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Settling into life in Toronto, Umar reflects on the challenges he continues to face, while looking forward to the future he imagines for himself.“We, as Black queer people, we have to keep pushing for the world to know our stories.”Growing up in Uganda, Umar faced discrimination within his community and from his family, confronting rejection at home and struggling to access employment because of the stigma faced by the LGBTQI+ community. In 2019, a member of his family outed him to his community, which led to increased harassment and violence. After he and his partner were attacked and arrested, he was unable to return home, realizing that it was no longer safe for him to stay in Uganda.Umar crossed the border to Kenya, where he ended up living in a refugee camp. There, he connected with a community of LGBTQI+ Ugandans, but they faced homophobic discrimination and violence from other individuals in the camp without protection from staff. After learning about Rainbow Railroad from a Facebook post, he reached out to the organization and was connected with a caseworker. In 2022, Umar was approved to receive support through the Canadian Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSR). Through PSR, volunteers come together with Rainbow Railroad’s assistance to help LGBTQI+ newcomers resettle in Canada. In the fall of 2023, Umar arrived in Toronto, welcomed by his settlement team. As Umar has experienced, the challenges of resettlement do not end upon arrival to a new, safer country. In Canada, he navigated the stress of finding a job and building a community. Although he left Uganda and Kenya, he continues to process the hardships he endured. Looking to the future, he is hopeful, stating,“For years, I have been running. I’m starting to feel like I’m being accepted in a new country, so maybe I could call Canada home. Home, to me, is somewhere I have peace — and I’ve found it here.”Reflecting on his experiences as an African LGBTQI+ refugee, he shares,“Our voices are not heard like others. There was a time when we did not feel recognized because we are from Africa. That’s why we didn’t receive help.”Umar’s journey has only been possible because of his own persistence and commitment to finding a pathway to safety. He calls on the global LGBTQI+ community to pay attention to the voices of Black queer refugees, to learn from their lived experiences and listen to their perspectives and stories. Umar continues to advocate for his community, and believes that sharing his own experience can help others who are facing similar persecution. As he continues to settle in Toronto, Umar is committed to giving back to his community, with plans to train as a care worker, and someday as a nurse. When imagining a future for himself, Umar hopes to build a queer community that provides support and friendship, saying simply,“To me, queer community means loving, queer community means welcoming, queer community means caring.”  If you live in Toronto, Canada and are interested in learning more or becoming involved in Rainbow Railroad's Private Sponsorship Program, please complete the volunteer form.

Longjones is a volunteer for Rainbow Railroad’s Communities of Care program. Based in Boston, he is part of a Private Sponsorship Group (PSG) with four other community members who are welcoming an LGBTQI+ newcomer through Welcome Corps. Below, he describes how his own experiences resettling in the United States have informed his commitment to supporting other LGBTQI+ newcomers. Learn more about volunteering to support a newcomer in the United States here. Why did you get involved with Welcome Corps?From my own story of having to run away from persecution and find a new home with no one I know but strangers, I can understand what it means and fit in the shoes of those newcomers who arrive in the USA/Canada.I am passionate about working with LGBTQ+ communities. Getting involved with Welcome Corps was a way for me to support newcomers and help them feel welcome and support them to navigate the systems as they settle into their new homes.How did you hear about private sponsorship?One of my comrades with whom we have worked for many years back in Uganda and who is in Canada now reached out to me. After visiting the website and learning more about it, I felt like this was not something new to me because I had already been doing this kind of work as an individual with the support of individual friends and my church. But, now as a PSG, we would be working as a team of five. I went on to reach out to a couple of folks I trusted and I know had a passion for such causes.Please tell us a little about your group and its members. How do you all know each other? Our group comprises five folks with different backgrounds from health to education and social work. What stands out is that we all believe that humans should live with dignity and that people should be free no matter what their gender identity or sexual orientation is. Have you done anything like this before? Some members of the group have done this kind of work before but this time, it's more structured. Three of our members are part of Choro Allegro Choruses based in Boston and they have been using music to advocate for human rights. One other member has been working in the health sector around HIV with LGBTQ+ communities of color. I personally started this specific kind of work to support refugees in 2015, based on my own experience and journey.Please tell us about your experience working with Rainbow Railroad. Our experience working with Rainbow Railroad so far has been amazing and interesting. The communication has been awesome, and the teamwork with the PSG has been great, answering all our concerns. The training has been tremendously helpful in welcoming our first match about two weeks ago.What makes your city or community a great place to resettle and live in?The city is diverse and a great place to live in. It has an urban-suburban mixed feel and is easy to navigate. What are you most excited about with the newcomer's arrival? What are you most nervous about?What has excited us about the newcomer’s arrival is that we have helped someone escape persecution. As we navigate communication with each other, we’ve been utilizing various language apps, including Duolingo, Google, and Apple translators. Paying attention to the small details has made our new arrival feel welcome. Knowing their birthday was the day before they arrived, we made a birthday cake and had it with us at the airport when we welcomed our match. Seeing how they