Profiles

This Black History Month, we are honouring the historical and contemporary fight for Black queer liberation. This includes sharing the stories of Black-led LGBTQI+ organizations that are on the frontlines of freedom. Today, we are featuring TransWave Jamaica, an organization working to advance the health, welfare, and well-being of the transgender community in Jamaica and the Caribbean.For TransWave Jamaica (TWJ), the fight for trans and gender-nonconforming rights is inextricably connected to the global struggle for Black liberation. In Jamaica, where the impacts of colonization are still felt, trans communities face intersecting forms of marginalization that demand collective, community-led responses.“Our work at TWJ is deeply rooted in the global struggle for Black liberation,” says Yakeem Reid, Media and Communications Specialist at TransWave Jamaica. “The realities faced by trans and gender-nonconforming Jamaicans are inseparable from those lives impacted by the residuals of slavery, racism, and anti-Black violence.”Black liberation movements across the Caribbean and the wider African diaspora have long emphasized dignity, safety, self-determination, and collective care. These values guide TransWave’s approach to advocacy and service delivery, grounding their work in local leadership and lived experience rather than externally imposed models of change.Reimaging Systems: Decolonial Perspectives on LiberationColonization in Jamaica left behind rigid gender norms, punitive laws, and moral frameworks that continue to criminalize and stigmatize LGBTQI+ people. TransWave confronts this legacy head-on by challenging colonial laws and attitudes while centering Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous ways of understanding gender, community, and care.“Our advocacy prioritizes local leadership, lived experience, and culturally grounded approaches,” Reid explains, “resisting the idea that liberation must look like models imported from the Global North.”This decolonial perspective also shapes how TransWave engages with humanitarian systems that were never designed with Black, queer, and trans people in mind. Rather than positioning communities as passive recipients of aid, TransWave insists on dignity, consent, accountability, and long-term investment.“Reimagining humanitarian systems from a decolonial perspective means dismantling systems that treat Black, queer, and trans people as anything less than experts of their own lives,” says Reid. “It’s about shifting power to community-based organizations and valuing local knowledge.”Solidarity Beyond Symbolism In July 2025, TransWave Jamaica received support from Rainbow Railroad’s Crisis Response Fund for a six-month project that provided direct assistance and support to 60 trans and gender-nonconforming individuals facing urgent risks.This partnership helped support access to housing, care packages to meet basic needs, and psychological empowerment workshops. Across borders, solidarity means more than symbolic gestures. “True solidarity moves beyond performative allyship to sustained, accountable partnerships,” Reid says. “It looks like global allies listening to Jamaican trans voices, supporting locally led work, and challenging harmful narratives about the Caribbean as inherently violent or backward.”TransWave’s work is informed by a long lineage of Black queer and trans resistance. Reid points to figures such as Audre Lorde, whose writing on difference and survival resonates deeply within the Caribbean context, as well as Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, whose grassroots organizing reminds us that trans liberation has always been led by individuals who experience multiple levels of marginalization. Caribbean activists, many of whom organized without recognition or protection, also continue to shape TransWave’s understanding of courage, care, and resistance.Centring Joy and Celebration for Trans Jamaicans For many queer and trans Jamaicans today, the global fight for asylum, safety, and dignity echoes historic Black liberation movements rooted in survival. “Seeking asylum is not about opportunity but about survival,” Reid notes. “The same systems that once justified enslavement and colonial control now determine whose lives are worthy of protection.”Despite immense challenges, TransWave finds hope in the present. Youth-led organizing, mutual aid networks, trans creatives, and regional collaborations are expanding conversations around bodily autonomy, economic justice, and political participation. Care and joy, which are often overlooked in crisis-driven responses, remain central to this resistance.“In a society that often denies trans people safety and celebration, moments of laughter, affirmation, and collective care are radical,” Reid says. “Joy allows our community to breathe, to imagine beyond crisis, and to reclaim wholeness.”Sustained by the resilience and pride of trans Jamaicans who continue to show up for one another, TransWave Jamaica embodies a truth long held by Black liberation movements worldwide: resistance is ongoing, community is essential, and freedom is collective.

