That's why we're making the appeal from here to get an assurance from the Canadian government that they will guarantee they will give us the 200 visas. Then we can go and pick those individuals from neighbouring Kenya. Then they can designate a visa officer to work with us. He could be called John or Jane, and Jane will have to consider what I'm telling her ought to be done.
There needs to be a lot of work done when you are discussing issues of sexual orientation and how certain institutions will work around these issues, and whether they're having local staff working there, for example. I say this because I've also heard horror stories about the camps. Gays and lesbians made their way to the camp and they're saying that it's not good there at all; they're scared, they're worried for their lives, and some of them have ended up leaving the camp.
So it's a no-win situation. That's why I'm making more of an urgent appeal. If the government can expedite that mission of these individuals, then we can take it from there. What's the next step? How can we work policy around that? Even the visa applications themselves, when it comes to GLBT issues, there is no way around it—no way around it. The existing visas are for visitors, students, and business. How can you come forward as a gay refugee? It's impossible. It's actually a discussion I'm having with Professor Nicole LaViolette from Ottawa University. She sits on the UNHCR committee on issues to do with sexual orientation. They're exploring avenues for how to address these visa issues.