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We’re highlighting insights from our 2022 Annual Report, Understanding the State of Global LGBTQI+ Persecution. To read more of our insights, you can access the full report here.Insights: Failed Travel and Barriers to Seeking AsylumBetween 2018 and 2022 we noted over 30 cases of  “failed travel” for individuals as we attempted to move them to safer locations. Due to systemic barriers in global border infrastructure, certain groups are disproportionately targeted for denial of boarding. The term “failed travel” refers to situations in which airline officials, private security guards, and other non-state agents prevent the cross-border movement of persons seeking access to asylum. Airlines are incentivized to reject travelers from boarding, even those with legal documents, because governments impose steep fines or suspend airlines’ licenses if the state ends up deporting someone who is later deemed inadmissible. Airlines do not have the training, capacity or authority to ensure that people will not be harmed if they are denied boarding. Denials by carriers are applied selectively and inconsistently, allowing some individuals to pass through airports freely while prohibiting others from boarding flights. This system lacks safeguards to ensure that people are protected from discrimination, including discrimination based on national, ethnic, or racial origin and gender identity and expression.There are many settings in transit countries outside of airports where LGBTQI+ people seeking safety face additional barriers.  LGBTQI+ refugees who are living in camps in countries that are not supportive of their rights face systemic discrimination, including barriers to accessing refugee status determination, as well as violence and harassment from local communities and other refugees. Humanitarian protection agencies, which are responsible for identifying the most vulnerable and connecting them with pathways to refuge, can miss necessary cultural and linguistic norms to meaningfully understand LGBTQI+ related persecution or even subject LGBTQI+ people to discrimination. LGBTQI+ persons coming from contexts where their diverse SOGIESC is a factor in their persecution may not readily identify themselves as LGBTQI+ due to their fears of being threatened with violence if their identities are known. Rainbow Railroad works closely with LGBTQI+ host community and asylum seeker networks, mapping LGBTQI+ inclusive service providers and community spaces so that we can respond to urgent protection needs, including food, medicine and safe shelter. We also advocate with governments to open pathways to find durable solutions for those who are most vulnerable. We need to work both within and outside of the international protection system to leverage creative solutions which build on the resiliency and courage of our case individuals.To read more of our insights, you can access the full report here.

There are nearly 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and climate disasters. The population of forcibly displaced people worldwide includes LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people and stateless people seeking protection from discrimination, abuse and persecution.In 2021 UNHCR hosted a Global Roundtable on LGBTQI+ forced displacement, and made 33 significant recommendations with regards to the protection and solutions for LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons throughout the world. One of them specifically recommends that UNHCR, "Establish a bilateral network, led by LGBTIQ+ people with lived experiences in forced  displacement, that  is  funded  by  UNHCR,  organized  at  the  global  level,  and  includes  space  for  these  individuals  to  come  together  to  interact  with  one  another  and  with UNHCR leadership."In this report, Rainbow Railroad proposes strengthening the global response to these serious challenges through an International LGBTQI+ forced displacement network which will engage people with lived experience, governments, civil society and academics, in research, advocacy and policy development.Rainbow Railroad, along with international partners, will build a critically needed long-term platform to support LGBTQI+ persons in forced displacement and to advocate for improved protection outcomes and access to durable solutions.In addition to generating lasting research and policy solutions, the network would provide a forum for different actors to mobilize and coordinate humanitarian response efforts in real time when crises occur.You can read the full report outlining the goals of the LGBTQI+ forced displacement network below, or download the report here.

