Viewpoint from the Equator

David Roseberry works as Program Coordinator for International Education Programs at Seattle Central Community College and spoke with an international student from Singapore—Victor Vanderloo—on his campus.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step; I took the first step out about eleven months ago. I moved from Singapore, a city of sunshine, to Seattle, a city that has a reputation for high rainfall.” And so Victor Vanderloo came to Seattle Central Community College to begin his program in Social and Human Services. Fortunately for us here, he has done much more.

Earlier this year, Victor took over as local chapter coordinator of the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force. He is one of the youngest volunteer coordinators in the Seattle chapter’s history, and many were skeptical of his ability to take on the challenge. On October 24th of this year, Victor organized a Town Hall Meeting to advocate for HR690, the Permanent Partners Immigration Act, co-sponsored by the LGIRTF, the Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, and several other LGBQT organizations. The meeting was overwhelmingly successful with over 200 participants, including U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, who provided support and opening remarks. Victor himself gave a very moving speech on his own situation. “Many strangers came up to give me support with tears in their eyes after they heard my speech. That was totally empowering.”

Since the Town Hall, Victor has been flooded with job offers from social service agencies in Seattle, and will soon be interviewed by local public radio host Deborah Brandt on the local NPR affiliate. Victor hopes to complete his degree in Social Work so he can be an advocate for the Asian population in the United States, and the LGBQT community.

“Over the last eleven months, I had grown both intellectually and emotionally,” Victor says. “For the first time in my life, I felt completely liberated, and was able to be who I am. Living in a country where homosexuality is a taboo, coming out has never been an option for me. However, living in Seattle has enabled me to be truthful to myself.”