All Stories

As part of Rainbow Railroad’s efforts to better respond to LGBTQI+ refugees’ resettlement needs, this year we launched a Queer Refugee Internship Program for refugees who have benefitted from our work and have an interest in contributing their lived expertise to the global forced displacement response. Our program provides a unique opportunity for refugees to get vital work experience, learn new skills, and connect with professionals while elevating the voices of queer refugees. We’re highlighting the incredible stories of three interns who joined us for our inaugural Queer Refugee Internship Program. In this post, Samuel Wairiuko shares his experiences as part of the Engagement Team. To support the ongoing work of Rainbow Railroad, click here. As a human rights advocate and immigrant rights activist, I never thought I'd have the opportunity to intern with an organization like Rainbow Railroad. But life has a way of surprising us, and I'm grateful for the experience.My journey to the USA was not easy. I faced numerous challenges, but Rainbow Railroad was there to support me every step of the way. They provided financial assistance, emotional support, and encouragement when I needed it most.When I learned about the internship program, I was ecstatic. I knew this was my chance to make a difference and give back to the community while pursuing my economics degree in college. The part-time, 12-week internship was a perfect fit for me. I was tasked with recruiting individuals supported by Rainbow Railroad based in the USA, Canada, Germany, and France who were interested in joining the volunteer program to support newly arrived immigrants. Through this experience, I gained invaluable communication, technical writing, and project management skills. Despite the challenges of working across different time zones, I learned to adapt and overcome obstacles with proper planning and communication.The internship was a transformative experience that shaped me in many ways. I grew both personally and professionally, and I'm now even more determined to continue advocating for human rights and marginalized communities. My dream is to attend law school after completing my economics degree and become a lawyer who makes a difference.I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Rainbow Railroad and hope to continue contributing to their mission in the future. The experience has opened my eyes to the impact one organization can have on people's lives, and I'm eager to make a difference.The Time is Always Now to support opportunities for LGBTQI+ refugees. To donate to Rainbow Railroad in support of programs like this, click here. 

“I can't breathe if I don’t help and stay connected to my community. We are one body and different members and communities represent different body parts. I expect if there is pain in one part, the whole body would feel that pain.” - Jannat Ali, trans rights activist, Executive Director of Track-T Jannat Ali, a dedicated advocate for trans rights in Pakistan, serves as the driving force behind Track-T, a community-led organization headquartered in Lahore. Track-T focuses on artivism (art + activism), trans rights awareness, and advocacy related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Since its establishment in 2017, Track-T has been at the forefront of challenging stereotypes and combating the stigma and discrimination faced by the transgender community in Pakistan.Track-T's notable achievements include founding two chapters of Trans Pride in Pakistan, becoming a member of InterPride, and actively participating in the Steering Committee that presented the Trans Rights Bill, which was enacted into law in 2018. The organization is also associated with various local and international platforms, such as the Women Peace Council Punjab, Election Commission Pakistan, and the Dignity Network Canada Advisory Board.Providing Wraparound Support for the Trans Community in PakistanThe services provided by Track-T are comprehensive and multifaceted. They empower low-income transgender individuals through financial, and institutional support. They also collaborate with other organizations to improve the well-being of transgender persons, and advocate for social justice. Additionally, Track-T works to build the capacity of transgender individuals to meet current and future challenges, with the vision of strengthening and sustaining the trans activism and Pride Movement in Pakistan.Track-T and Rainbow Railroad have shared panels at various human rights conferences. In 2022, both organizations decided to maintain regular contact and share updates.. Track-T's partnership with Rainbow Railroad, spanning from January 2024 to May 2024, has helped to sustain Track-T’s work during challenging times. Through this collaboration, Track-T provided drop-in services focusing on safety and security, distributed basic needs like food packages, offered mental health services, and conducted press conferences and protests. A Challenging Landscape for Activism The advocacy work carried out by Jannat Ali and Track-T is fraught with many challenges. This is due to limited resources and increasing transphobia and gender-based violence in Pakistan. The Federal Shariat Court's 2022 ruling against the Transgender Persons Act, 2018, impacted organizations like Track-T. This legislative change has left transgender individuals vulnerable to increased violence, abuse, and discrimination. Since 2015, 75 transgender people have been murdered, and 1,500 have been sexually assaulted in Pakistan. In 2018 alone, there were over 500 incidents of violence against transgender individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.The hostile environment has created significant barriers to employment, and contributed to an  escalation in the cost of living for trans people in Pakistan.. For Jannat Ali personally, as the first transgender lecturer at the University of Management and Technology, she faced significant backlash. Despite positive feedback for her teaching, the anti-trans movement endangered her life and led to the non-renewal of her job contract.. The adversity extended beyond professional setbacks. Jannat’s social media platforms, critical for her advocacy work, were targeted. Her YouTube channel "Journey with Jannat" was hacked, and her Instagram account faced multiple hacking attempts, aimed at silencing her voice and pressuring her to cease her activism. After persistent efforts, Jannat regained control of her YouTube account.Threatening calls demanded the closure of Track-T's office, further endangering their work and safety. Eventually, threats to her life forced her to flee Pakistan and relocate to Canada with the support of Rainbow Railroad. Despite these challenges, Jannat remains steadfast in her commitment to her community. She is working tirelessly to create safe spaces and provide support to those in need.Looking Ahead in the Ongoing Fight for Trans Equality in PakistanLooking ahead, Jannat's hopes and dreams for Track-T and the communities they serve are focused on protecting the lives of LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution in Pakistan. She emphasizes the importance of never losing hope, “and continuing to fight for our rights and dignity.”In her message to the Pakistani government, Jannat calls for action against homophobia and transphobia. She states, "The trans community has been exploited for superficial gestures like photo ops. It's imperative for the government to issue a strong statement and take decisive measures against homophobia and transphobia." To those who support Rainbow Railroad, Jannat expresses deep gratitude. She highlights how their support has been crucial in protecting lives and enabling ongoing advocacy and community support.For Jannat, the queer community is akin to oxygen—essential and life-sustaining. She says, “I can't breathe if I don’t help and stay connected to my community”. Queering the system  involves recognizing the interconnectedness of the community and feeling the collective pain and struggle.“We are one body and different members and communities represent different body parts. I expect if there is pain in one part, the whole body would feel that pain.”Rainbow Railroad provides direct capacity building and livelihood support to human rights defenders, organizations and collectives in countries where people are displaced. This Trans Awareness Week, we’re asking our community to step up in support of trans people around the world. Help us provide support to more trans refugees and asylum seekers here.