We’re highlighting insights from our 2022 Annual Report, Understanding the State of Global LGBTQI+ Persecution. To read more of our insights, you can access the full report here.Human Rights Defenders Increasingly at RiskHuman rights defenders (HRDs) often work in dangerous circumstances and, in some cases, are forced to flee themselves. HRDs work locally, trying to advocate for changes to the laws and policies that criminalize and persecute LGTBQI+ persons, and are sometimes targeted by state actors as a result of their work. Recognizing this, the Canadian government established a dedicated refugee stream for human rights defenders for resettlement to Canada, one of the only countries in the world to make this kind of pathway available. Rainbow Railroad advocated for the creation of this novel pathway since inception, and as one of the only organizations with the capacity to refer LGBTQI+ human rights defenders, we have had the opportunity to refer seven cases for relocation to Canada through the HRD stream. Due to the unpredictability of government crackdowns and other regional circumstances, we cannot always anticipate when it will be necessary for HRDs to leave their work and seek refuge in another country. A group of HRDs may emerge as needing urgent protection; to prepare for this possibility, our team closely monitors evolving threats to HRDs around the world. A significant number of our cases involve case work done by trusted individuals who have long-term relationships with Rainbow Railroad staff, including HRDs who share information to verify requests for help. We also draw on the technical expertise of our dedicated staff of caseworkers, including several human rights defender colleagues who have lived experience of forced migration and/or persecution based on their LGBTQI+ identities.Limited Pathways to Safety for At-Risk LGBTQI+ PersonsIn 2022, 4% of all requests for help that Rainbow Railroad received had no route to safety and limited options for support through other channels. Our capacity to provide support to at-risk LGBTQI+ persons is limited by geopolitical factors, such as contextual risks, legal restrictions, and a lack of passport mobility.In 2021, we identified the top ten countries of nationality with the highest disparities between the number of requests we received and the number of individuals we were able to provide with Emergency Travel Support (ETS), where people are forced to remain due to barriers to movement. These countries were: Algeria, India, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Nigeria, Syria, Morocco, and Turkey. In 2022 data, two new countries appeared, Kenya and Jordan, replacing Somalia and Morocco. The replacement of Somalia and Morocco on this list is not because the situation has improved in either country, but because the situation in other countries has worsened - Somalia and Morocco still lack routes to safety.SyriaPakistanIranNigeriaLebanonJordanAlgeriaSaudi ArabiaIndiaKenyaRecognizing the systemic gaps that prevent at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals from relocating, Rainbow Railroad reaches those most in need through other channels, such as safehouses, partnerships, and advocacy work. For instance, requests from Nigerians increased by 30% in 2022 (288 total requests), and Rainbow Railroad supported local organizations that addressed basic needs, provided psychosocial and sexual health programming to individuals, as well as conducting human rights and advocacy work. Similarly, in Lebanon, Rainbow Railroad supported two organizations working on research and advocacy to identify gaps within support for the LGBTQI+ community in the country.Rainbow Railroad continues to advocate for a direct referring partnership with governments, including the government of Canada and the government of the United States, to be able to prioritize providing routes directly to safety for those from these countries. To read more of our insights, you can access the full report here.

We’re highlighting insights from our 2022 Annual Report, Understanding the State of Global LGBTQI+ Persecution. To read more of our insights, you can access the full report here.Rising Threats in the United StatesIn 2022, the United States emerged at #8 on our list of countries where the highest number of requests for assistance originate.  Notably, a significant number of these requests were received in the days following June 24, 2022, when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, suggesting that the withdrawal of the federal right to abortion provoked broader fears about threats to human rights. While the majority of the requests from the US in 2022 originated from US citizens (60%), 40% of requests were from nationals of 42 other countries, mainly requesting assistance in making asylum claims in the US. Rainbow Railroad affirms the United States as a global leader in refugee resettlement and advocates for increased resettlement of refugees to this country, including LGBTQI+ refugees. However, it is critical to recognize that, like many other countries around the world, there are significant regional and local inequalities in access to safety for LGBTQI+ persons across the United States. Although the Respect for Marriage Act protects marriage equality at a federal level, 2022 saw state legislatures introduce 315 discriminatory anti-LGBTQI+ bills. Although only 29 passed into law, this represents the largest wave of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation in recent US  history. At the same time that LGBTQI+ rights were being eroded, pandemic-era border restrictions continued to inflict significant harm on asylum seekers, effectively closing the US southern border to those seeking refuge. Although the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced their decision to repeal sweeping pandemic-era border restrictions  under Title 42, court injunctions kept the policy in place.  These policies continued in spite of scathing dissent from public health experts and immigrant rights groups. LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum are particularly vulnerable and face higher rates of violence and persecution in transit and in their home countries. The additional burden of the Title 42 expulsion order places them in grave danger at the southern border. South-South Migration As countries in the global north continue to see an increase in anti-migrant and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation, Rainbow Railroad has sought out alternatives to global north resettlement. We have noted a positive response to our facilitation of ‘South-South Migration’. For example, through partnerships with the organization AMAL in Argentina and PASSOP in South Africa, Rainbow Railroad continues to pilot and build new routes and more durable pathways to safety in the ‘Global South’ for LGBTQI+ refugees. To elaborate on the importance of increasing avenues for ‘South-South’ Migration, we interviewed Mariano Ruiz, Projects Coordinator for AMAL in Argentina.“Most countries in Europe are turning to the right and so we need more countries accepting newcomers, especially countries that approve progressive laws in which LGTBQI+ people can develop and express themselves freely. Argentinian society is quite open for immigration. We are a country made up of immigrants. The objective of AMAL is to make integration smoother. Thanks to the support of Rainbow Railroad we have the ability to have a stronger programmatic structure, resources, provide psychological and psychiatric support, general resettlement assistance, and things like Spanish classes for LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons and refugees.” “When people get to the border they don’t see anything else but the States. We wanted to be able to screen people at the southern border because of the effects of Title 42, where we could instead offer suitable candidates alternative routes to safety - one of which was Argentina where we could provide them support and housing and a sponsorship group.”When asked why he is committed to this work, Mariano responded, “Before working with refugees I was doing activism. That person that is migrating today, tomorrow could be me.”  To read more of our insights, you can access the full report here.