As part of Rainbow Railroad’s efforts to better respond to LGBTQI+ refugees’ resettlement needs, we launched a Queer Refugee Internship Program for refugees who have an interest in contributing their lived expertise to the global forced displacement response. Our program provides a unique opportunity for refugees to gain vital work experience, learn new skills, and connect with professionals while elevating the voices of queer refugees. We’re highlighting the stories of individuals who were part of the Queer Refugee Internship Program’s most recent cohort. In this post, a recent QRI shares his experience on both the Communications and Engagement teams. I’m a proud queer Afro-Caribbean man. These intersectional identities don’t automatically guarantee open acceptance in many societies; unfortunately, this can lead to one ‘performing’ heteronormativity or shrinking oneself to access certain opportunities, particularly employment, especially when an individual expresses themselves androgynously.With a passion for queer rights, I leapt at the opportunity to work for an organization whose values so seamlessly aligned with mine. During the spring and summer of 2025, I interned with the Communications team at Rainbow Railroad. It was a wonderful opportunity to apply my years of experience in digital marketing.I was enthused to be tasked with online community management for the organization while applying data analytics to support communications strategy and staying abreast of relevant global news for media reports.During Pride, I supported the management of the organization’s social media channels and tracked online fundraising. I personally designed the placards used during the All Out Rally for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. It was a proud and pivotal point in my career, one in which I made the choice to publicly align myself with an organization that champions queer rights unapologetically. I also had the opportunity to engage with donors, influencers, volunteers, staff, and community members during the annual Rainbow Railroad Freedom Party.I attribute my success on the Communications team to my colleagues who welcomed me with open arms and supported any ideas, suggestions, or proposals I brought to meetings.For the first time, I produced my own fundraiser for Rainbow Railroad within my online community. I was generously encouraged by a colleague on the Development team to undertake this venture in a way that felt most authentic to me. I was able to use storytelling to highlight the important work that Rainbow Railroad does and humanize those who benefit from our services and support, and I’m grateful to have been successful in that effort.In the fall, the Engagement team extended an offer for me to join them as the Mobilization Intern & Communications Liaison. I didn’t hesitate to return and expand my skills within an organization whose work continues to fulfill me.This role allowed me to learn more about post-resettlement programming including Community Support Teams, the Community Access Fund, the Housing and Livelihood Assistance Fund, the Queer Refugee Internship (of which I was a part), and the Queer Refugee Ambassador program across Canada and the U.S.With the guidance of my team I took part in outreach to help form Toronto’s first Community Support Team: a group of volunteers who commit to providing community integration support to an LGBTQI+ asylum seeker. It was truly enriching to see community members so willing to give back and be of service to newcomers.I also identified various organizations whose missions closely aligned with Rainbow Railroad and conducted outreach to propose partnerships in developing Community Support Teams in Toronto. I was successful in securing potential partners and paving the way for these relationships moving into 2026.This initiative was further strengthened by attending the Voices for Change Conference 2025, hosted by Hope for Refugees International (HRI). It was an excellent opportunity to network and connect with fellow attendees and organizations.I’m very proud to have been part of a team that began the groundwork and laid the foundation for what will become many Community Support Teams across the GTA.My work experience at Rainbow Railroad is a testament to what happens when hard work and dedication meet opportunity. Working for Rainbow Railroad fostered a deep sense of belonging, particularly for my queer identity. These internships allowed me to contribute to an organization whose values truly align with mine.

