Para sa mga LGBTQIA+ asylum seeker at refugee na kalahok sa isang pag-aaral, ang kalikasan ay hindi lang lugar ng pagtitipon kundi isang ligtas na kanlungan kung saan sila ay tinatanggap at hindi hinuhusgahan.
Si Ian Seal, executive director ng Many Coloured Sky, isang organisasyong sumusuporta sa mga LGBTQIA+ refugee at asylum seeker sa Melbourne, ay nagsabing malaking hamon sa kanilang komunidad ang matinding pakiramdam ng pag-iisa.
"People from their own cultural background are the ones that they feel least safe with and least connected to here in Australia, because they represent a culture that people have had to flee," aniya.
"Many of our community members talk about having to make a choice between: Do I stay connected to my culture and my background and my family and community? Or do I find a place in LGBTIQ+ community?"
Naranasan din ito ni Mim nang lumipat siya sa Australia mula Vietnam 11 taon na ang nakalipas.
"I was very shy and my English was limited. So I mostly stayed with my Vietnamese community. I try to hide my sexuality and my identity as well," ito ang ibinahagi nila sa SBS Examines.
Inanyayahan si Mim na sumali sa isang walong linggong programang nakatuon sa kalikasan kasama ang 36 pang LGBTQIA+ refugee at asylum seeker.
Sa programa, nagbi-birdwatching sila, nagsalo-salo ng pagkain at nagbahaginan ng karanasan sa labas, naglakad sa tabing-dagat, at nagtanim sa hardin.
Ayon sa lead researcher na si Nerkez Opacin, nabawasan ang pakiramdam ng pag-iisa ng mga kalahok matapos ang programa, at mas tumibay ang kanilang koneksyon sa kalikasan.
"[Nature] serves as a neutral, non-judgemental ground to connect."
Ayon kay Mim, ang programa ay isang banayad at magaan na paraan para makilala ang ibang tao at makipag-ugnayan sa kanila.
"Nature is healing ... I feel peace."
Sa episode na ito ng SBS Examines, tatalakayin natin kung paano makakatulong ang kalikasan sa paglaban sa pakiramdam ng pag-iisa at kalungkutan.
📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
🔊 On Air – Tune in to SBS Filipino on radio stations across Australia and website live stream, and TV Channel 302 from 10 AM to 11 AM AEST daily.
📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit sbs.com.au/filipino or stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube Podcasts, and SBS Audio app.
📣 Follow Us on Social Media – Stay updated by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
