In Jamaica, where religion shapes moral order and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals is rampant, openly living as a transgender person can be life-threatening. Terry-Kay Walker, 38, experienced this danger firsthand after a fashion show in New Kingston. While walking home with her best friend, they were approached by a man, leading to a frantic escape. Gunshots rang out, and Walker discovered she had been shot in the leg, a targeted attack based on her gender identity.
Walker has long endured violence and discrimination in Jamaica, conditions that forced her into homelessness and sex work. After years of instability, she contacted Rainbow Railroad, a Toronto-based advocacy group that assists LGBTQ+ individuals facing persecution globally. The organization reported a record increase in requests for help, with a 51 percent rise from 2024 to 2025, highlighting the escalating challenges for LGBTQ+ people worldwide.
In a report released on June 20, 2025, the organization noted receiving over 20,000 requests for assistance from individuals in various countries, including the United States and Uganda. Devon Matthews, Chief Programs Officer at Rainbow Railroad, explained that rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment worldwide is causing heightened urgency for help, particularly in regions affected by conflict and crises.
Walker reached her breaking point in 2024 after receiving a threatening message that included a disturbing video of a murdered friend. Fearing for her life, she sought assistance from Rainbow Railroad. However, her attempts to report her situation to local authorities were met with skepticism, as police in Jamaica have a notorious history of neglecting reports from the LGBTQ+ community.
After contacting Rainbow Railroad, Walker provided evidence of her injuries from past attacks. The organization worked quickly to secure her a new passport so she could flee Jamaica. Her first escape plan led her to Amsterdam in 2024, but she was denied boarding due to the lack of a return ticket, a humiliating experience that left her feeling trapped.
Eventually, another escape plan facilitated her journey to Bogotá, Colombia, where she filed a refugee claim with the U.S. under its Priority 1 (P-1) pathway for at-risk LGBTQ+ individuals. Although her application was approved in November 2024, political changes in the U.S. under President Donald Trump led to the cancelation of the program for LGBTQ+ refugees, further complicating her journey.
It wasn't until her third attempt that Walker successfully arrived in Canada through the Government-Assisted Refugees program (GAR), which allows referrals by organizations like Rainbow Railroad. The GAR program, initiated in 2023, enabled the referral of 250 individuals for resettlement in Canada annually. However, funding cuts by the Canadian government under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have severely affected the program, amplifying challenges for LGBTQ+ refugees seeking safety.
In March 2026, the Canadian government passed Bill C-12, altering the asylum claim process. Critics, including Matthews, voiced concerns that the new stipulations could endanger refugees by requiring them to make claims within a year of arrival, risking deportation to their home countries where they may face persecution.
Walker arrived in Toronto in December 2025, relieved to finally live without fear of persecution. She expressed skepticism about her newfound safety after her previous experience with the U.S. immigration system but remains hopeful. “Being from the streets, you go through so much; nothing can break you,” she said, reflecting on her past struggles.
Preparing for her first Pride celebration in Toronto at the end of June, Walker expressed her excitement about participating in the parade with community members from The 519 community center. “I’m overly excited and counting down the days!” she exclaimed, marking a significant achievement after her turbulent journey to safety. Yet, for thousands still reaching out to Rainbow Railroad, the need for assistance remains urgent.