Lee Blair, a romance author and anthology organizer based in Portland, Oregon, never expected a love of queer romance to inspire a movement in support of LGBTQI+ people around the world. But through Candy Hearts, a charity romance anthology she founded, Lee has helped turn stories of queer joy into tangible support for LGBTQI+ refugees, raising awareness and more than $11,000 in funds for Rainbow Railroad in the process.Lee first learned about Rainbow Railroad in 2024, when fellow Candy Hearts author Beck Grey suggested the organization as the beneficiary for the anthology’s second volume. “I wasn’t familiar with Rainbow Railroad prior to that,” Lee says, “but I’m so glad they made the suggestion so I now know about the amazing work you do.” What began as a recommendation quickly became a values-aligned partnership. In 2025, Candy Hearts: Volume 2, which features original stories from 24 queer romance authors, donated all proceeds to Rainbow Railroad.Transforming Global Reach into a Movement for International Solidarity Choosing Rainbow Railroad was intentional. While Candy  Hearts has a largely North American readership, its contributing authors span the globe. Lee wanted the anthology’s impact to reflect that reach. “Rainbow Railroad’s mission and values was such a natural fit for the impact we wanted to make,” she explains.What keeps Lee coming back is the tangible difference Rainbow Railroad makes. She has continued the partnership with Candy Hearts: Volume 3, now available, with all proceeds supporting Rainbow Railroad through March 31, 2026. “As much as I wish organizations like this weren’t necessary,” Lee says, “I’m so glad Rainbow Railroad is here to make a difference and help people find the safety and security they deserve.Harnessing the Power of Queer JoySeeing the impact of her fundraising is deeply emotional for Lee. Romance, particularly low-angst romance that is lighthearted in tone, is often dismissed as unserious, she notes. Yet these stories, centered on queer love and acceptance, have helped make a real difference for LGBTQI+ refugees. “Watching our low-angst stories make a direct impact on supporting LGBTQI+ refugees is incredible,” she says. “It truly makes me emotional.”That impact is personal, too. After coming to terms with her own queerness later in life, Lee sees Candy Hearts as a way to give back. “To be able to use stories of romance and queer joy to support community members in trouble means the world to me.”Lee believes individuals and communities have a critical role to play through donations, advocacy, sharing platforms, and supporting organizations. Her message to LGBTQI+ people seeking safety is simple and powerful: “You are strong. You are worth safety. You are valuable and important.”And for those considering supporting Rainbow Railroad for the first time, Lee doesn’t hesitate: “Do it. Supporting Rainbow Railroad means they can use our collective resources in powerful ways we could never achieve alone.”

This Black History Month, we are honouring the historical and contemporary fight for Black queer liberation. This includes sharing the stories of Black-led LGBTQI+ organizations that are on the frontlines of freedom. Today, we are featuring Rise Initiative for Women’s Right Advocacy (RiWA) South Sudan, an organization promoting and protecting the health, economic, political and social rights of women and other marginalized groups in South Sudan.The legacy of colonization continues to shape life in South Sudan, where imposed borders and decades of political instability have deepened inequality and normalized violence for those pushed to the margins of society. Since 2024, Rainbow Railroad has received more than 250 requests for help from individuals in South Sudan. Individuals who self-reported with the status of “asylum seeker” accounted for 34.60% of requests for help, followed by registered refugees at 31.18%, and “no legal status” with  25.10%.Of the individuals who reported on their health and welfare concerns, 100% had concerns about their lack of basic needs. Of the individuals who reported on their safety concerns, 100% had concerns about community rejection.Inherited Systems of Violence and ExclusionIn South Sudan, LGBTQI+ rights are severely restricted. Currently, same-sex intimacy is criminalized, with punishments of up to fourteen years in prison. The gender expression of trans people is also criminalized. The law criminalizing same-sex intimacy has remained in place since the British colonial period, when British law was enforced in Sudan. South Sudan retained this policy after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. In this context, frontline organizations working in South Sudan are doing more than delivering services; they are actively resisting the long shadows of colonial harm by centering community-led care and advocacy. RiWA South Sudan is one of these organizations, striving to increase access to critical health services, social supports, and economic empowerment initiatives for those experiencing multiple levels of marginalization.Community-Led Care on the FrontlinesAsan Juma, human rights defender, activist and Executive Director of RiWA, shares the following: “RiWA confronts the legacy of colonization by promoting community-led advocacy that prioritizes local knowledge, lived experiences, and culturally relevant solutions rather than externally imposed approaches.” In September 2025, RiWA received funding through Rainbow Railroad’s Grassroots Mobilization Fund, a partnership model that invests in the long-term capacity of grassroots LGBTQI+ movements to create change.Through the funding they received from Rainbow Railroad, RiWA will continue to provide critical frontline support to local LGBTQI+ community members, including psychosocial and mental health services, emergency relief items, and rights awareness and legal empowerment workshops. This project will support 170 individuals in South Sudan. Reimagining Support Through a Decolonial LensFor the organization, when providing support to Black queer and trans communities, it is vital to reimagine systems of support through a decolonial perspective. Juma describes what this means in practice:“It requires shifting power to affected communities by ensuring they are involved in decision-making, program design, and service delivery, allowing them to shape solutions that directly respond to their needs. It means creating safe, inclusive, and confidential protection pathways that recognize the increased risks faced by Black, queer, and trans refugees, including family rejection, violence in camps, and discrimination from service providers.”In addition to providing essential services, they also ensure that there is space for healing and joy, which are powerful acts of resistance.