reacted made our eyes fill with tears. What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a part of a PSG but is on the fence about it?I would encourage them to do so. I would share with them my experience and how wonderful it feels knowing their support for the newcomers plays a key role in ensuring the refugee feels safe, loved, and welcomed. One doesn’t have to feel pressured. Once the new arrival is here, things unfold and one realizes the tasks are manageable. It’s helpful to have clear, structured check-ins at least twice a week. They need to do a lot of research around the cultures and services, and let the new arrival be part of the planning. Check in with what they want to do, and outline what could be achievable in the short and long term. What does community — queer community — mean to you?It's the open-mindedness as to how one views gender and sexuality identities. One doesn’t have to necessarily be an LGBTQ+ identifying person to be considered Queer. It can also mean challenging traditional norms and fighting social inequality.What does Black queer resistance mean to you? How does it inform your involvement with Welcome Corps, and with Rainbow Railroad? What does Black queer excellence mean to you? Black queer excellence and resistance relate to the struggle that the LGBTQI+ community and allies have fought for — to be visible and accepted. Breaking the chains of tradition and viewing the world from a different lens. It’s about realizing the countless sacrifices among Black folks.Queer resistance — the act of refusal to be treated differently or less than others — standing up against injustices.Volunteering with a PSG is in line with Black excellence and resistance, by standing up against injustices, volunteering time to welcome a new arrival and creating a safe space and environment for them. While Rainbow Railroad is working tirelessly to ensure a safe passage for those facing persecution and injustices, they need PSGs to help expedite the process to ensure more of those at risk get out safely. We at the grassroots level play a key role in the work of Welcome Corps and Rainbow Railroad. I am grateful for being a part of this great work.If you live in the US and are interested in learning more or becoming involved in Rainbow Railroad’s Communities of Care Program, please complete the volunteer form.

Born in Sudan, Khalid relocated to Malaysia in 2022 before reaching out to Rainbow Railroad and eventually resettling in Canada in September 2023. Below, he shares his reflections on his journey seeking safety over the past two years.This story contains reference to violence and other forms of abuse towards the LGBTQI+ community. Growing up in a seemingly privileged middle-class family, I soon realized that appearances can be deceiving. Despite their education and outward prosperity, my family held deep-rooted prejudices, particularly towards the LGBTQI+ community. Living in a country where being queer is not only socially condemned but also criminalized, I witnessed the horrifying consequences of such discrimination firsthand. People were persecuted — even killed — simply for being true to themselves.One tragic incident hit close to home when my dear friend lost his life at the hands of his own father, when he discovered his son's sexual orientation. This injustice fueled my anger and helplessness, driving me to seek safety and freedom elsewhere. Little did I know that my escape would mark the beginning of an arduous journey.Bidding farewell to my tearful mother, I embarked on a path that would forever change my life. To study abroad I knew Malaysia isn't the best place, but in comparison to back home, Malaysia is better. However, my worst nightmares materialized overnight. My once supportive family turned their backs on me, leaving me homeless and utterly unprepared for the challenges ahead. Suddenly, I found myself alone, unable to even cook or wash my own clothes. It was a harsh awakening, far removed from the security I had known within my family.Sadly, my struggles did not end there. As an asylum seeker,I faced exploitation, abuse, and racism in my workplace. The restaurant industry became my new reality, where I had to swallow my pride and endure the cruelty of labor exploitation. It was a stark contrast to the work I had previously done back home with NGOs supporting refugees. Never could I have imagined that one day I would become a refugee myself.Amidst the hardships, a glimmer of hope emerged. In Malaysia, I discovered organizations like Jejaka and Justice for Sisters who stood by me and provided support to me. Their unwavering dedication inspired me to commit my life and time to helping others in similar situations.And because of Rainbow Railroad, I have found safety and refuge in Canada. Their tireless efforts have provided me with the opportunity to rebuild my life and advocate for others in similar situations. I realized the importance of solidarity within our community, as no one understands our struggles better than ourselves. Together, we must fight for our rights, for we are the most targeted and vulnerable community in the world.In Canada, I really want to engage with my Canadian community and to learn from the LGBTQI+ community. I hope to use this knowledge to help the queer community back in Sudan. I want to work towards ensuring every single individual has access to healthcare because in Sudan we are still dealing with stigma surrounding HIV, and discrimination and criminalization of queer identities. I'm committed to supporting my Sudanese queer community and anyone in need, and it's not just something I want to do -  it's a journey to make things better. I want to fix important problems and help those who need it. I want to make sure their voices are heard.Even when things get tough, I stay hopeful and focused. If I can achieve these goals in my lifetime, it's not just a win for me, but it shows how working together and caring for each other can make a big difference.I dream of a world where everyone, no matter where they come from, can do well and have their voices heard. My dream isn't just about reaching my goals; it's about inspiring others to work together for a fair and equal future.As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded that strength arises from adversity. My experiences have shaped my determination to empower and uplift the queer community. It is our collective responsibility to fight for our rights, ensuring that the world recognizes and respects our existence. Let us stand together, united in our pursuit of equality and justice. 

