Not Rex: Fair treatment for queer refugees, Alvaro Orozco and beyond

Yesterday, for perhaps one of the few times in his life, 25-year-old Alvaro Orozco uttered the words "I feel safe."



The young queer artist and community advocate originates from Nicaragua, a country which he fled at the age of 12 fearing for his life.



After almost a month under arrest and almost four years of hiding from the Canadian government, Orozco has just been issued permanent resident status by Citizenship and Immigration Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. It's about time.



This is good news, but this case is worth revisiting because it highlights concerns about the refugee claimant process and its negative impact on the lives of queer people and others.



Landing page image courtesy of Now Magazine.