“Through sports, especially women’s football, we create opportunities for joy, teamwork, self-expression, and confidence building. Sports allow community members to reclaim their bodies, celebrate their identities, and challenge harmful gender norms,” she explains. “RiWA organizes community dialogues, storytelling sessions, and creative expression activities such as art, music, and cultural engagement, which allow individuals to celebrate their identities while preserving cultural pride.”Carrying Forward a Legacy of ResistanceThe work can be challenging, but Juma is sustained personally by deep investment in the work, as she shares: “Seeing small but meaningful changes, whether in someone’s confidence, safety, or access to justice, fuels my belief that progress is possible even in harsh environments.” She also finds inspiration in the work of queer African activists including Stella Nyanzi, Frank Mugisha, and Richard Lusimbo. Although Black History Month is often focused on the past, resistance is ongoing. Juma also sees the connection and ongoing legacy of historic Black liberation movements: “Past movements highlighted the importance of intersectionality, recognizing that people experience oppression differently based on race, gender, class, and sexuality,” Juma shares. “This framework helps shape current advocacy efforts to ensure LGBTQI+ refugees are protected from multiple and layered forms of discrimination.” By supporting LGBTQI+ people to survive, organize, and lead, the work of RiWA South Sudan challenges inherited systems of exclusion and helps build pathways toward dignity, self-determination, and lasting justice.

Like many couples today, Stefania and Angela first connected online, feeling an immediate connection through their virtual communications. “I drew her portrait, began supporting her emotionally, and she supported me in return,” Stefania shares. “Very quickly, a spark passed between us, and we realized that we loved each other.”In Russia, where Stefania and Angela both lived prior to resettling, LGBTQI+ people face discrimination without legal protections. In recent years, the climate has worsened.Criminalized for Who They Are: LGBTQI+ Life in Russia Today“We were forced to leave our country," says Stefania, referring to the 2023 Russian Supreme Court decision that labeled the LGBTQ+ community as "extremist" and "terrorist." The court ruling banned the couple from "living openly and safely" and legitimized "bullying, discrimination, and violence against us,” Stefania says.Under these circumstances, Stefania and Angela also experienced financial hardship, and struggled to meet their basic needs. “All of this was compounded by constant discrimination and the threat of violence,” she explains.After reaching out to Rainbow Railroad, Stefania and Angela made plans to relocate to Spain. The decision to leave was not taken lightly, and their travels were fraught with anxiety. “We were also afraid that passport controls might stop us, or that we might say something wrong,” Stefania shares. However, their travels passed without incident, and Stefania and Angela began to rebuild their lives in a new country.Starting Over in Spain: Freedom to Love OpenlyFor both women, Spain was a chance to experience their relationship in a way that they had never imagined. Stefania describes the feeling of freedom that the couple shares now:“After the move, the constant tension left our bodies. We hold hands in public, kiss openly, and live freely in our rights. We became calmer, freer, and genuinely happier.”They have taken advantage of everything that a new country has to offer, and celebrate many aspects of their new home. “We rejoiced in the tasty food, the landscapes, and the feeling that almost everything around us was filled with warmth and care. We finally breathed in freedom,” Stefania says. They have built a new, chosen family with their neighbours, and have decorated their home together: “We were given cozy blankets, and on the shelf I placed a candle and several Funko Pop figurines.” A Pride flag hangs in their apartment: a symbol of the visibility that they can now celebrate. Together, they now enjoy simple pleasures, the moments in a romantic relationship that many people take for granted: “What brings us joy is cooking together, going for walks, watching movies, and simply hugging each other.”The Internet as a Pathway to Love and SafetyStefania and Angela are excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day, for the first time since they started dating, in a country where they experience safety and security. Stefania describes their hopes for the day, sharing, “I think we might have a picnic on the pier and watch the sea together.” LGBTQI+ people in Russia now face additional barriers in seeking assistance. In October of 2025, Russia blocked access to Rainbow Railroad’s website, cutting off a vital resource for LGBTQI+ people at risk. The internet—the same way that Angela and Stefania met each other and sparked a deep connection—was also a critical tool on their pathway to safety. Still, Stefania and Angela urge other LGBTQI+ people at risk to have hope in the potential of a safer future: “Do not give up, and believe in something better,” Stefania says. Since the moment they met, their relationship has been a way forward, representing hope, resilience, and the future that they can now build together. 

