Niedzwiecki, ‘We Shall Overcome’, 2023

Category: Literature
Source: Academic
Subject: Sexual Orientation/Sexuality, Gender Identity, Refugee/Asylum, Religion
Place: Americas, Other
Year: 2023
File: 978-3-031-23379-1
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-23379-1_7

M. Niedzwiecki, ‘We Shall Overcome: A Case Study of the LGBT Asylum Task Force, a Parish Ministry’, in: Goździak, E.M., Main, I. (eds) Debating Religion and Forced Migration Entanglements. Politics of Citizenship and Migration. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2023, pp 125–145

Abstract

This is a case study of the LGBT Asylum Task Force in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Task Force is a ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC. It is the only program in the U.S. dedicated to providing wrap-around services, including housing, to LGBT asylum seekers. Since its inception in 2008, it has provided services to over 219 people from 24 countries. The discussion of the Task Force makes extensive use of interviews with its leadership and membership to showcase lived experiences of asylum seekers and those who assist them.

Keywords: LGBT asylum seekers, Religion, Spirituality