We call on our allies and supporters to join us in this urgent work.

While we wish we could help everyone who reaches out to us, our capacity is limited by our resources and the legal complexities and constraints of international refugee law and travel.

As the confirmation of Trump’s re-election settles, we face a pivotal moment in our mission to support and protect at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers. This crucial time reinforces the urgent need to mobilize and stand united for equality and justice. What we are certain of is that this moment clarifies our path forward: we must rally together with unwavering resolve to meet the anticipated challenges for our community if this new administration implements many of the anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQI+ policies it has proposed. Our community has proven its strength and resilience. Despite the changing landscape and rising threats to the rights of LGBTQI+ refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers, we have made significant strides in defending and advancing our mission. Together, we’ve fought back against discriminatory laws and policies, securing vital victories, and raised awareness about the realities faced by forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ people. As a community, we’ve supported those seeking safety, dignity and freedom — helping countless LGBTQI+ people find safety in safe cities in the U.S. The power of queer organizing and community action has always been our greatest strength, and together, we’ve shown what is possible when we stand united.We are working behind the scenes to ensure we do more to support LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers and asylees in the U.S., and will share more with our community as we have updates. If you have questions about what the election results could mean for your immigration status, please reach out to us at community@rainbowrailroad.org. With so much at risk, now more than ever, we need your support. Together, we can power change. Help us fuel the fight by donating to ensure that the hundreds of LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers, and asylees who are depending on us will not be left behind.To our entire community: we acknowledge your fears, your grief, your anger, and all of the other emotions you may be feeling. We cannot do this without you. We are now in crisis mode and we urgently need your support to continue our vital work. We will move forward. Nothing will stop us. As James Baldwin said: “There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.”Let’s get to work.

Rainbow Railroad's Donor Impact Report, Fall 2024

For every $100 you raise by 11:59pm on November 15th, 2024, you’ll earn an entry to win a pair of tickets to Taylor Swift’s SOLD-OUT Eras Tour stop in Toronto on November 22nd!

We are deeply concerned by Canada’s recent reduction in refugee resettlement slots in the 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan. 

A night of dance and celebration, all in support of Rainbow Railroad’s vital work

LGBTQI+ rights and refugee rights are under threat in the coming election, but this election is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to mobilizing in defence of our community

As part of Rainbow Railroad’s efforts to better respond to LGBTQI+ refugees’ resettlement needs, this year we launched a Queer Refugee Internship Program for refugees who have benefitted from our work and have an interest in contributing their lived expertise to the global forced displacement response. Our program provides a unique opportunity for refugees to get vital work experience, learn new skills, and connect with professionals while elevating the voices of queer refugees. We’re highlighting the incredible stories of three interns who joined us for our inaugural Queer Refugee Internship Program. In this post, Staries shares their experiences as part of the Engagement Team.  I am proud to announce my new name: Staries Azura. Born into a conservative family in Indonesia, I faced persecution and violence from a very young age. Years of enduring abuse and hiding my queer identity from the world made life feel like hell. I escaped from a conservative boarding school, only to be sent to another, where I suffered religious-based abuse. Eventually, my own family moved me to a different province. Despite all of this, I managed to finish high school, where I met incredible people who supported me in beginning my activism journey.My first step into activism was organizing an international pride event, which was a success. From there, my advocacy expanded to cover not only queer issues but also youth, elderly, interfaith, and feminist causes. I co-led feminist and queer movements and took part in grassroots queer advocacy.After enduring years of abuse, death threats, and trauma, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Rainbow Railroad by a beautiful soul I met at a world conference. She encouraged me to seek help, but I initially resisted, telling her, "No, I would feel like a burden." She persisted, though, and five months later, I reached a breaking point. I was on the verge of suicide when I finally asked Rainbow Railroad for help. I was assigned a case manager, and together we worked on getting me out of Indonesia. In February 2023, I arrived in New York City, and my life began to change for the better. For the first time, I experienced the freedom to be my true self—a queer person—thanks to Rainbow Railroad.Since arriving in New York, I have remained in close contact with Rainbow Railroad. I’ve had the opportunity to speak at their events and even participate in a Pride campaign with Lululemon in partnership with Rainbow Railroad. Our shared values in advocacy work have made staying connected with them truly fulfilling. It was through these connections that I learned about the Queer Refugee Internship program, a platform that allows refugees and asylees to learn and work alongside Rainbow Railroad. I am fortunate to be one of the interns accepted into this program.The internship program has not only enhanced my advocacy skills but has also contributed to my personal growth in both technical and soft skills. The Engagement team I worked with was incredibly supportive, making the experience even more rewarding. Over the 12 weeks of this memorable internship, I gained valuable knowledge that I will carry forward into the next phase of my career. This internship reaffirmed the career path I plan to pursue, and I am excited about what the future holds. I’m ready to chase my dreams. 

