Tributes for a 2SLGBTQ+ defender known for a long time, loved and known have adorned the headlines of social networks and news since the death of Chris Morrissey on Monday.
Among those who remind a friend and a fighter is Yogi Omar, who described Morrissey as a “hero.”
“She means a lot for queer immigrants,” said Omar, who is from Indonesia, to CBC News. “He is always doing something for the queer community, he was always trying to make the queer community a better, more cozy, more diverse, more inclusive place for everyone.”
Morrissey, who died surrounded by loved ones at the age of 82, was well known for founding the refugee of the rainbow in 2000. The organization based in Vancouver helps people fleeing persecution based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, and began after Morrissey experienced a difficult immigration experience with his partner.
The co -president of Rainbow’s refugees, Shaalyn Jordan, described her late friend as “indomitable, extraordinary and fiercely loving.”
A pioneer who advocated immigrants and refugees from the 2SLGBTQ+ community is being remembered by friends and members of the community after his death on Monday. Chris Morrissey was known for challenging Canadian immigration laws to recognize same -sex couples, as well as their recent defense on behalf of the elderly. Meera Bains has more about what he achieved.
Beginnings centered on the community
Jordan said Morrissey was raised in Prince George, BC, by a family very oriented to the community.
Morrissey finally became a nun, which took her to Albany, New York, where she met Bridget Coll.
“His first mission that were sent together was Chile during the Pinochet regime,” Jordan told CBC On the coast Host Gloria Macarenko. “They were working very closely with women’s organizations on issues of poverty and in protesting the dictatorship. It was a brave work against torture what they were doing.”
The couple would become partners of life, but when Morrissey tried to bring Coll, of Irish and American citizenship, Canada in the early 90s, they were told that same -sex relationships were not recognized under the immigration law.
“Then, they went to court,” Jordan explained.
“They held a press conference, which in the early 90s was a big problem. At that time, we had no equal protection, employment protection, housing protection. But being public, they ended up gathering other people in same -sex relationships, homosexual and lesbian relationships, strange relationships that faced similar struggles.”
Canada’s immigration laws were changed in 2001allowing same -sex couples to sponsor each other for immigration.
Legitimate, Rainbow Refuge
Morrissey formed the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force, also known as Legit, an organization focused on helping people navigate the immigration process, in 1991.
“Anyone who has moved here from another place that is hostile to be rare, is very difficult,” Omar said. “Often, when you move away, you get upset, whether you are an immigrant or if you are a different city, you don’t have those roots and have a complete network is so important … [Chris] It is always great support in that world. “
Morrissey then advocated him Immigration law that will be changed Recognize same -sex couples as a family, and she formed raincoiris refugee.
“Rainbow Refugee is an organization that now creates communities of belonging among queer and trans refugees,” Jordan said.
“We will continue doing that job in honor of Chris.”
Morrissey received the order of Canada in 2019 for his work that supports immigrants 2SLGBTQ+.
“His legacy is his search for other people to be a very authentic strange person,” Omar said. “I think Chris’s legacy speaks very faithful to the people who just want to be, and who do not like something in the government, the community, whatever, and fight and know where to stand on the correct side of the story and continue fighting, but loving so much at the same time.”