Meet Sizwe, Rainbow Railroad's Policy Officer.

For years, fear dictated Julie’s days. Where she could go, who she could trust, how visible she could afford to be. In Uganda, being openly trans meant living in the shadow of criminalization, harassment, and violence. Survival meant vigilance. Freedom felt unimaginable. Yet today, Julie is building a life rooted not in fear, but in possibility.Julie is a proud transgender woman from Uganda, a country where simply existing as an LGBTQI+ person can be life-threatening. For her, identity and survival were never separate. “For many years, life there was filled with fear — constant threats, harassment, and violence simply because I dared to live as myself,” she shares.Her advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights only intensified the danger. In a context where queer and trans people are criminalized, visibility can come at a devastating cost. She fled Uganda for Kenya, carrying the weight of loss, fear, and uncertainty about what the future might hold. With support from Rainbow Railroad, that future eventually led her to Canada.Finding Home and Beginning to Heal“Canada is the first place I have ever been able to call ‘home,’” Julie says. After years of living in survival mode, she arrived in a country where she could finally breathe. “It’s a country where I can live without fear, where my gender identity is respected, and where I can finally begin rebuilding my life.”Safety, however, is only the first step. Like many newcomers, Julie faced the challenge of starting over — navigating a new culture, new systems, and the emotional toll of displacement. Healing did not happen overnight. But community made the difference. “Adjusting to a new culture has not been easy, but the support from kind people, community groups, and friends has made it possible,” she reflects.Over the past year, Julie has taken steps toward reclaiming her future. She began college studies focused on caregiving, learning about empathy, compassion, and meeting both physical and emotional needs. “This program has not only given me new career opportunities but has also helped me heal,” she says. Each lesson became a reminder that care is transformative, especially for those who have endured harm.Strength, Pride, and the Power of BelongingWhen Julie reflects on the year behind her, two moments stand out. One was deeply personal: completing her first practicum and helping someone “regain confidence after illness.” The other was collective and joyful: marching in Toronto Pride and Edmonton Pride, “proudly carrying my flag among other newcomers.”“These moments taught me that I am stronger than I ever believed,” she says.For Julie, strength now means more than survival. “I discovered that strength is not just in survival but in rebuilding with purpose.” Balancing school, work, and the lingering weight of past trauma has not been easy, but it has shaped her into someone grounded in hope.What brings her joy today is something that once felt out of reach: community. “Dancing with friends, sharing meals, or helping someone in need fills me with gratitude,” she says. “In those moments, I feel the true meaning of safety — belonging without fear.”As a new year begins, Julie’s hopes are clear. She wants stability. She wants to complete her studies. And she wants to give back. “I want to use my education to advocate for vulnerable people, refugees, elders, and anyone who feels unseen, reminding them that healing and dignity go hand in hand.”Her message to those who made her journey possible is simple and powerful: “Your love and solidarity gave me back my future.” And to LGBTQI+ people still living under threat, her words carry both urgency and hope: “You are not alone. There is a world waiting for you. A world where you can live freely and be celebrated for exactly who you are.”Right now, LGBTQI+ people around the world are being criminalized, targeted, and forced to flee simply for being who they are. Julie’s journey was made possible because someone chose to act.As we begin this new year, you can help make safety, healing, and hope possible for others like Julie. Donate today to support LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution and help them find a place where they can live freely, with dignity and pride.

“Today, safety means sleeping without fear of a knock on the door,” Steven says.

As Senior Program Officer, Service Referrals and Post-Relocation Support, Kiana oversees much of Rainbow Railroad’s non-monetary support.