In December, Rainbow Railroad queered the system at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF). Established in the wake of the Global Compact on Refugees, and held every four years, the GRF is the world's largest gathering on refugees, bringing together representatives from states and civil society organizations to address challenges refugees face worldwide. It is a significant milestone for Rainbow Railroad, along with members of the From Borders to Belonging coalition, to have been invited to attend the GRF in 2023, and for Rainbow Railroad CEO, Kimahli Powell, to have been selected to be a part of the official Canadian Delegation.In mainstream humanitarian spaces and multilateral fora, LGBTQI+ voices are often excluded and deprioritized. In 2018, The Global Compact on Refugees notably failed to affirm protections for LGBTQI+ persons or to recognize their unique vulnerabilities. As a result of our staunch advocacy, only four years later, Rainbow Railroad was given a major platform and opportunity to elevate LGBTQI+ issues at the 2023 GRF. The Rainbow Railroad delegation attended the main plenary sessions where state officials provided remarks about their refugee pledges, and side sessions with speaker panels that dove deeper into specific refugee issues. Rainbow Railroad’s own pledge contextualized our work within the global criminalization landscape, and shared our intention to support the resettlement of additional LGBTIQ+ refugees, advocate for and create new pathways to safety, and launch an International LGBTQI+ Forced Displacement Initiative. The full pledge can be accessed by searching the GRF Database. Rainbow Railroad’s participation in the GRF spoke to the vital importance of having LGBTQI+ voices present and centered in mainstream humanitarian spaces. Rainbow Railroad Community Engagement Officer, Emma Yaaka, participated in a speaker panel in which he came out as an LGBTQI+ refugee advocate himself. In addition to attending and contributing to conversations around refugee issues, Rainbow Railroad also created LGBTQI+ spaces at the GRF to encourage and empower other LGBTQI+ activists and organizations. On the last day of the GRF, Rainbow Railroad hosted a breakfast to launch a public joint statement led by LGBTQI+ civil society organizations and supported by allied CSOs from around the world. The statement called on states to create more dedicated pathways and programs to help LGBTQI+ people who are at risk of persecution. The statement was also circulated to and signed by many LGBTQI+ organizations notably not present or invited to the GRF to ensure that their voices were heard. The full statement, which has been signed by nearly 80 organizations, can be read here.At a panel event, Rainbow Railroad CEO Kimahli Powell also provided an intervention on the world stage where he called on states to recognize LGBTQI+ criminalization as a force of displacement, elevated the joint statement, and shared Rainbow Railroad’s pledge to launch the LGBTQI+ Forced Displacement Initiative.Recognizing the unique expertise of LGBTQI+ global civil society is essential to addressing issues of forced displacement. While Rainbow Railroad’s presence at the GRF represented a historic milestone, in order for these spaces to truly develop durable solutions, LGBTQI+ and refugee-led organizations must be included and centred.Read the full joint statement here.

