Often, only in theory does a pathway truly exist. I often communicate with queer refugees at the UN-run Kakuma camp in Kenya.

Invariably, I hear that camp leaders dismiss the concerns of queer refugees, refuse to help them apply for asylum, and foster unsafe living environments for queer people who had to flee to the camp.

One of the last refugees I wrote a story about actually fled the Kakuma camp — because of anti-LGBTQ violence there and because he had been frustrated in his efforts to apply for asylum. He never was given the opportunity to apply for asylum, UN staff blocking him at every step.

A group of queer women smuggled him to a safe house instead. At least he has food and shelter there, but he's no closer to applying for asylum then he ever was.

Make no mistake, the international refugee "system" is staffed by many homophobic bigots who work hard to block queer people from obtaining assistance and asylum.

And the US government certainly isn't helping. The Biden administration has put up so many obstacles for queer refugees that it's just sickening.

Thank you very much for your story. Frances's determination to vote is inspiring. I just hope that his vote can mean something. Right now for refugees, I don't think a vote for either US political party is going to truly help refugees, including queer refugees, maybe especially including queer refugees.

That fills me with grief.