Joseph Bukombe, a San Diego man, has been in detention for two years because his attorney was unable to prove to the court that Joseph was a gay man and by returning to his native Uganda, it would endanger his life. Even though Joseph’s story attracted publicity and a petition organized by his friend Hector Martinez and some other legal advisers, Joseph is a tragic local reminder of how broken our current asylum system really is. The good news is that we can have Joseph released from detention of we can raise $10,000 for his bail and allow him a fair trial that will incur additional legal costs.
The St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation is a San Diego based non-profit agency concerned with LGBT globally equality and has been supporting the work of Christopher Senyonjo this past year. We are also sponsoring a young transgender Ugandan who was abducted and tortured before being granted asylum. Any funds raised that are returned or left over from Joseph’s bail and legal fees will be used to support this second victim of Uganda’s horrific anti-gay laws. You can read more about this at: blog.stpaulsfoundation.com
“We can give one gay man, a fellow San Diegan, the gift of freedom,” said Canon Albert Ogle who co- chaired a holiday party event at LifeHOUSE Thursday to pay for Joseph’s bail.
Tax deductible tickets or donations can be purchased through the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation. “This money will really help both Ugandans to find a place where they no longer live in constant fear and stress”, said Canon Ogle.
“I can think of no greater gift that we could give to anyone this season than to give someone the gift of freedom. Joseph’s haunting story makes that biblical passage from Isaiah, also used by Jesus in his first public sermon so relevant to this season of Advent: that we are to “bring good news to the poor.. to proclaim release to captives and to let the oppressed go free”, reflected Ogle.
You can either go online and make a tax deductable donation by checking the donate button on the right http://compasstocompassion.org/ or send a check to:
St. Paul’s Foundation
St. Paul’s Cathedral
2728 Sixth Avenue
San Diego CA 92103
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SOURCE: Albert Ogle | Compass to Compassion
San Diego LGBT Weekly makes no endorsement of the cause named in this article and encourages readers to fact check before making any donations.
