What to know
- Trail Movement Toronto launches on World Refugee Day to support racialized Queer refugees, asylum seekers and newcomers through community-focused programming.
- Founded by leaders with lived refugee experience, the organization aims to address gaps in settlement services by creating culturally responsive spaces for belonging, wellness and empowerment.
- Programs will include peer support, financial literacy workshops, entrepreneurship training and nature-based activities designed to foster connection and resilience.
A new Toronto-based organization is turning lived experience into action, creating spaces where BIPOC Queer newcomers and refugees can find community, healing and a sense of belonging.
Arriving as a refugee from Jamaica 10 years ago, Ricardo Simpson was looking to create a life grounded in community and safety, things that are not always easy for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the Caribbean to come by. But after arriving in Canada, Simpson says there were different challenges to adjusting to life in a new country.
“Being in Canada, getting to a safe place, is a journey,” he told Queer & Now. “It’s a journey of understanding who you are. It’s a journey of navigating the system. It’s a journey of acceptance.”
Now, a decade later, Simpson is creating the kind of support network he wishes he had on arrival.
On June 20, World Refugee Day, Trail Movement Toronto will officially launch with a mission to support “Black and Brown Queer refugees, asylum seekers and newcomers through community-building, wellness programming and culturally responsive support.”
The organization was founded by Simpson and executive director Dave Kerr, who are harnessing their lived experience as 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers, as well as years of work in refugee advocacy and settlement services, to create community spaces for newcomers like them.
“We realized there are systemic gaps that exist,” Simpson said. “There are organizations that focus on housing and education, but Queer refugees face unique challenges around belonging, isolation and community.”
Escaping persecution, alone
The duo explained that for many Queer refugees, arriving in Canada means escaping persecution for their gender identity or sexuality, while simultaneously leaving behind family, support networks and community.
“Very often they come to spaces like Canada not having community, not having support,” Kerr told Queer & Now, adding that, unlike many newcomers who arrive with family or friends, because of their reasons for relocation, the majority of 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees face the additional challenge of arriving in Canada alone.
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“A big part of the work we will do is… providing a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose and bringing back dignity to refugees,” Kerr shared.
Trail Movement hopes to address the unique needs of Queer, racialized refugees through a variety of programs, including peer support sessions, financial literacy workshops, entrepreneurship training and a hiking initiative, For the Love of Hiking.
Nature as an outlet
While hiking may seem like an unusual element for an organization focused on refugee support, coming to a country like Canada, Simpson says nature played a critical role in his own healing journey.
“Nature provided that outlet for me,” he shared, explaining that the trail itself is also a symbol of the journey newcomers take to find a new home.
“When we reference the trail, we’re thinking about the journey that we take as Queer refugees,” the organization’s founder shared. “There are inclines and declines, and challenges along the way. But our aim is to create support around that journey.”
Dedicated spaces for racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees
The organization’s leaders say creating spaces specifically for racialized Queer refugees is essential, because many existing programs fail to account for the realities of navigating multiple identities at once.
“People need to see true representation,” Kerr said. “We want individuals to experience programs that are culturally responsive to their needs and to see examples of people who have come through the system and are thriving.”
For Simpson, the importance of refugee-led spaces comes down to visibility and understanding.
“We are Black-led, community-led and refugee-led,” he explained. “Safe spaces matter because visibility matters. If you’ve gone through it yourself, you understand what support is needed.”
As anti-refugee rhetoric continues to grow globally and many newcomers face increasing uncertainty, Trail Movement’s founders hope to offer something simple but powerful: connection.
“Chosen families are important,” Simpson said. “Especially when you’re in a new country and struggling with isolation.”
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His message to newcomers who may be feeling overwhelmed is one he wishes someone had told him years ago.
“Be patient with yourself,” he said. “You are not alone. You are an asset. You are loved, and there is support out there for you to be your authentic self.”
For Trail Movement, Simpson explained that support begins with a simple invitation: come as you are, and walk the journey together.
“Join us on our hikes, join us on our trails, join in our conversations as we approach this program, and in this new world together.
The organization is launching on June 20, with online community-building sessions planned throughout the summer, and the first hiking trip set for August 22. You can find out more information on the Trail Movement Website.
