For the second interview in our Angelic Troublemakers series, we had the pleasure of speaking with activist, author, and recent NYU graduate, Edafe Okporo. Edafe was born in Warri, Nigeria. He migrated to the United States in 2016 as an asylum seeker and is now a refugee of the United States. He is a global gay rights activist, the founder of Refuge America, and one of the country’s most visible voices on the issue of displacement. We spoke about the issues of detainment for immigrants in the US, especially difficult for trans people seeking asylum and LGBTQ people. Edafe’s story is inspiring and powerful, reminding us that our work for equality must include marginalized people in the immigrant community. Edafe is the author of the book ASYLUM: A Memoir and Manifesto. He brings a personal commitment to his refugee work and the premise of his book: that home is not where you feel safe and welcome only but also how you make others feel safe and welcome.
Learn more about Edafe:
- Web: https://www.edafeokporo.com/
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edafeokporo
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/edafeokporo
- Order your copy of ASYLUM, A Memoir & manifesto: https://www.edafeokporo.com/book
To learn more about the immigration detention system in the U.S., click here:
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