 Recently, Rainbow Railroad convened and moderated a timely dialogue on “International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response” in a side event for the United Nations Summit of the Future. Read a complete report back on this panel here.We gathered with the co-sponsorship of Outright International, the Equal Rights Coalition, and the Governments of Malta, Colombia, and Canada, and through close collaboration with UNHCR’s Division of International Protection and its New York Office, as well as the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.Dr. Nishin Nathwani, Head of Strategy at Rainbow Railroad, moderated the discussion which featured expert interventions from:Ambassador Bob Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN, and President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)Graeme Reid, UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Permanent Representative of Malta to the United NationsAmbassador Juan José Quintana, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations  Richard Wilson, Executive Director of Lighthouse Equality Advocacy ProjectAndré Du Plessis, United Nations Program Director at Outright InternationalMr. Sivanka Dhanapala, Director of UNHCR Office in New YorkPrioritizing Multilateral Partnership and Queer PerspectivesThe discussion explored how multilateral partnership can contribute to international peace and security. Participants examined successful partnerships with states, international organizations, and civil society, and identified areas where countries can champion the fight against LGBTQI+ persecution. Speakers shared how queer perspectives can be integrated into the Pact of the Future and in the Declaration on Future Generations, and where increased multilateralism can enhance international peace and security for at-risk LGBTQI+ people.   Richard Wilson, an activist supported by Rainbow Railroad in resettling, spoke about their own lived experience on the panel, as well as their advocacy for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. Reflecting on the conversation, they shared the following:“Having the opportunity to share my story and listen to the proposed policies aimed at supporting displaced individuals, especially those in the LGBTQI+ community, gave me hope. I felt that the voices of people like me were not just being heard but also integrated into solutions that could make a tangible difference. Seeing global leaders take our concerns seriously and commit to taking action was incredibly powerful.”This was Rainbow Railroad’s first event of this kind, after having recently been granted special consultative status by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Securing ECOSOC status is a challenging process, as applicants must be approved by a committee that includes members from countries like Russia, Pakistan, and China, nations that often subject LGBTQI+ groups to additional scrutiny. Consultative status significantly increases Rainbow Railroad’s access to the UN, including through bodies such as the Human Rights Council, where we are better positioned to advocate for LGBTQI+ forced displacement and elevate the work of partner LGBTQI+ civil society organizations and activists doing this work on the ground globally. Bringing grassroots partners and refugees into high level meetings, provides a platform for those who lack the resources to attain this status themselves. Forming the backdrop of this conversation is the global anti-gender movement, which has mobilized a coalition of populist groups and funders to target a wide range of programming including sexuality education, discussion on sexual and reproductive rights, and LGBTQI+ rights. Rainbow Railroad has received more than 50,000 requests for help since our founding, and we understand the need for a global coordinated response.The rising tide of legislative and social changes that newly target LGBTQI+ communities not only jeopardize the safety of individuals and communities and their access to rights but also have broader implications for global peace and security. Experts acknowledged we need to collectively re-envision the landscape of how the international community adapts and responds to threats to human rights, underscoring how international mechanisms have been successfully utilized and could be further leveraged to enhance support to at-risk LGBTQI+ communities in crisis-affected contexts.  Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights in International SpacesActivist Richard Wilson described the importance of conversations like this:“This event opened my eyes to the global nature of the LGBTQI+ crisis response. It showed me that while the struggles of LGBTQI+ immigrants and asylum seekers are unique, they are not isolated. The panel gave me a deeper understanding of the complex intersection between displacement, identity, and security. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing these crises and reassured me that there are ongoing efforts to improve the systems in place to protect and support people like me.”Collective action and partnerships in multilateral spaces give us hope as we continue to advocate for the voices of LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers at the international level. Opportunities for these conversations are critical in our pursuit of creative solutions for international crisis response.   Read a complete report back on“International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response” here.  All photos in this blog post are credited to Andrew Kelly.