Jannat is a trans woman, activist and artist originally from Lahore, Pakistan. For years, her life was rooted in public visibility and resistance — organizing, advocating, and creating space for trans joy in a country where being openly transgender can be dangerous.“I spent many years fighting for the rights of trans people back home, from organizing the first Trans Pride Pride in Pakistan in 2018 to advocating for legal protections within our legislature,” she shares.For a time, there was cautious hope. Pakistan’s Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, passed in 2018, offered legal recognition of self-identified gender and opened pathways to identity documents, employment, healthcare, and public participation. But that progress began to unravel.In May 2023, Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court ruled that key provisions of the Act, including legal recognition of gender identity, were “against Islamic injunctions,” stripping away protections many transgender people relied on for safety and dignity. Human rights organizations and trans activists warned that the ruling weakened legal safeguards, leaving trans people more vulnerable to harassment, discrimination, and violence. In its wake, many cases of abuse went unreported, as legal recourse and recognition disappeared.Jannat felt the impact firsthand and her visibility came at a cost. As anti-LGBTQI+ laws, stigma, and violence intensified, Jannat became increasingly unsafe. “Because of my visibility and activism, I began to face increasing threats to my safety,” she says. “With the support of Rainbow Railroad, I was able to relocate to Toronto, Canada, where I continue my work while rebuilding my life in a place that offers relative safety and space for freedom of expression.”Across the world, LGBTQI+ people are being criminalized simply for who they are — forced to flee not because they choose to leave, but because staying could mean imprisonment, violence, or death. Jannat’s story reflects a growing global crisis of forced displacement driven by anti-trans legislation and persecution.Rebuilding, Creating, BelongingIn Canada, Jannat has begun the complex work of rebuilding. Safety did not instantly erase loss, grief, or uncertainty, but it did make room for healing and growth.“I’ve become more compassionate not just with others, but with myself,” Jannat reflects. “Starting anew in Canada showed me that healing and building can happen together, even when life feels uncertain.”Over the past year, moments of pride and resilience have stood out. Being named Trans Ambassador for Pride Toronto allowed her to bring joy to the trans community during public celebrations. She also represented queer refugee voices in policy spaces, including advocacy at the Canadian Council for Refugees.“I felt especially proud when I saw my art and activism bring people together, especially with Pride Toronto, and community performances that fused my kathak storytelling dance,” she says. “It reminded me that visibility can be powerful when it uplifts others.”Yet challenges remain. “The hardest part has been rebuilding a sense of stability while still grieving the safety I lost in Pakistan,” Jannat shares. “I miss family, familiar rhythms, and the direct work with my community back home.”“Home has transformed from a physical place to a state of belonging,” she adds. “Canada is a home of opportunity and safety, but my heart still carries Pakistan. Home now holds both pain and possibility.”A New Year and an Urgent Call to ActAs the new year begins, Jannat carries both hope and determination. “I’m hopeful for more community spaces where queer refugees can thrive, where art, culture, and advocacy meet healing and safety,” she says. She is determined to “use my voice to build platforms for trans and queer refugees, spaces where their stories are not just heard but celebrated. Therapy through dance.”For Jannat, safety today is deeply personal and profoundly political. “Feeling safe means I can walk outside as my authentic self without fear, speak openly without threat, and create without compromise,” she explains. “It means my identity is respected and protected not just legally, but socially.”She wants the world to understand that refugee journeys do not end at arrival. “It’s not just about reaching safety, it’s about rebuilding identity, staying connected with roots, culture, and belonging, which takes time, compassion, and care from everyone around us.”And she offers this reminder: “Trans refugees are not just stories of pain — we are artists, teachers, dreamers, and community builders. And when we rise, we rise together.”As anti-LGBTQI+ laws continue to force people to flee their homes, stories like Jannat’s underscore both the urgency of this crisis and the power of solidarity. Your support helps ensure that trans and queer people facing persecution can reach safety, and rebuild their lives with dignity.Donate today to help LGBTQI+ refugees find safety, community, and hope in the year ahead.

"Supporting queer refugees is not a nice-to-have; it’s a need-to-have. We’re in this together, that’s the whole point of community.”

