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IF I HAD THE POWER

“If I Had the Power ” is a collection of campaign films made by Newcomers Youth. The films reveal the situation for young LGBTQI asylum seekers in Sweden. The aim of the campaign is to address the lack of security and justice for young LGBTQI asylum seekers in Sweden. This group are subject to systematic racism and homo, bi, and trans phobia.

The campaign offers a way forward by presenting recommendations made by LGBTQI asylum-seeking youth to politicians, decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders within the asylum and migration process in Sweden.

IF I HAD THE POWER – OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

The song If I had the power and its music video is one of the many methods we have used to highlight the situation of young LGBTQIA asylum seekers, migrants, and undocumented. The lyrics reflect upon the journeys of these young people and how they share similar experiences. Through the music, the youth have wanted to communicate to themselves and to the whole community, a message of self-love, freedom, and empowerment. Having to flee as a young person and leave an entire life behind to come to a new country is something that requires courage and hope for the future. With this song, we aim to inspire you to join our fight for equality and justice in the asylum process.

Producers: Haris Eloy & Alexandra Politidis Palm
Music by: Stefan Storm | A film by: Jad Nehmeh

Lyrics: English, Swedish

EPISODE 1: TWO YEARS LEFT

Akbar is an LGBTQI youth who applies for asylum in Sweden but gets a rejection. When Akbar gets rejected, he struggles to find a way to survive. Two Years Left tells the story of a broken and unjust system of oppression within the Swedish migration process.

Directed and produced by Tine Alavi

Spoken Language: Swedish
Subtitles: Swedish and English

EPISODE 2: LIKE I SEE MYSELF

Sara is a young transgendered person who comes to Sweden to visit someone she knows. Even though Sara has come to Sweden legally, she is caught by the police on arrival and placed in the Swedish Migration Board’s detention center. As I see myself, it is about racism and transphobia within the Swedish legal system.

Production: Haris Eloy
Interviewers: Adam Alian
Videography: Peter Nylund
Audio: Haris Eloy
Post Production: Tine Alavi

Spoken Language: Arabic
Subtitles: Swedish and English

EPISODE 3: DUBLIN

Ruby is an LGBTQI youth who gets entangled in the Dublin regulation and is forced back to Norway, where she fears rejection on her asylum case. Dublin tells the story of fear and setbacks for young LGBTQI asylum seekers in Sweden.

Production: Haris Eloy & Tine Alavi
Interviewers: Haris Eloy & Tine Alavi
Videography: Tine Alavi
Audio: Haris Eloy
Post Production: Tine Alavi


Spoken Language: English
Subtitles: Swedish and English

EPISODE 4: THERE ARE MANY TABOOS; I WANT TO BREAK

Jemal shares the story about how they came to Sweden and went from being shy and withdrawn to discovering themselves and their self-confidence. But the journey towards security and a secure future is long and full of difficulties. Jemal wants to say to everyone who has the asylum process ahead of them that anyone who is seeking asylum must be both brave and patient

Production: Haris Eloy
Interviewers: Andreas Paulsson
Videography: Andreas Paulsson
Audio: Haris Eloy & Alexandra Politidis Palm
Post Production: Jad Nehmeh

Spoken Language: Swedish
Subtitles: Swedish and English

EPISODE 5: LIVING UNDOCUMENTED

TW: Sexual abuse and suicidal thoughts.

In this episode, Abel describes their experience of living undocumented in Sweden. In addition to talking about the challenges, the discrimination, and the fear of deportation, the story discusses sexual assaults, rape, lack of medical care, and suicidal thoughts. Finally, they talk about how RFSL Ungdom has helped them find themselves again and to make friends.

Production: Haris Eloy
Interviewers: Haris Eloy & Tine Alavi
Videography: Tine Alavi
Audio: Haris Eloy & Alexandra Politidis Palm
Post Production: Jad Nehmeh

Spoken Language: English
Subtitles: Swedish and English

EPISODE 6: WHAT BOXES DO YOU PUT YOURSELF IN?

In this episode, Abel describes their experience of living undocumented in Sweden. In addition to talking about the challenges, the discrimination, and the fear of deportation, the story discusses sexual assaults, rape, lack of medical care, and suicidal thoughts. Finally, they talk about how RFSL Ungdom has helped them find themselves again and to make friends.

Production: Haris Eloy
Interviewers: Haris Eloy & Tine Alavi
Videography: Tine Alavi
Audio: Haris Eloy
Post Production: Jad Nehmeh

Spoken Language: English
Subtitles: Swedish and English


Campaign concept: Tine Alavi & Alexandra Politidis Palm
Distribution and campaign communication by Haris Eloy
Financer/grant by: Arvsfonden

ABOUT RFSL UNGDOM

RFSL Ungdom is the Swedish youth federation for LGBTQIA people’s rights. As a member, you contribute to a world filled with love and respect where all LGBTQIA youths are, live and express themselves as they want to. We make change together!

Everyone who is up to 30 years of age can become a member of RFSL Ungdom.

A membership step is required to participate in any of the activities or services offered by Newcomers Youth and RFSL Ungdom.

BECOME A MEMBER

DONATIONS AND SUPPORT
SWISH NUMBER 1230855858

ABOUT NEWCOMERS YOUTH

Newcomers Youth is a project of RFSL Youth that began in 2016 with the goal of improving the mental health of newly arrived LGBTQI youth. Today, we successfully operate activities in Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö, and Luleå.

Besides the activities focused on our members, we also offer training opportunities for stakeholders working with newly arrived and asylum seekers.

Additionally, we have produced a variety of educational materials, such as guides, rapports, audio and video campaigns, films, etc.

If you want to join our activities, need support, or have more general questions, please get in touch.

Contact E-mail:
[email protected]

SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES

Our staff can communicate in several languages and are familiar with the challenges of being queer with a migrant background in Sweden. We warmly welcome you regardless of gender, sexual orientation, color, ethnicity, legal status, ability, or religion. You are welcome, just as you are.

You, as a participant, may be an asylum seeker, undocumented, have been granted a residence permit, migrated with family or to reunite with a partner, to work, study, or for any other reason, and want to find a context together with other young LGBTQI migrants.

In addition to social gathering activities and youth camps, we offer free legal advice during the asylum-seeking process. We also provide information and activities designed to enhance the well-being of our members.