In many countries around the world, LGBTQI+ people face extreme levels of violence and ostracization from their families, the state, and their communities. Rainbow Railroad responds directly to the intersection of global forced displacement and LGBTQI+ persecution, helping at-risk LGBTQI+ people move to safer countries.  But, what happens after Rainbow Railroad facilitates the journey of an LGBTQI+ person to a safer country like Canada? While the immediate threat to their safety may be gone, there are new challenges associated with resettling.Often first among these are feelings of isolation and loneliness, and concerns about accessing stable housing. Finding stable housing is essential for a newly arrived refugee because it provides a foundation for the rest of their life. But there are many barriers including the high cost of housing and landlords requiring credit checks or previous landlord references, which refugees are often unable to provide. Finding safe and stable housing is often the first step in a life-long journey. That’s why Rainbow Railroad is proud to work with Refugee Housing Canada, an innovative startup based in the Greater Toronto and Vancouver Areas which connects newly arrived refugees to community members who can provide stable and affordable housing.Here’s how it works: People with spare bedrooms to rent sign up to be hosts on the Refugee Housing Canada website. They create an online listing, which includes photos, the house rules, room availability, and rent price. Meanwhile, resettlement agencies, like Rainbow Railroad, give refugees access to the online platform, where they can match with a host.Only refugees who have been resettled through Rainbow Railroad or other partner agencies can access listings on the website, ensuring that all candidates for housing on the platform are vetted and verified. Homeowners can open their homes and hearts to those in need, while refugees can rest easy knowing they have a temporary and welcoming home while they start their new life in Canada.Everyone deserves access to safe, stable, affordable housing, and Refugee Housing Canada helps to foster supportive communities for newcomers by connecting them with housing.If you live in the Greater Toronto or Vancouver Areas, you can learn more about the program and sign up to be a host here.

Civil society organizations call on states to create more dedicated pathways and programs to help LGBTQI+ people who are at risk of persecution, including humanitarian and development funding as well as resettlement pathways. Building sustained relationships with LGBTQI+ civil society and leveraging the expertise of LGBTQI+-led organizations is key to accessing and identifying at-risk LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons in need of durable solutions.  With more than 110 million displaced people in the world, we are collectively experiencing a global refugee crisis of unprecedented scale. We are also witnessing an ongoing injustice that is a compounding risk factor for LGBTQI+ people: 63 states around the world criminalize same-sex intimacy and, as a result, at-risk LGBTQI+ people often face systemic barriers to accessing safety within the existing global refugee and asylum system. For LGBTQI+ individuals, drivers of displacement such as conflict, climate disaster and political instability bring pre-existing persecutory conditions sharply into focus. In countries of origin, transit and host countries, LGBTQI+ communities are exposed to hate-motivated violence from state and non-state actors, as well as discrimination when crossing international borders and hostility when accessing basic services. Existing protection mechanisms fail to effectively respond to the unique vulnerabilities experienced by LGBTQI+ people, often rendering available pathways to safety inaccessible to people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identities and sex characteristics.  UNHCR’s 2021 Roundtable Summary Conclusions note that forcibly displaced LGBTIQ+ people “experience multiple, compounding and intersecting  stigmatizations  and  abuse,  including…  stigmatization  related  to both their  diverse SOGIESC and their migration status”. The conclusions also note that LGBTIQ+ people continue to face “similar or higher risks of homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and endosexist violence from both  nationals  of  the  host  country  as  well  as  from  other  displaced  people,” which are further exacerbated by “xenophobic hostility, misogyny, irregular  migration  status,  socioeconomic  marginalization,  isolation  from  traditional  support networks and trauma-induced physical and emotional duress.” Despite growing international recognition of the pressing needs of LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced people, these voices continue to be excluded and deprioritized within mainstream humanitarian spaces. The Global Compact on Refugees, while affirming protections related to age, gender, disability and diversity, failed to affirm protections for LGBTQI+ persons or to recognize their unique vulnerabilities - in fact, the term LGBTQI+ was not used at all in the document. In multilateral fora, states often sacrifice LGBTQI+ rights for