the torch to John Tully at Camp Mars who will spearhead the Camp’s fundraising efforts in support of Rainbow Railroad.“We have been so inspired by Rainbow Railroad’s efforts and successes in supporting LGBTQI+ people at risk,” Jim says. “And we’ve been equally inspired by the generosity of the Camp Mars community, who have embraced this mission and helped us reach our fundraising goals.”A Simple Approach to Community EngagementWhile their efforts have been successful, Bob and Jim emphasize that fundraising doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “You don’t need to do a big, splashy event,” Bob advises. “Slow and steady can work. It took us 14 months to reach our goal at Camp Mars. Be consistent in your message, and don’t be discouraged by ups and downs in fundraising flow.”They also encourage others to seek out support from Rainbow Railroad when needed. “Do not hesitate to ask for technical help or support materials from the Rainbow Railroad office,” Jim says. “They can provide great resources to make your efforts more impactful.”Beyond raising funds, their work has also raised awareness within their community. “During our fundraising efforts, we’ve been approached by individuals who have firsthand knowledge of global LGBTQI+ persecution,” Jim shares. “Hearing their stories has made our mission feel even more urgent and personal.”Bob and Jim continue their journey as community supporters with the hope of inspiring others to take action. “We want people to know that even small contributions can make a difference,” Bob says. “Rainbow Railroad not only relocates people to safety but also helps them with immediate needs, whether it’s financial aid due to job loss or support to move to a safer place within their own country.”Through their dedication, Bob and Jim have shown that community-driven efforts can have an incredible impact. They hope their story encourages more people to step up, raise awareness, and contribute in whatever way they can.

“I always know that after the darkest night comes the most beautiful sunrise.”

For Leila, being a woman means more than identity — it is about community and resilience. "It has been the feeling of being welcome, with yourself and among your sisters. Womanhood is solidarity, shared experiences, wisdom, and strength."

Lukas, a retired physician, has supported Rainbow Railroad financially since 2017. Despite the current geopolitical climate, Lukas is resolved to keep a hopeful view of the future – and he encourages others to do the same.

We are honouring and celebrating Black History Month by featuring a Black-led partner organization of Rainbow Railroad every week of February and exploring how queer Black liberation informs their work. This week, we are featuring The Nature Network from Kenya.

We are honouring and celebrating Black History Month by featuring a Black-led partner organization of Rainbow Railroad every week of February and exploring how queer Black liberation informs their work. This week, we are featuring Rainbow Family Support Alliance from Uganda.

DHD's Groundbreaking Initiative in Argentina

Life in Spain has given them their first taste of true freedom. One moment stands out: “For the first time, we held hands in public,” Savelli shares. “It still felt dangerous, and we were nervous. But we did it. And nothing happened. That was a moment we’ll never forget.”

