This session, hosted by a panel of Canadian immigration and refugee lawyers, provides essential guidance for LGBTQ+ Americans exploring options for relocating to Canada. With rising concerns over safety, legal protections, and quality of life, many LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. are looking north for greater security and acceptance.

Our speakers clarify the realities and limitations of seeking asylum in Canada, highlighting the legal standards and evidentiary challenges involved in making a refugee claim. While Canada is known for its inclusive refugee policies, the system is not designed for everyone, and successful claims must meet specific legal criteria. Due to the unprecedented nature of these claims, there are a lot of unknowns out there at the moment.  

Beyond the refugee system, the panel will also explore alternative immigration pathways, including family sponsorship, work permits, study permits, and economic immigration streams. The discussion will aim to empower attendees with accurate, practical information to help them make informed decisions about their futures.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from legal professionals about the complexities of Canadian immigration and to learn what options might be right for you or your loved ones.

Connie Campbell has been practicing immigration and refugee law in British Columbia since their call to the bar in 2019. Connie's work focuses on queer family migration, claims for refugee protection, and defense against allegations of inadmissibility to Canada for criminality, security, and other complex grounds. Connie volunteers with the Qmunity name and gender ID clinic and Rainbow Refugee's Probono Students Canada project, and was previously a part time staff lawyer with the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre's Transgender Legal Clinic. 

In 1984, Ken Smith and Rob Hughes opened the first Canadian law office focused on serving the queer community - Smith & Hughes. They fought for LGBTQ+ equality and human rights until Ken retired in 2011. Rob continues to practice under the name of Out/Law Immigration. In 2000, Rob co-founded the Rainbow Refugee Society with Chris Morrissey as a support group for queer refugee claimants in Vancouver.

Brian Yuen was called to the bar in 2008. His volunteer work and service in the queer community goes as far back as the mid-90s when he volunteered at the XI International Conference on Aids. He is a former director of YouthCO Aids Society, and a former co-chair of the former Gay and Lesbian Business Association of BC. Brian has been the co-chair of this sections predecessor, SOGIC, both in BC, and he was the national chair in 2017. He is currently honourary member at large for the national section. For the past few years, Brian has been practicing immigration and refugee law, along with estate litigation and estate planning.  Most of Brian’s refugee clients are in fact LGBTQ claimants, mostly from Africa, Asia and Central America.