political considerations, disregarding the urgency of addressing the persecution and violence facing LGBTQI+ people. Politicization of LGBTQI+ rights severely compromises our ability as a global community to address forced displacement crises, when allied states do not hold persecutors to account for fear of offending them in diplomatic spaces. For example, in Uganda, there is an ongoing assault on LGBTQI+ human rights. In May, the President signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law and made Uganda the 12th country in the world to legalize the death penalty as a punishment for same-sex intimacy. Targeted violence and persecution is one of the root causes of the LGBTQI+ forced displacement crisis which the Global Refugee Forum seeks to address. Meanwhile, Uganda is co-chairing the Global Refugee Forum. The UNHCR and member states' decision to allow Uganda to remain a co-chair of the Forum undermines the advocacy of persecuted LGBTQI+ Ugandan activists who are calling for global public pressure on Uganda to overturn this hateful and discriminatory legislation. Since passage of the law, LGBTQI+ Ugandans have been arrested, evicted and subjected to bias-motivated violence. Ugandan activists have made clear requests to the global community to put pressure on Uganda, calling on governments to issue visa bans for human rights violators, provide nimble emergency funding to local organizations, create flexible humanitarian pathways for at-risk LGBTQI+ persons in Uganda, and hold the Ugandan government to account in multilateral spaces.The immense challenge of navigating a hostile and exclusionary global landscape can only be met by an equally powerful force of collective queer resistance. By necessity of survival, LGBTQI+ individuals and organizations have become incredibly adept at harnessing the vitality and creativity of their communities to rise up against oppressive systems and generate alternative solutions for finding protection and freedom. In order to be effective, any strategy to address the crisis of forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ people must first be grounded in the cultivation of strong, trust-based partnership networks with local civil society organizations, to identify the urgent needs of highly vulnerable populations, generate responsive pathways to safety, and build a sustainable movement for international LGBTQI+ solidarity. The Joint Refugee Statement at the Global Refugee Forum recognizes the “life-threatening circumstances faced by individuals from marginalized groups, such as the LGBTIQ+ community”, calling on states and protection actors to see refugees as “human beings with unique identities, needs, and diverse backgrounds”, taking a tailored approach which considers “unique and diverse needs, aspirations and capacities of” LGBTIQ+ people, among others.Recognizing the unique expertise of LGBTQI+ global civil society, Rainbow Railroad will build the conditions to establish an International LGBTQI+ Forced Displacement Coordination Initiative. The Initiative will serve as an international platform to develop solutions for LGBTQI+ persons who are impacted by the global migration crisis. The Initiative will convene LGBTQI+ civil society, community organizations, academics and key government stakeholders for research and policy development, and provide a forum for coordinating crisis response efforts in real time. This platform has emerged as a direct response to the need to organize and mobilize to influence the global refugee and asylum system which continues to make trade-offs against the lives of LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons. The Initiative is also the product of collective advocacy by global LGBTQI+ civil society organizations which advocated for UNHCR to convene the 2021 Global Roundtable on Protection and Solutions for LGBTIQ+ People in Forced Displacement. The Initiative implements key recommendations from the Roundtable, including the recommendation to “invest in a robust, centralized, international multi-stakeholder network to regularly share data, research, programmatic best practices, and solutions for LGBTIQ+ persons of concern” and to establish “formal global structure, networks, and funding mechanisms by which members of humanitarian, human rights, and allied communities can exchange information, collaborate, coordinate, and hold each other accountable on collectively protecting and supporting LGBTIQ+ people in forced displacement and statelessness.” This centralized advocacy body will work with states to increase refugee intake, and adopt rapid intervention and protection pathways. States must continue progress made in LGBTQI+ rights, and invest in resettlement while upholding the right to seek asylum. Recently, several countries have taken key steps forward in their commitment to LGBTQI+ human rights, while also recognizing that sustained relationships with LGBTQI+ civil society and leveraging expertise of LGBTQI+-led organizations are key to accessing at-risk LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons. The Canadian government has partnered with Rainbow Railroad to create a dedicated resettlement pathway for LGBTQI+ refugees, both through direct NGO