As governments double down on anti-immigrant policies and anti-LGBTQI+ movements gain strength worldwide, the findings and strategies developed at this symposium could not be more timely.
The International Symposium titled “Displacement and Difference: Harnessing Research to Address LGBTQI+ Forced Migration” has successfully concluded, but the conversations it sparked are only just beginning.
The symposium is part of the Queer Forced Displacement Initiative — a project to co-create an international network on LGBTQI+ forced displacement. This initiative seeks to build a critically needed long-term platform to coordinate global efforts, advance protection, and expand durable solutions for LGBTQI+ people experiencing forced displacement.
Held on August 21–22 in Mexico City, this global convening brought together activists, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to confront one of the most pressing human rights crises of our time: the forced displacement of LGBTQI+ people. More than 140 participants from around the world took part, reflecting the breadth of interest and urgency surrounding this issue. The energy, knowledge, and solidarity shared across two days were nothing short of inspiring, and we extend our deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to this pivotal moment.
We are especially thankful to our partners — the UCLA Williams Institute, Casa Frida, and our gracious hosts at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas. Their collaboration and leadership were indispensable in making this gathering possible.
The event opened with the presentation of a landmark meta-analysis on queer forced displacement, offering a comprehensive picture to date of the challenges faced by forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ people. This critical research provided the foundation for rich discussions that followed, illuminating both the scale of the crisis and the urgency of action.
What made this symposium especially powerful was its truly global perspective. From Latin America to Africa, Asia to Europe, and North America, presenters brought diverse insights rooted in lived realities. Grassroots activists, legal experts, academic scholars, and individuals with direct experience of displacement all shared the stage, reflecting the breadth and depth of knowledge our movement holds.
- Across panels, workshops, and collaborative sessions, several key themes emerged:
Queer forced displacement from the Global South to the Global South — a reality too often overlooked in policy and research. - Non-asylum narratives, including internal displacement — recognizing the experiences of those who remain internally displaced or cannot access formal protection systems.
- The impact of anti-gender and anti-immigration movements — and how they intersect to fuel violence and exclusion.
- Innovative community-based support and resilience-building — from shelter and support to grassroots resilience strategies led by LGBTQI+ groups.
Legal panels, activist-led workshops, and the drafting of multistakeholder declarations all underscored a collective determination: that research must not stay on the page, but translate into action, policy change, and real safety for LGBTQI+ people in transit.
As governments double down on anti-immigrant policies and anti-LGBTQI+ movements gain strength worldwide, the findings and strategies developed at this symposium could not be more timely. This is not just an academic conversation — it is a matter of life and death.
We thank every presenter, moderator, and attendee whose contributions made this convening profoundly meaningful. Your voices and commitments are shaping a growing global movement for queer liberation and safety.
The symposium may have ended, but our work continues — invigorated, urgent, and more connected than ever. The time is now to transform solidarity into action and ensure that no LGBTQI+ person is left behind in the search for safety and belonging.
