US: Biden rekindles American Dream for Africa's LGBT+ refugees

by Nita Bhalla

 Joe Biden's electoral victory has revived the American Dream for scores of African LGBT+ refugees who fled persecution at home only to languish in Kenya when President Donald Trump denied them a fresh start in the United States.

Trump is due to leave office in January, with his Democratic successor promising to open the door wider to migrants and lead a more LGBT+-friendly administration.

Under his presidency, Trump lowered the cap on refugee admissions every year, culminating in an all-time low of 15,000 for the fiscal year 2021.

Biden has pledged to increase annual refugee admissions to 125,000. He has also advocated for the rights of sexual minorities, raising hopes among LGBT+ asylum seekers fleeing discrimination and criminalisation in their home countries.

"Many of us had given up on our dreams over the last few years," said Dhalie, 29, a lesbian who left Uganda in 2016 after facing threats to her life. Like hundreds of others, she resettled in more liberal Kenya, awaiting the go-ahead to start anew in the United States.

"With Biden, there is now a chance of having a life in the U.S. where I am free (to) study, have a job and love who I want." Read more via Openly/Reuters