AKQA profiles desperate LGBTQ + asylum seekers in Sweden
West Pride appointed the six refugees “Ambassadors of Pride” to highlight their assimilation into Swedish society and strengthen their applications for asylum. The organization also gives them legal advice and urges everyone to do so sign a petition calls for immigration reform.
“We have an obligation to protect fundamental, inalienable human rights,” said the agency’s senior creative Jesper Ståhl. “If we can not only pay attention to a broken asylum system but have a tangible, life-changing solution as part of the idea, we can create a meaningful spark of change.”
The refugees tell their own stories in detail herewhich reveals the degrading, inhuman treatment they are subjected to on a daily basis.
- “Where I come from, who I am is considered a crime,” says Nour. “In Morocco, my brothers wanted to force me to marry a woman. When I told them I would not do it, they threatened to kill me. I am terrified of my family because I know they will do it if they ever do. get it. the chance. “
- “It will be the end for me if I have to go back,” Serena reveals. “A friend at school was stoned to death by an Islamic militia group, just because she dressed unusually. They showed me the pictures of her head after it had happened. Another girl was shot to death because they suspected she was gay. Coming soon “People started questioning why I was not interested in boys. I knew that if anyone found out who I was, they would kill me right away. And nothing would happen to them if they did.”
- “In the factory where I worked, I met a boy my own age that I fell in love with,” says Khalid. “One day our boss found out what we were doing and told my uncle. After that I was constantly beaten. My uncle threatened to tell everyone and send me back to Afghanistan where I would be stoned to death. Under constant threat was I had to work so that he would not expose me. “
These stories have great power. They explore the darkest depths of human nature and drive home the need for proud initiatives to promote empathy and justice year-round.
“The main goal is to stop more LGBTQ refugees from being wrongfully sent back to persecution or death,” explains AKQA senior creative Simon Magnusson. “How we achieve this for these six ambassadors can be through immediate public awareness and outrage, and then in a broader and more long-term sense, we also hope to be able to bring about changes in legislation and immigration policy.”
He adds: “By telling these stories, the campaign aims to make people aware of the subjective and inhuman asylum system that exists throughout the Western world today.”
West Pride’s annual festival, focused on creating safe places for the LGBTQ + community and promoting diversity in Sweden, is planned for 13-19 June in Gothenburg.
CREDIT
AKQA
Rasmus Keger – Group Creative Director
Ander Hernando – Design Director
Jesper Ståhl – Senior Creative
Sebastian Regfeldt – Senior Creative
Simon Magnusson – Senior Creative
Nicola Stockmann – Customer partner
Gabriella Moberg – Project Manager
Sam Andrews – Executive Experience Director
Uros Petrevski – Strategic Design Director
Florent Segouin – Creative Development Manager
Gianluca Vedovato – Developer
Beverly Enrico – Assistant Creative Technician