“Despite the immense challenges posed by South Sudan’s poor human rights record, GEPA South Sudan remains steadfast in its commitment to championing the rights of sexual minorities. We draw inspiration from trailblazers such as Senior Counsel Nicholas Opiyo, a human rights defender from Chapter Four Uganda, Dr. Frank Mugisha of SMUG, and Dr. Stella Nyanzi.”          -Paul ONEK Isidoro, Program Coordinator, GEPA South Sudan We are honouring and celebrating Black History Month by featuring a Black-led partner organization of Rainbow Railroad every week of February and exploring how queer Black liberation informs their work. This week, we are featuring GEPA, a rights-based organization in South Sudan.  A Challenging Landscape for LGBTQI+ Rights in South SudanIn South Sudan, consensual same-sex sexual acts continue to be criminalised in 2025, and LGBTQI+ refugees in the camps in South Sudan face unique vulnerability, often enduring harassment, discrimination, and violence. Furthermore, the influx of LGBTQI+ refugees fleeing the war in Sudan further strains the already overcrowded camps. Queer and trans refugees confront intensified dangers in these environments, including abuse from fellow refugees and limited access to essential services. South Sudan's conservative social norms exacerbate these issues, leaving LGBTQI+ refugees without adequate protection. The current legal landscape in South Sudan presents significant challenges, with laws such as the Penal Code Act, 2008 and the Revised National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan either failing to recognize or actively discriminating against LGBTQI+ populations.Despite the optimism brought about by South Sudan’s independence in 2011, the LGBTQI+ community continues to face significant challenges. “While the country’s separation from Sudan marked a liberation for many, it did not extend to sexual minorities,” explains Paul. Driving Change Through Advocacy and ServiceGEPA South Sudan, established in 2015, is a rights-based national organization driven by a commitment to sustainable change. It aims to mobilize, engage, and empower women, sexual minorities, sex workers, and other marginalized populations by creating networks that foster opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, health and positive impact within their communities.GEPA South Sudan provides a range of services to achieve these aims. They offer pro-bono legal services to asylum seekers, engage in strategic litigation on matters of public interest, ensure legal protection for vulnerable populations and provide psychosocial support services to survivors of conversion therapy and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. The organization is also in the process of establishing access to temporary safe shelters for those in need. Additionally, they offer livelihood skills training and support in the form of seed and start-up capital.Amplifying LGBTQI+ VoicesThe advocacy efforts of GEPA South Sudan center on amplifying the voices of marginalized populations through evidence-based research and digital media, to inform new laws and amend existing policies. The organization seeks to address the layered oppressions experienced by LGBTQI+ individuals and views the struggle for Black liberation as inherently intertwined with queer liberation.From 2018 to 2022, the organization led a campaign addressing the sexual and economic exploitation of women employed in the natural resources sector in the Eastern Equatoria state in South Sudan. GEPA also advocated for the full implementation of the 35% women’s representation quota in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, as outlined in the current peace accord. This effort involved collaboration with women leaders from various political factions. Currently, they are focused on organizing a consultative forum for technical experts and policymakers on the East African Community Sexual and Reproductive Health Bill of 2021. Additionally, GEPA is leading an advocacy campaign to repeal the HIV criminalization and anti-homosexuality provisions in the Penal Code Act of 2008.The organization also works to strengthen alliances among actors in the gender-based violence space and other rights-based programming within the sexual minority community.The Power of Partnership: Collaborating with Rainbow RailroadSince February 2022, GEPA has implemented two Rainbow Railroad-funded projects: providing pro-bono legal services for incarcerated sexual minorities and exploring the provision of safe shelter for survivors of conversion therapy.This partnership has resulted in freedom from incarceration for 22 LGBTQI+ individuals through pro bono legal services to secure police bond and court bails, as well as support for securing legal status for 14 LGBTQI+ migrants in South Sudan.The partnership with Rainbow Railroad also provided access to comprehensive sexuality education to over 500 LGBTQI+ persons via the website www.healthnow-ssd.org.The day-to-day work of GEPA comes with both challenges and rewards. There is a constant threat of violent crackdowns and security breaches, exacerbated by increasing surveillance and rising LGBTQI+ hostility in the region. “Despite these risks, the work is deeply fulfilling. The ability to restore hope and make a tangible difference—whether through a legal advisory session, pro-bono services, or simply the smile on someone's face after counseling—provides a profound sense of purpose and commitment to service,” remarks Paul ONEK Isidoro, Program Coordinator.From Inspiration to Queering the System“We draw inspiration from trailblazers such as Senior Counsel Nicholas Opiyo, a human rights defender from Chapter Four Uganda, Dr. Frank Mugisha of SMUG, and Dr. Stella Nyanzi. These figures serve as the north star and source of inspiration for advocacy efforts supporting LGBTQI+ individuals experiencing forced displacement.”For GEPA South Sudan, the queer community is more than a collective of individuals united by a common culture, it is a bond of solidarity that transcends borders, bringing people together not just to celebrate pride and diversity, but to amplify each other's voices in the struggle for rights and recognition. The organization is dedicated to “queering” the system by integrating transformative alternatives in designing its sustainability planning and by using the concept of queer futurity. In their immediate intervention, GEPA South Sudan internally uses queer data (gender marker and sexuality) to ensure inclusivity in decision-making, programming and onward data for action.The Fight for Queer Black LiberationIn expressing gratitude to supporters of Rainbow Railroad, Paul emphasizes the importance of their contributions:“We thank you for the enormous support you have given to Rainbow Railroad over time and to equally let you know that every ounce of support being given to Rainbow Railroad is by extension reaching the most at-risk population across the globe where it’s most urgently needed through agencies like us-GEPA South Sudan.”GEPA envisions a future where human rights are universally upheld, a dream inspired by the resilience of those who have historically faced oppression. Their efforts are bolstered by the critical reports of the UN Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, which underscore the urgent need to address systemic violations in South Sudan and reaffirm the necessity of dismantling all forms of injustice.“Despite the immense challenges posed by South Sudan’s poor human rights record, GEPA South Sudan remains steadfast in its commitment to championing the rights of sexual minorities.” This unwavering dedication is deeply intertwined with the broader struggle for Black liberation—a fight for equality, dignity, and justice that transcends borders. In safeguarding both program personnel and direct beneficiaries, GEPA SOUTH SUDAN refrains from sharing personal photos, prioritizing the protection of those involved in its critical work.