Muslim. Queer. Malaysian. Finding Home in America.

Storytelling is at the heart of Refuge America’s vision and mission. As we begin 2026, we are grounding our work in the story of an LGBTQ asylum seeker whose journey reminds us why we continue to fight for more pathways for members of our community to live freely, safely, and with dignity.

For generations, people have come to the United States in search of opportunity. For Teddy and his husband, that opportunity meant the chance to be together and to live openly as queer, Muslim, and Malaysian. In New York City, they began to glimpse what that freedom could look like.

Leaving home meant carrying deep fear: fear of loving openly and fear of never finding a place where they truly belonged. Yet in the process of learning to trust again, they found something enduring. They found home in each other.

Today, amid ongoing attacks on immigrant communities, Teddy and his partner are building a life in the big city. They are finding refuge not only in safety, but in love, resilience, and community. Their story reflects the reality of millions of people who cross borders for one simple reason: the freedom to love who they love and to share that love openly and freely in a new home.

At the same time, their journey sends a powerful message back home in Malaysia. It is an honest reminder that while the United States offers possibility, rebuilding a life here is difficult and requires courage, support, and community. 

Teddy’s story is why Refuge America exists, to ensure that LGBTQ asylum seekers are not forced to navigate that journey alone, and that more people have the chance to build lives rooted in safety, and belonging.

Join us in making America a place of welcome for all. We have started fundraising for our 2026 programs and you can make a difference no matter where you are.