For many LGBTQI+ refugees, arriving in Canada is meant to mark the end of a long journey toward safety. But the struggle doesn’t stop at the border. Racism, transphobia, and homophobia can still surface in shelters, workplaces, and even newcomer communities. Finding stable housing, meaningful employment, or affirming healthcare often feels like an uphill climb. And for those still processing the trauma of persecution and displacement, isolation can deepen the pain.It’s this reality that moved Christopher, Executive Director of the African Centre for Refugees (ACR), to create a space where LGBTQI+ newcomers could find healing, connection, and belonging.“The African Centre for Refugees is a newcomer-led, volunteer-driven registered charity,” Christopher explains. “We support LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers, and newcomers from Africa and other regions who are rebuilding their lives in Canada after fleeing persecution. Our mission is to create safe spaces, promote inclusion, and provide practical assistance from housing support and peer counseling to community education and advocacy for queer and trans migrants.”Founded in 2019 by LGBTQI+ newcomers with lived experience of displacement, ACR emerged as a grassroots initiative determined to fill the gaps left by larger agencies.“Our work is driven by lived experience and the belief that every newcomer deserves dignity, belonging, and safety,” Christopher says. “We saw a clear need for culturally specific, trauma-informed support that larger agencies often overlooked. This sense of solidarity and mutual care continues to inspire our team today.”A Lifeline of Connection and CareWith support from Rainbow Railroad’s Community Access Fund, ACR launched Pulse Chat, a peer-led mental health and communication program providing both virtual and in-person support for LGBTQI+ newcomers.“This funding allowed us to maintain weekly sessions covering topics like coping with trauma, finding safe housing, immigration information, and building confidence in a new environment,” Christopher explains.The funding also helped ACR provide internet access subsidies, translation support, and small stipends for facilitators with lived experience, ensuring that the community could lead and sustain the work themselves.Through the grant, the organization also delivered virtual mental health sessions, emergency food and transit assistance, referral services, peer mentorship programs, and capacity building for volunteers and facilitators. The impact was far-reaching.“We reached over 150 LGBTQI+ newcomers and refugees in Toronto and the surrounding regions,” says Christopher. “Many participants reported improved mental health, stronger social connections, and renewed confidence to engage in community life. Several have since become peer leaders themselves — showing the ripple effect of this support.”One moment, in particular, stands out to her.“A transgender woman who had just arrived from Uganda shared how the Pulse Chat became her ‘first safe space’ in Canada,” Christopher recalls. “Through our sessions, she found both emotional support and connections that helped her secure stable housing. Her transformation from isolation to empowerment embodies what this fund made possible.”Trust, Flexibility, and Lived ExperienceFor Christopher and her team, receiving support from the Community Access Fund meant more than just financial relief — it was validation. “Receiving this funding was deeply affirming,” she says. “It validated the work of grassroots, newcomer-led initiatives and recognized that people with lived experience of displacement are best positioned to lead change.”And the trust-based approach made a meaningful difference. Unlike many traditional grants, Rainbow Railroad’s model emphasizes flexibility.“Their trust-based, low-barrier approach gave us freedom to design projects based on real community needs, rather than strict institutional frameworks,” Christopher explains. “Their flexibility allowed us to respond quickly to emergencies, such as helping newcomers find safe spaces, while maintaining accountability and transparency.”She believes this kind of partnership offers valuable lessons for larger organizations and funders. Authentic community impact, she says, flourishes when relationships and trust come before bureaucracy. “Grassroots groups often understand their communities in ways that data can’t capture,” she notes. “When funders remove unnecessary red tape and center lived experience, real change happens.”Building a More Inclusive CanadaLooking ahead, Christopher and her team hope to expand their reach by creating a Community Resource and Wellness Hub — a dedicated space for LGBTQI+ newcomers to gather, learn, and thrive.Their vision is clear: a future where every queer refugee in Canada finds safety, belonging, and opportunity.Christopher's message to allies and supporters is equally clear: solidarity starts with listening. “Understand the lived experiences of LGBTQI+ migrants. Offer your time, your resources, your voice. Small acts — attending an event, donating, volunteering — can make a big difference.”She pauses, reflecting on how far ACR has come — and how much work remains. “We’re not just offering services,” she says softly. “We’re rebuilding lives, restoring hope, and creating a more inclusive Canada for all.” Help sustain transformative grassroots programs like this. Donate today and support community-led initiatives that help LGBTQI+ refugees find safety, stability, and belonging.