[URBAN NOTE] "The life cycle of a gay refugee in Vancouver"

[rfmcdonald]

Daily Xtra carries Ahmed Danny Ramadan's lovely autobiographical essay drawn from his experience of how he, a refugee, came to feel himself Canadian and Vancouverite.

Butterflies are beautiful creatures. Their journey from caterpillar to cocoon to colourful butterfly illustrates the beauty and dynamism of life.

Like butterflies, refugees to Canada have their own evolution, one I’ve experienced first-hand living for the last two years in Vancouver.

I think we should respect that evolution. An assumption that gets on my nerves is that gay refugees will shed their old skin, covered in scars from the homophobic communities they left behind, and replace it with a new colourful skin that fits into Canadian society.

I can tell you this is not true; this change takes time, effort and painful transformation. This is not because Canadian LGBT society is not welcoming, or because refugees don’t want to integrate. It’s a simple fact of life: Change is not easy. Immigration is a sudden change, and accepting and celebrating it requires time and hard work, from both the newcomer and society.

I believe this change happens in three stages, just like the transformation of a butterfly.