Ahmed Alaa calls it the best five minutes of his life — the moment when he courageously held up a rainbow flag at a concert in Cairo last September. But that moment led to a crackdown against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people in Egypt, which continues to unfold today.

On stage was Mashrou' Leila, a Lebanese band with a devoted queer following; the lead singer is openly gay and its members have been outspoken on LGBTQI human rights. Alaa and a friend were big fans, and boldly hoisted the rainbow flag high in the air, surrounded by a crowd of 35,000.

“We felt like we were our emperors of our own kingdom,” says Alaa, 22, through an interpreter, beaming and ready to share his story. “In that moment, we were conquering hatred. We felt powerful, like no one could stop us from expressing ourselves.”

When he got home, he posted a couple photos on Facebook and went to bed. By the time he got up, the photos had gone viral and police were looking for him.

On Wednesday, we marked World Refugee Day, and this weekend is Toronto Pride. Both are opportunities to put a spotlight on the global refugee crisis and remember that LGBTQI asylum-seekers are particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Last year, Rainbow Railroad received 1,200 requests for help from LGBTQI people in immediate danger around the world. Of those, we were able to find paths to safety for 206 people — 57 of whom were from Chechnya, where another horrific anti-gay purge made international headlines.

Alaa knew his photos were travelling around the world when media picked up the story. Fearless, he even accepted interviews, and was just about to go on the BBC when Egyptian police arrested and charged him.

“They treat homosexuality the same as terrorism,” he says. “They put me in the same jail as people sentenced to death.”

Alaa’s is one of several stories of persecution I’ve heard directly from people in deep hiding in Egypt. I recently visited the country during Ramadan and witnessed the fear and anxiety of individuals arrested during the crackdown that ensued after the concert, and individuals who are in continuous cycles of entrapment and arrest by the police. For them, the situation is bleak, and they have limited opportunities to find refuge. Alaa is now safely in Toronto — just one of the 100 people Rainbow Railroad has helped flee persecution so far this year. A limited number come to Canada.

The right to seek asylum is enshrined in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Everyone has a right to freedom, safety, and dignity. But for many LGBTQI refugees, getting asylum is only the beginning of a new struggle.

According to the most recent report by the UN Refugee Agency, 16.2 million people were driven from their homes in 2017. It’s unclear how many of those identify as LGBTQI, but here’s what we do know: According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association, in 72 countries, queer and trans people face extreme levels of discrimination, violence, and persecution. They can be criminally charged under anti-gay laws that can result in life in prison.

In eight countries, the death penalty can be applied. In these places, LGBTQI people are frequently outed by the media, attacked by mobs, sexually assaulted, and rounded up in state-sanctioned crackdowns, after which they are tortured while in custody.

We also know that LGBTQI asylum-seekers face widespread discrimination and abuse as they move through international refugee systems. Trans individuals sometimes de-transition in order to survive the journey, which can be extremely damaging for many.LGBTQI people also face elevated risk of abuse when held in detention facilities. And even after they arrive in safe countries, some continue to live closeted lives, still traumatized and afraid of being sent back.

In addition to the alarming wave of mass arrests of LGBTQI people over the past year in Egypt and Chechnya, there have also been crackdowns in Indonesia, Tanzania, Iran and other countries as well.

After the Trump administration proposed its travel ban, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded via tweet: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada”

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Canada has a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in providing safe refuge to LGBTQI people facing immediate danger. We hope the government will work with Rainbow Railroad to help people find safety.

As the city celebrates Pride this weekend, rainbow flags will be held high — the international symbol of the queer movement and the rights we have won. This weekend, Ahmed will now be able to raise a flag knowing he is safe. Let’s make it the same for others.

Kimahli Powell is the executive director of Rainbow Railroad. To find out more, visit rainbowrailroad.ca.

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