Queer people have always told their stories as a way to render themselves visible; however, for some queer individuals, rendering themselves visible can lead to violence and death.

This is a pivotal time in history for people with non-conventional sexual orientations or gender identity or expression, who are fighting for their right to live and occupy space all over the world. Right now there are at least 70 countries that still have anti-homosexuality laws. In thirteen countries, six of which belong to the United Nations, it is punishable by death. Prison terms for being “caught” in a same-sex act can range from a few months to a few years, to life. There appears to be an all-out war to strip LGBTQ+ people of their human rights and eradicate all the gains that have been made in this regard.

In this captivating read, Jo Deluzio interviews eight queer individuals who had to flee their home country in fear of their lives due to their queer identity. In doing so, she sets out to make sure these stories are heard. Innocent people are dying, and these murders are often swept under the rug. Something has to change.

“My story is other gays story. I speak now for those who cannot. Some dead, some hiding...Maybe the world does not know. They cannot care if they do not know. I tell you now, it happens, and true. Tell my story. Please. Maybe someone can care.” —Ugandan refugee, in Just Gone

Jo(anne) DeLuzio was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. She attended Western University in London, Ontario where she graduated with her Master of Clinical Science, with a speciality in audiology. Jo has practised audiology in a variety of facilities around the Greater Toronto Area for the last 40 years. She also holds a PhD in Speech-language Pathology from the University of Toronto. Currently, Jo teaches in the graduate program of Speech-language Pathology at the U of T.

Outside of the audiology world, Jo writes about the oppression of people who are LGBTQ+ in Canada and globally. In her spare time, Jo enjoys bowling with her wife in a gay league. She is a terrible bowler but finds validation and acceptance in gay spaces. She currently resides in Toronto, Ontario with her wife and her two youngest children, who are currently learning about the process of adulting. Jo has had the privilege of parenting six children, and she considers surviving all those teenage years as one of her most remarkable accomplishments.

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