Rainbow Railroad at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Around the world, queer and trans people in forced displacement are facing a “double bind” of anti-LGBTQI+ and xenophobic, anti-migrant sentiment and attacks. Whether internally displaced, in transit, or upon arrival in a new country, queer and trans people face heightened risks of persecution and violence. As conflict, natural disasters, climate change and other crises push people from their homes, for many LGBTQI+ persons, displacement can introduce new threats to their safety and security.
Addressing this issue demands a coordinated global response. In June, Rainbow Railroad was honoured to join the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IE SOGI), Graeme Reid, for the release of his groundbreaking report on LGBTQI+ forced displacement, at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. Through our recently won consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), we also provided UN access to 17 individuals representing global LGBTQI+ and refugee civil society as advocates in this space.
The IE SOGI is the only human rights expert within the UN dedicated to addressing violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide. As one of the highlights of the event, we joined allies from ILGA World in successfully co-sponsoring a call for States to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert. The renewed mandate paves the way for the IE SOGI’s critical data-collecting, reporting, and advisory work to continue for the next three years.
Rainbow Railroad played a key role in rallying for the mandate renewal. Ahead of the vote, our Head of Programs Devon Matthews moderated a dialogue with current IE SOGI Graeme Reid, highlighting the findings of his critical report. More than 100 attendees, including States, activists, academics, persons with lived expertise, NGOs, and UN agencies, were present for this conversation.
Systemic Gaps in Protection
Amidst increasing hostility against LGBTQI+ people, migrants, and refugees, ensuring the visibility of populations who exist at these intersections is vital to improving protection. The IE SOGI called on States to strengthen their disaggregated data collection, and to collaborate with LGBTQI+ civil society to improve it.
During Rainbow Railroad’s intervention, we highlighted the 13,000 individuals who reached out to us for help last year. Over 80% of these requests came from young people ages 18 to 35. The Independent Expert also highlighted specific challenges faced by trans people in displacement, reflecting changes in our own work as well: over half the individuals we supported last year were trans or non-binary. 1 in 4 were trans women.
The IE SOGI further called attention to systemic discrimination and access to refugee status determination (RSD), a critical component of the international refugee protection system. In 2024, less than 5% of individuals seeking Rainbow Railroad’s assistance had UNHCR-registered refugee status.
In this context, States must recommit to upholding the fundamental right to claim asylum, and prioritize those that face systemic discrimination within broader protection frameworks. Partnership with LGBTQI+ civil society and establishing dedicated resettlement pathways has demonstrated success in reaching LGBTQI+ refugees and helping them get to safety.
Spotlighting Internally Displaced Persons
At a Session with the Special Rapporteur on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Paula Gaviria Betancur, presented her report on internal displacement in the context of generalized violence. The Special Rapporteur highlighted the 1.2 million people internally displaced by crime related violence, where state responses are weak or complicit. Over half the LGBTQI+ persons we supported last year who disclosed safety concerns cited community violence. Frequently these experiences take place in countries where anti-LGBTQI+ violence is tacitly accepted or explicitly State-sponsored.
As some refugee resettlement pathways expand, there is still a significant lack of robust protection measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who remain in their country of origin. In 2024, almost 3/4 of our requests came from individuals in their home countries, underscoring the urgent need for protection inside countries where LGBTQI+ persons face state-backed violence. The international community must tackle root causes by ending impunity for aggressors, and increasing funding for protection and durable solutions. As the Special Rapporteur astutely observed, “The tools to address these crises exist, what’s missing is the political will.”
Rainbow Railroad’s Global Response: The Queer Forced Displacement Initiative (QFDI)
The global forced displacement crisis can only be addressed through international multi-stakeholder collaboration. Rainbow Railroad, in collaboration with partners around the world, is building a groundbreaking, global network to address the urgent needs of LGBTQI+ people facing forced displacement. The Queer Forced Displacement Initiative (QFDI) will create an international network of people with lived experience, grassroots LGBTQI+ organizations, academics, international organizations, and key government stakeholders, to advance protection and solutions for LGBTQI+ people in forced displacement.
The QFDI will generate lasting research and policy recommendations, and provide a forum for relevant actors to proactively mobilize response efforts at the early onset of crises that affect LGBTQI+ communities. At the Human Rights Council, we urged States to join this global multi-stakeholder network.
Queering the Global Response
The renewal of the IE SOGI’s mandate is a significant win for global LGBTQI+ rights advocacy. 1,259 organisations from 157 States and territories came together to push States to uphold their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil the rights of LGBTQI+ people everywhere. Queer forced displacement is a complex global issue that LGBTQI+ persons experience in intersecting and compounding ways. We urge States to undertake meaningful engagement with LGBTQI+ civil society to address the needs of the community, and commit to international multi-stakeholder coordination on LGBTQI+ forced displacement.