Explore what we’ve accomplished in 2023:

2023 BY THE NUMBERS

OUR TEAM AND WORK

Our clients represent a multitude of cultures and life experiences, demonstrating the need for culturally responsive services for all LGBTQ+ immigrants. Since 2017, we have directly represented over 2,700 LGBTQ+ individuals from 68 different countries. We never turn a client away due to their ability to pay, and work with clients to ensure that they are getting legal and social services support in their preferred languages. Over 60% of our clients are non-English speakers.

It is a crime and/or extremely unsafe to be LGBTQ+ or HIV-positive in more than 80 countries. By the end of 2023, we represented clients from over 68 different countries.

LGBTQ+ immigrants exist at the intersection of multiple systems of oppression and face unique roadblocks in obtaining economic and social well-being. For undocumented queer and trans immigrants, asylum offers protection from deportation, extreme abuse, and potential death. According to 2021 data from the Williams Institute, there are an estimated 300,000 undocumented LGBTQ+ immigrants in the U.S., with at least 60,000 in California.

Out of 347 new clients in 2023, 11% identify as trans or nonbinary, 93% are Latine, and 78% live at 200% or below the Federal Poverty Level.

21% of 206 clients whose asylum cases were opened in 2023 are from the Central Valley. Across our offices, one in five of our new asylum clients in 2023 is living with HIV.

By the end of 2023, we have helped 566 LGBTQ+ immigrants gain asylum. Still, nearly 1,000 of our clients remain stuck in the asylum backlog, with some waiting over seven years for an asylum interview.

1 in 5 of Oasis’ Clients in 2023 is Living with HIV

LGBTQ+ asylum seekers flee their countries due to a variety of dangers, including physical, psychological, and sexual violence. For many, remaining in their countries is also a danger to their health. Due to structural barriers and cultural attitudes, many LGBTQ+ people, including those living with HIV, are not able to receive adequate health care nor medication in their native countries. 

According to Yale School of Medicine (2017), the stigmas directed toward sexual minorities and toward immigrants put LGBTQ+ (particularly gay, bisexual men and women, and transgender women) immigrants at high risk of HIV exposure. 

100% of our clients remain at higher risk of contracting HIV. Through our intake process, we learn that many have never even been tested for HIV, and only learn about resources and preventative care when they come through our doors. When clients come to Oasis, we provide them with an HIV Resource Guide (available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese) and connect them to health care providers who are committed to serving LGBTQ+ people. 

Due to funding support from partners like Gilead Sciences, Inc. and ViiV Healthcare, we provide free immigration services to all clients who are HIV-positive.

2023: 6th Annual Community Celebration

On October 14th, 2023, we held our 6th Annual Community Celebration at the world-famous San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center. Our theme, “More Than the Journey,”  was inspired by poet Warsan Shire, and her piece entitled “Home.” We wanted to acknowledge everyone’s unique experiences in finding a sense of belonging and safety. That night, we honored our clients’ journeys through asylum and beyond.

Our Special Projects Director (and Co-Founder), Caroline Kornfield Roberts, and Board Chair, Rhina Ramos, shared heartfelt messages for our award recipients.

As our biggest fundraising event of the year, we partnered with queer-owned businesses and LGBTQ+ musicians to spotlight the talents of our community. As a young organization, all levels of support contribute to our sustainability. Our community partners, donations, and various visible displays of support not only help our organization grow, but they show our clients that they are not alone and that they are cared for. There were many promises by partners and community members to collaborate, volunteer, and deepen relationships. Months after the event, we continued to receive positive feedback from attendees about their experience and excitement to continue supporting our mission.

Institutional Partners

American Immigration Lawyers Association, Bigglesworth Family Foundation, California Access to Justice Commission, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, County of Santa Clara, Firedoll Foundation, Gamma Mu Foundation, Gilead Sciences Inc., Horizons Foundation, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Legal Services Funder Network, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, State of California Department of Social Services, The City & County of San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs, ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action Community Grant Program, Zellerbach Family Foundation, van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation

2023 Annual Celebration Sponsors

BPM LLC, Bankston Immigration Law Office, Bill & Renée Sherer, Dan Brotsky & Shawna Hartman Brotsky, Horizons Foundation, Jack Kornfield, Jena Lee, Morrison Foerster LLP, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), Perkins Coie LLP, Rainbow Grocery

In-Kind Donors

Adventure Cat Sailing Charters, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), Contemporary Jewish Museum, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Idlewild Wines, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Oakland Athletics (A's), Oakland Museum of CA (OMCA), Olga Vodka, Pax Wines, Russell Jew of Glass Art Photography, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MoMA), Two Pitchers Brewing Company

Pro Bono Attorneys

Anne Rowley, Barbara Mitchell, Catherine (Jieying) Xie, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Lowey LLP, Halyna Hegde, Julie Nagorski, Lindsey Frischer, Morrison Foerster LLP, Nanette Joslyn King, Nghi Nguyen, Richard Severy, Roxanne Salas, Vicki Laden, Catherine (Jieying) Xie, Zeena Barazanji

Volunteers

Alondra Covarrubias, Bill Sherer, Cynthia Neiman, Daniel Bui, Deva Senapathy, Dylan Davis, Eric Cameron, Hannah Mirza, Janet Saevitz, Jay Phatak, Kathy Schwarz, Linda Moller, Louie Moller, Mary Huong Chu-Nguyen, Megan Ahmad Hassanzadi, Micheal Mendez, Nadia Ghani, Navdeep Kaur, Randy Davis, Sara Khosrowshahi Asl, Sarah Bruno, Scott Davis, Surya Devasenapathy, Tomas Cazares