referral, and in partnership with a broader coalition across LGBTQI+ civil society to create dedicated LGBTQI+ private sponsorship resettlement slots. At the UNHCR High Level Officials Meeting, the United States committed to “establish new referral and sponsorship pathways for LGBTQI+ and other vulnerable refugee groups.” The US has begun working with LGBTQI+-led organizations to create new mechanisms for NGO referrals and private sponsorship, currently in the pilot stage. Other states are also exploring the possibility of dedicated pathways or quotas for LGBTQI+ refugees, including through partnership with LGBTQI+ civil society. Amidst the increased creation and use of complementary pathways, states must continue to affirm the principles of vulnerability-based resettlement and the additionality of complementary pathways, to ensure that the fundamental right to seek asylum is protected from erosion. Leveraging the expertise of LGBTQI+-led organizations - and in particular refugee-led LGBTQI+ organizations -  is key to assessing and identifying at-risk LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons in need of durable solutions, whether through resettlement or complementary pathways. As a coalition of LGBTQI+ and allied civil society organizations, we stand ready to elevate the voices of LGBTQI+ persons with lived experience of forced displacement, strengthen the work of LGBTQI+ activists leading advancements toward equality, and to partner with states to support those most at-risk in our communities. We call on states to create more dedicated pathways and programs to help LGBTQI+ people who are at risk of persecution, through funding for essential services and accessible resettlement pathways. States should invest in sustained partnerships with LGBTQI+ civil society to increase protection and safeguarding efforts of LGBTQI+ persons experiencing forced displacement.Presenting SignatoryRainbow RailroadJoint Civil Society Organization SignatoriesAccess Chapter 2Adhikaar AotearoaAfghanistan LGBTIQ+ OrganisationThe African Centre for Refugees in Ontario CanadaAGIR MontrealAlliance for South Asian AIDS PreventionAman LaraAmerica Diversa IncAmnesty International AustraliaANKH Association (Arab Network for Knowledge about Human Rights)APCOM FoundationArc EssentielASEAN SOGIE CaucusBlue Diamond SocietyCalgary Refugee HealthCanadian Centre for Gender and Sexual DiversityCapital Rainbow RefugeCentre de Recherche et de Documentation en Approches Genre CREDAGColours CaribbeanCorporación Caribe AfirmativoCouncil for Global EqualityCuso InternationalDerechos Humanos y Diversidad Asociación CivilDiálogo DiversoEgale CanadaEgides - Alliance internationale francophone pour l'égalité et les diversitésThe Enchanté NetworkEqual Asia FoundationEQUAL GROUNDFierté Canada PrideFrom Borders to BelongingForcibly Displaced People NetworkFondation ÉmergenceFondation MassimadiFundación Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexualFundación Colectivo Hombres XX, A. C.Fundación IgualdadHelemHIV Legal NetworkILGA AsiaILGA- LAC ArgentinaILGA WorldImmigration EqualityInstituto sobre Migracion y Refugio LGBTIQ para Centroamerica IRCA CASABIERTAKudwaKyivPride CanadaLesbian and Gay Federation in Germany (LSVD)Lithuanian Gay LeagueMicro Rainbow International FoundationMOSAIC MENAMorgane Oger FoundationMovimiento de Integración y Liberación Homosexual (Movilh)Namibia Diverse Women's Association (NDWA)Niskanen CenterOCASI- Ontario Council of Agencies Serving ImmigrantsORAM - Organization for Refuge, Asylum and MigrationOTD ChilePolonia InclusivePride at Work Canada/Fierté au travail CanadaPride TorontoPromsexProud To Be TransRainbow AfghanistanRainbow Refugee SocietyRainbow Faith and FreedomRed nacional de apoyo a personas migrantes y refugiadas LGBT MéxicoRed Regional de Protección a Personas LGBTIQ+ Refugiadas y Migrantes en las AmericasRefugee Council USARefugio LGBT CASA FRIDAReportOUTRFSL -The Swedish Federation for LGBTIQ RightsSASOD GuyanaSynergía - Initiatives for Human RightsWILPF CanadaWUSC (World University Service of Canada)UK Black PrideUnited Church of CanadaVenezuela Diversa

In May of 2023, the Ugandan President signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law, codifying one of the most extreme pieces of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation in the world.In recent months, Rainbow Railroad has experienced an alarming surge in requests for help from the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda.We’ve also received a spike in requests for assistance from our partners on the ground in Uganda, including under-resourced organizations and shelters in rural Uganda, which have received little to no international attention. We’re also seeing a worsening trend of community rejection — including evictions, violent arrests, and loss of employment — as a major safety concern for LGBTQI+ individuals. You can read more about one of our partner organizations in Uganda, Mbarara Rise Foundation, here.November 28, Giving Tuesday, all donations made to Rainbow Railroad will be directed to our work in Uganda, supporting the vital services of these organizations.We ask for your support as we stand in solidarity with LGBTQI+ Ugandans. Please give generously.

