We’re in This Together: Angela on the Power of Queer Community

When Angela first heard about Rainbow Railroad, it was through a friend. “A friend of mine who works at Rainbow Railroad, Devon, first introduced me to your work,” she recalls. “They told me about the type of work they were doing — searching for resettlement pathways — and I remember thinking: this is the most important work being done for queer people right now.”

That moment planted the seed for what would become an annual tradition of fundraising, advocacy, and community mobilization — all rooted in one simple belief: when we show up for one another, we can change lives.

Pride with Purpose

Angela works at a startup in Toronto. Back in 2020, as her company was developing donation-matching policies, she saw an opportunity to make a difference. “I was eagerly looking for a way to leverage them,” she says. “Soon after that, a friend of mine hosted a fundraiser and had their company match it. I remember trying to do the math: if I could raise $500, and my company matched it, and then Rainbow Railroad’s Pride Donors matched that… (cue the confused math meme).”

Her first fundraiser exceeded expectations, and she’s been hosting one every Pride month since. “This is my fourth year hosting a fundraiser for Rainbow Railroad,” Angela says. “And while I strongly believe in the value of year-round support, I find that the true meaning of Pride is often lost. Since June is a time when people are paying attention, I hope to continue to leverage the moment to encourage allies to support with their wallets.”

Her efforts are paying off. “I’ve heard from a few folks that after learning about Rainbow Railroad through my fundraiser, they’ve become monthly donors, which is wonderful to hear. I hope that whatever small impact I have acts as a tumbleweed into larger, ongoing support.”

A Sense of Responsibility

While Angela’s own queer identity is a source of pride and joy, it also grounds her commitment to those who face persecution for being who they are. “Being queer doesn’t often impact my daily life in a negative way — in fact, it’s an incredible gift,” she says. “When I reckon with the reality that many queer people on this planet experience the exact opposite, I feel a deep sense of privilege and responsibility.”

That belief in community drives her support. “I believe so strongly in the power of the queer community. Queer people have been on the front lines of so many moving tides in history, and often, it’s as simple as a group of people who believe in their power and responsibility. Rainbow Railroad is that belief in action.”

Her friend Devon remains a source of motivation. “They believe in the work so deeply that they view it as a responsibility beyond their job to show up for folks who need help,” Angela adds. “That’s what keeps me inspired.”

Community as a Superpower

Since becoming a donor and fundraiser, Angela’s understanding of global displacement has deepened. “Prior to becoming a donor, I would say that I had a loose understanding of the realities of global displacement,” she says. “Rainbow Railroad does an incredible job at showing us exactly where our money is going. The crisis our community is facing is dire, and learning the stories of those whom Rainbow Railroad has supported is what really opened my eyes. I can’t think of a better cause.”

Still, what humbles her most is witnessing what can happen when people come together. “The role I play is minuscule, and the results of your work are enormous. It’s humbling to have even a small impact,” she reflects. “The work — fundraising — feels doable because I’m not doing it alone, I’m doing it with my friends! Ask your people to show up, host a fundraiser, and tell people about Rainbow Railroad. It doesn’t have to be hard.”

Angela hopes more people embrace that sense of collective care. “I wish more people thought about what it means to be part of a community,” she says. “There are so many people — allies and queer people alike — who reap the benefits of the queer community without considering its most at-risk members. Supporting queer refugees is not a nice-to-have; it’s a need-to-have. We’re in this together, that’s the whole point of community.”

When asked what message she’d share with LGBTQI+ people seeking safety, Angela’s answer is simple and heartfelt: “I hope we continue to show you we care, we’re watching, and you are part of a community that will not give up.”

Join Angela in Taking Action

Angela’s story shows what’s possible when one person — and one community — chooses to act. You can make that choice today.

Fundraise now to help LGBTQI+ people around the world find safety, and show that we’re in this together.