Run for Tolerance

As my time winds down in Korea I have decided to tick off a bucket list item of mine before I leave, which is to run a full marathon. That's all 42kms of running, something that I didn't think I would ever be able to do when I first arrived in Korea weighing nearly 60kilos more than I do today, almost 7 years ago now. Living in Korea has changed me in ways I can never fully explain. This place will always have a special place in my heart. It's where I discovered so much about myself and life, and I have been blessed beyond measure by this experience, But before I leave, there's a lot I need to do in my final 6 months. Firstly, I want to do something to help the LGBTI community in Korea in some little way. So I have decided to make May 5th, 2015 - Children's day here in Korea, the day I will run for tolerance for the LGBTI youth in Seoul.I am asking people to sponsor my run, and help me to support the Rainbow Youth Teen Shelter Space in Seoul. LGBTI youth in Korea are among the most unfortunate in the developed world. With no anti-discrimination law and no government support for the advancement of minorities in Korea, often they are kicked out of home, shunned by society and even practice self-harm to try and cope with the complete and utter rejection they face by mainstream Korea.In Korea an anti-LGBTI Pastor actually sits on the Human Rights Council! They have been officially labeled as abnormal in school books that are taught to children all over Korea. As a result, It is not uncommon for LGBTI youth to experience extreme bullying and suffer immense discrimination in all facets of Korean life without any hope of restitution or support from authority figures. Coming out in Korea is often not an option, according to the Human Rights Watch in Korea, LGBTI people often are afraid to come out as it usually results in the stunting of careers, rejection by peers and family that resigns one to a life of forced exile from society. The Rainbow Youth Teen Shelter attempts to provide a safe space for the marginalized youth of this country. Where they can exist as they are without the fear of being ostracized, verbally and physically abused and most of all find comfort in being with other like-minded youth. Please help me to help support those who have not been able to have the acceptance and care in their lives that you and I have been lucky to have. I will donate all proceeds to the Rainbow Youth Teen Space in Seoul, the first of its kind in Korea, I am aiming to raise $1000 which is a steep amount, but I'm sure with everyone's help we can get there! Donate whatever you can, sponsor me per mile, per km, per whatever! Whatever you can do to support the run is greatly appreciated.