Latest news with #TRLS
ABC News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service reports rising number of LGBTQIA+ clients who 'fear for their life' if returned home
Holding hands, a kiss — they're simple and sweet displays of affection. But Sam* doesn't take them for granted. Sam comes from a country where being gay is considered "against the order of nature" and is enough to land them more than a decade in jail. They said it's a place where civilians "take matters into their own hands" and turn their neighbours in, where intimate details of someone's life are shamed in the media. It wasn't until Sam came to Australia as a teenager that they were free to explore their sexuality for the first time — albeit in secret from their parents. "I was more comfortable with just being myself and expressing that part of myself," they said. So, when their family's application for permanent residency was knocked back, and the possibility of returning loomed large, Sam took matters into their own hands. "I was like, 'no, I can't go back, I can't hide myself anymore,'" Sam said. LGBTQIA+ people with a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on their gender or sexuality can be considered refugees under Australia's Migration Act. Sam turned to the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service (TRLS), arguing to the Department of Home Affairs that being gay exposed them to serious harm. Their application for permanent protection was successful. "I felt like a weight was lifted off my back, like I was so relieved," they said. Sixty-seven countries criminalise people for their sexual orientation, with punishments ranging from months behind bars to a life sentence. In some places, it's the death penalty. TRLS principal lawyer Patrick O'Connor said the danger often extended beyond the state, to hostility from families and the community and systemic discrimination in employment, housing, health and education. Mr O'Connor said the service was representing a growing number of clients in similar circumstances to Sam — as were his interstate colleagues — the majority coming to the end of student, work or holiday visas. And he believed there could be many more with legitimate asylum claims — potentially hundreds in Tasmania alone — that hadn't come forward, likely out of fear of retribution or because they didn't understand Australia's domestic law. Mr O'Connor is seeking funding to dedicate a lawyer to this caseload, and to run community workshops around Tasmania providing general legal education to help people understand the law, and make them feel comfortable approaching the service. "There's a lot at stake for the applicant," he said. "Providing legal representation is critical, and is life-changing, and can make all the difference." More community outreach and legal support is something Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania also endorses. But she said it was vital all new arrivals, not just from the LGBTQIA+ community, were taught gender and sexuality discrimination was not tolerated in Australia. "All people who have diverse gender identities and sexual orientations are vulnerable in the community, but for those who are from migrant backgrounds, from refugee backgrounds and from asylum seeker backgrounds, they're extremely vulnerable," she said. "They may be particularly wary of connecting with their cultural community here because they know that their cultural community won't accept them and will discriminate against them. Ms Long said it was vital that services understood how various aspects of someone's identity — including country of origin, race, ethnicity, language, gender and sexuality — intersected and supported LGBTQIA+ migrants accordingly. For Sam, the new-found security has "opened up a whole world of possibilities". *Name has been changed.
Malaysian Reserve
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
First Federal Bank Facilitates Three Rivers Legal Services Grant
LAKE CITY, Fla., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (TRLS), in partnership with First Federal Bank (FFB), was awarded an Heirs Property Family Wealth Protection Fund grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB Atlanta), for the purpose of providing free legal services regarding heirs property and estate planning to 'homeowners' of North Florida. Homeowners who reside in the counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, Taylor or Union, and have household incomes below 120% of the Area Median Income, will be eligible to apply for legal services related to heirs property and estate planning. Residents whose homes were damaged as the result of Hurricanes Idalia, Debby or Helene will be given priority for full representation. 'TRLS helps individuals and their families navigate complex scenarios,' says John Medina, President and CEO of First Federal Bank. 'First Federal Bank is honored to help facilitate access to legal services to these deserving homeowners.' 'Heirs property' is real property that is currently titled in the name of a deceased individual, regardless of whether the homeowner had a Will at the time of their death. TRLS will provide legal representation in probate matters to the heir(s) of the property in an effort to have the property legally titled in the name of the resident heir. These clients, along with homeowners who already possess clear title to their homes, will be eligible to apply for legal services related to Estate Planning (wills and deeds) in an effort to prevent future heirs property issues. 'TRLS is grateful to First Federal Bank and FHLB Atlanta for the funding, which will allow TRLS to serve more clients in the designated counties' says Donna MacRae, Executive Director of Three Rivers Legal Services. For more information on how to help Three Rivers Legal Services, visit About First Federal Bank: First Federal Bank is a leading financial institution committed to serving the needs of its customers and communities. With banking locations in northern Florida and coastal South Carolina, First Federal Bank is a community-owned bank that provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking solutions, services, and loans. Additionally, SBA and USDA customers are served by lending offices across the Southeast and Midwest, and mortgages are offered nationwide. With over $3.9 billion in assets, First Federal is headquartered in Lake City, Florida and has a steadfast focus on innovation and customer satisfaction. For over 20 years the bank has consistently been recommended by BauerFinancial, Inc. Furthermore, Newsweek named First Federal the 'Best Small Bank in Florida' for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 and 'Best Regional Bank' for 2024 and 2025. To learn more, visit the website at About Three Rivers Legal Services: Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (TRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to low-income or otherwise disadvantaged individuals and families in North Florida. Services include advice and consultation, brief services (drafting legal documents), negotiation, and full representation in court and/or administrative cases. TRLS services are limited to civil legal matters, including but not limited to probate, estate planning, housing law, consumer law, family law, public benefits (Social Security, SSI, Medicaid), elder law, sealing and expungement of criminal records, and education law. To learn more visit