In addition to providing emergency travel support to individuals fleeing persecution, Rainbow Railroad operates five programs, including Partnership Development. Through this program, we work closely with human rights defenders and grassroots organizations to provide direct support to LGBTQI+ communities on the ground. One of these organizations is Mbarara Rise Foundation (MRF). MRF was founded in 2016 to address discrimination, violence and persecution faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in rural communities in western Uganda. They promote social change, equality, and acceptance, and offer a range of essential services tailored to the needs of the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda. These services include legal aid, HIV-related support and counseling, healthcare access, advocacy, safe housing and relocation, and economic empowerment skills programs.Real Raymond, MRF’s Executive Director, reflects on the ups and downs of operating the organization: “We face a combination of challenges and rewarding moments. The difficult parts primarily revolve around the persistent discrimination, persecution and violence faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda. It is heart-wrenching to witness the hardships LGBTQI+ individuals endure due to societal prejudice and discriminatory laws. Additionally, working in an environment where our mission is met with resistance and hostility can be emotionally taxing. However, we’re never deterred by these challenges. We also witness the transformation and positive impact of our work on the LGBTQI+ individuals we support. These success stories serve as a guiding light and inspire us to continue our work. The resilience and strength of the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda are a constant source of inspiration for us.” MRF continues to advocate for legislative change and empower LGBTQI+ individuals to be a catalyst for social change, contributing to a more inclusive and accepting society in Uganda.To LGBTQI+ individuals facing difficulties, Mbarara offers a message of solidarity, resilience, and hope: “You are not alone and your identity is valid. Reach out for support and find allies who will stand by your side. There is strength in our community, and together, we can create positive change. Your well-being and happiness are worth fighting for, and brighter days are ahead.”“And to those who support Rainbow Railroad, we, at MRF, extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation. Your support of Rainbow Railroad is a lifeline for LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda and around the world. You are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. Your commitment to our cause is a beacon of hope, and we thank you for your unwavering solidarity and generosity. Together, we are working towards a world where love, acceptance, and equality prevail.” This Giving Tuesday, November 28, all donations to Rainbow Railroad will be directed to our work in Uganda, including our support of partner organizations like MRF. Donate here. 

Trans Awareness Week November 13-19We observe Transgender Awareness Week at Rainbow Railroad to promote greater acceptance, visibility, inclusivity, and social change for the transgender community. In order to understand and address the challenges the global trans community faces, it is critical to centre the lived experiences of its members. In 2023, the number of requests for help from trans individuals Rainbow Railroad received doubled.Julia is one of the trans individuals Rainbow Railroad supported this year. Growing up in Tunisia, she faced bullying and harassment because of her identity. At only 18 years old, she was imprisoned because a piece of her ID did not match her gender expression. As a result, she spent over a year in prison without facing a fair trial.Julia is a multi-talented artist and creator. In 2018, she founded “Alwani,” which means “My colours'', in Arabic, an organization dedicated to advocating for the LGBT community in Tunisia. As a result of her activism, Julia was invited by the Arab Institute for Research and Publishing in Lebanon to help update their guide on gendered vocabulary in the Arabic language.2022 was a turning point for Julia when members of an extremist group attacked both her and her mother. Through a recommendation of a friend, she reached out to Rainbow Railroad. The decision to leave Tunisia was not easy. She would have to leave her family behind and face financial insecurity from her resettlement. However, she felt she had no choice but to leave, describing her mental state as “in constant fear and expecting harassment at every corner, or worse, the police dragging me down to the station.”Julia sought refuge in Madrid. She describes her three-day wait at the airport as a positive experience. Contrary to all her expectations, she was well taken care of, fed and given a phone to call home. The Red Cross provided her with a wheelchair because of complications she suffered throughout her travels. On June 14, 2023, Julia, at 28 years old, was granted asylum in Spain and started her new life in Madrid.A resettlement organization, Rescate, supported Julia with housing in Spain and helped her learn Spanish. When asked how she adjusted to her new life in Madrid, she remarks, “I feel at peace, safe and secure. That is what changed for me — not the change in geographic location. My mind is no longer busy looking for ways to run for safety or thinking of how to prepare for the worst scenario possible.”Her days in Madrid are occupied with participating in different activities through Rescate, learning Spanish and enjoying her hobbies of cooking and drawing.Her current motto in life is: “I learn something new every day and every day is the best day of my life”.“I tell my Tunisian LGBTQ+ folks not to despair and not to give up, and not to tire; to work toward your clear goals and realize them. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from community organizations or lawyers, and be who you are and live for what your souls yearn for, not for others. And don’t forget to dance to life’s ever-changing tunes.”“I thank everyone who supported and supports Rainbow Railroad. And I tell them that their donations helped me reach safer shores and their donations are helping many others like me from the LGBTQI+ communities all over the world.”  In 2023, Rainbow Railroad successfully relocated hundreds of individuals like Julia, while providing vital support to thousands of others through shelter, emergency financial assistance, crisis response support, and other programs. Help make our work possible by making a donation today at rainbowrailroad.org/donate.

