In July 2024, 32-year-old Rahma Esslouani experienced an overwhelming sense of safety and freedom when she arrived at Toronto Pearson Airport, a feeling she hadn’t known in over a decade. Esslouani, who endured continuous violence and persecution in Morocco due to her gender and sexual identity, sought asylum in Canada with the assistance of a local charity.
Esslouani described her struggles in Morocco, revealing that she always felt more attracted to women and preferred wearing clothes that aligned with her identity rather than traditional attire. Her desire to express herself led to violence in school and harassment in her workplace. As a receptionist in a hotel, her co-workers constantly mocked her for her short hair and masculine-presenting wardrobe, while also pressuring her to go on dates with men.
Her family life proved to be even more challenging. In 2019, Esslouani was confronted with an arranged marriage. “They just set up everything and said, in one month you are getting married,” she recounted, expressing disbelief and fear. When she resisted, her brother responded with violence, locking her in a room for three days, while her mother and sister condemned her actions, claiming she would bring shame to the family. This intense pressure propelled Esslouani to plan her escape from Morocco.
With the help of a friend, Esslouani quickly booked a flight to Türkiye. However, her initial relief upon arriving in Türkiye soon morphed into despair as she encountered severe discrimination and homophobic violence. “One day, I was walking home from the beach, and these two men started walking towards me,” she recalled, sharing a harrowing experience where she was assaulted for her gender presentation.
This incident was not an isolated one; further violence ensued when she was arrested by a subway train operator who targeted her because of her behavior. Esslouani described being detained in a cell and subsequently taken to a deportation center where her refugee card was revoked. “I had no idea what was happening. I didn’t have my phone. They took everything,” she explained, highlighting her feelings of hopelessness during this time.
After a few days, Esslouani was released and began reaching out to LGBTQ+ organizations for assistance, although many turned her away. Eventually, she connected with a Canadian charity named Rainbow Railroad, dedicated to helping queer and transgender individuals facing persecution worldwide. The organization offered her hope, responding promptly with words of support, which meant a great deal to her in that dark period.
With Rainbow Railroad's help, Esslouani successfully filed an asylum claim and immigrated to Toronto in July 2024. According to the charity’s annual report, she is part of a significant number, with the organization supporting 5,916 individuals over the past year. Devon Matthews, the head of programs at Rainbow Railroad, noted a concerning trend of declining LGBTQ+ rights and highlighted that Canada remains unique in offering direct refugee referral access to queer organizations.
Rainbow Railroad’s support for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers increased dramatically, reportedly by 1,000% from 2020 to 2024. As the Canadian government contemplates tightening immigration, Matthews urged officials to reaffirm their commitment to those seeking refuge from persecution. “Canada should want to continue its commitment and its long legacy and history of being a country that was welcoming of newcomers,” Matthews emphasizes.
For Esslouani, moving to Canada has been a life-saving opportunity. “Because of Rainbow Railroad, I am still alive,” she stated. Now living freely in Toronto, she can express herself without fear, walking hand-in-hand with her partner. This week, she plans to celebrate her newfound freedom by attending her first-ever Pride event, a significant milestone after years of persecution.