As the Afghanistan response enters its third year, research suggests that the risks to LGBTQI+ persons posed by the Taliban regime continue largely unabated while the availability of pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ Afghans is stagnating. More broadly, the humanitarian situation facing LGBTQI+ Afghans is gradually shifting from a complex emergency to a protracted situation. At this stage, given the lack of a clear endgame for the crisis due to the seeming durability of Taliban governance, there is a pressing need to bring together intervening organizations to assess the humanitarian response to-date, the current state of play, and determine next steps from a coordinated perspective.To that end, ILGA ASIA and Rainbow Railroad co-hosted a Strategic Convening on Afghanistan LGBTQI+ Human Rights and Humanitarian Response on 5-6 July 2023. This hybrid convening gathered stakeholders from Afghan-led organizations and LGBTQI+ organizations from the US, UK, Germany, Pakistan and Thailand. The agenda was organized around a set of thematic areas and structured through a set of focused discussion questions geared toward aligning on a strategic direction for the response.The conclusions and recommendations emerging from this convening have been published in a report entitled "Strategic Convening on Afghanistan: LGBTQI+ Human Rights & Humanitarian Response". The full report can be accessed below, and is also available for download here.

On October 26, 1996, intersex activists from around the world gathered in Boston, Massachusetts, outside the annual American Academy of Pediatrics conference for the first public demonstration by intersex people in North America. Since then, this day has been observed annually to raise awareness of the issues intersex individuals face, promote understanding and acceptance, and advocate for their rights and access to respectful and supportive healthcare practices.Intersex people are born with natural variations in their biological sex characteristics — simply put, their bodies fit outside the strict male/female binary. It's important to recognize that intersex is a natural part of human diversity — not a medical condition to be changed or fixed. Medical practitioners' failure to comprehend and recognize this has led to traumatizing situations for intersex individuals, especially minors who undergo surgeries without proper explanation of their characteristics. Over the years, the internet and social media helped break the silence surrounding intersex issues, allowing intersex individuals to connect, share their stories, and ultimately find solidarity. Between 2021 and 2022, Rainbow Railroad saw a 78% increase in requests for help from intersex individuals. So far in 2023, more than 400 intersex individuals have reached out for assistance.Intersex activist, psychotherapist, American jazz singer and actress, Eden Atwood, recounts her journey as an intersex individual: “I didn’t feel the same as everybody else. I was never told as a child and teenager why I didn't get my period. When the results of my blood test arrived, it was met with silence by my mother and the medical practitioner at Mayo Clinic in the late 80’s.” “Growing up intersex was isolating and painful because of how I was treated by the medical community. It damaged my view of myself. I already had a very difficult relationship with my mother and used to fake a variety of illnesses to get her attention. When I was told I had “precancerous twisted ovaries” I thought, oh god, I did this to myself. I faked so many illnesses I made myself deathly ill. Of course none of that was true. I was not deathly ill nor had I done anything to myself. Being intersex today is still isolating, but I no longer have shame about myself or my body. Nothing in my life has ever been so painful as carrying deep shame. Unraveling that shame has been profoundly difficult. Living my life without a secure attachment to either of my parents made my life very lonely and often very painful.”Eden transformed her pain into purpose and started to support others in their own journey of embracing the whole of who they are which she describes as the source of their joy. Atwood and their former partner founded The Interface Project to share the lived experiences of intersex people as an act of love for themselves and their community.Music is their outlet and singing their story empowers them to be present and show up as the forgiving and compassionate self that aspires to artivism: “I always believe in art and its power to educate, heal, incite and inspire. Music is always true north for me. It reminds me of who I am, where I have been, and keeps me moving in the direction of love.”Eden continues to advocate for intersex rights and is currently part of a lawsuit in Montana, USA opposing Senate Bill 458 that seeks to legally define binary biological sex. By observing Intersex Awareness Day, we continue to foster understanding, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote respect for the diverse experiences and identities within the intersex community. It also celebrates the strength and resilience of intersex individuals and helps create a world that respects and values everyone's unique journey. 

The Global Compact on Refugees, by which governments made commitments for refugee solutions, made little mention of LGBTQI+ persons.In 2021 UNHCR hosted a Global Roundtable on LGBTQI+ forced displacement. The convening, which took place virtually with 13 sessions over three weeks, marked a significant milestone in addressing the gaps faced by LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move. Rainbow Railroad was a co-facilitator and key participant in the convening which resulted in 33 important recommendations constituting a foundational roadmap for further action for UNCHR, governments and civil society in regard to the protection of and solutions for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced and stateless persons throughout the world.Read the recommendations here.