2022 was a significant year for Rainbow Railroad.We received almost 10,000 requests for help - an overwhelming and record number - and supported more individuals than any year in our organization’s history. When we look back at 2022, it’s clear that there is so much for us to learn, and share with our community. In drafting the 2022 Annual Report, “Understanding the State of Global LGBTQI+ Persecution”, our team had two main goals. First, we wanted to ensure a high level of rigor and integrity in our data analysis, based on three years of data and counting, and last year’s almost 10,000 individual requests for help from LGBTQI+ people at risk. As a team, we undertake quantitative and qualitative analysis to map trends and capture emerging insights. This report, which documents witness testimony of LGBTQI+ persecution from around the world, represents a relationship of deep trust between individuals in imminent danger, and Rainbow Railroad. We know that the data in this report represents a difficult year in queer history. It is a solemn moment where we declare, as we release this report on June 20th - World Refugee Day: LGBTQI+ people are here. We exist. And we will not be erased.Second, we wanted to meaningfully integrate the perspectives of Rainbow Railroad case individuals into our research and analysis. Individuals trust us with highly sensitive information, which is why any story or names shared in the report are only shared with their permission. Some wished to share their stories even though they are not in a safe enough environment to disclose their names publicly. In this report, we share stories of persecution and trauma, but also ask case individuals about their views of regional political dynamics in the Middle East, what it’s like to be a human rights defender, what safety means to them, and so much more. We feature perspectives from folks who are still waiting to travel, those who have just resettled and those who have built their lives in a destination country. In the coming weeks, we will continue to share key insights from this report, ensuring that the quantity and depth of data we have gathered is not lost as we move forward with our work. Thank you for being a part of it, and for supporting our mission. Today, June 20th, is World Refugee Day, and this month is Pride Month - but our work helping at-risk LGBTQI+ people is year-round. We could not be more proud to share this report and to use these findings to advocate for justice and protection for LGBTQI+ people at risk.You can also download the full report here.

Rainbow Railroad is announcing the launch of a new, historic partnership with the Government of Canada, allowing for more LGBTQI+ refugees to safely resettle in Canada. On June 8, the Government of Canada announced a landmark partnership with Rainbow Railroad to identify and refer at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees through the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) Program. Through this program, Rainbow Railroad will act as a trusted partner that can refer LGBTQI+ persons for resettlement to Canada.It will enable Rainbow Railroad to act alongside agencies like the UN Refugee Agency working with the Canadian government to refer at-risk LGBTQI+ persons for resettlement in the country.As the number of displaced LGBTQI+ people around the world continues to grow, so does the number of requests for assistance for Rainbow Railroad. In 2023, we have already received over 4,100 requests for assistance, and are averaging 10,000 a year.  Even though we have been able to move many people to safety, many are still waiting for assistance — mainly due to a lack of government partnerships for onward movement. To address this need, we, alongside members of the From Borders to Belonging coalition, have advocated for direct referral partnerships with the Canadian government for several years and have had success on a case-by-case basis. Our collective advocacy with the coalition led to the creation of an LGBTQI+-specific private sponsorship pathway through the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership (RRAP).  Furthering this momentum, we are delighted that Canada has stepped up as the first country to partner with Rainbow Railroad in a direct GAR referral capacity and hope other countries will follow suit.The Canadian government has been an important partner of Rainbow Railroad throughout our organization’s history. We worked closely with the federal government in establishing the RRAP program, coordinated with the government on public policy for an emergency response to the crackdown against LGBTQI+ Chechens in 2017, and in 2022 announced an incredible partnership to relocate more than 600 Afghans to Canada. Through each of these opportunities, we demonstrated our credibility and expertise for refugee referrals, and advocated tirelessly for a direct referral partnership to increase the number of people receiving international protection.  Rainbow Railroad works alongside a community of supporters who champion our mission, and our work will continue to depend on our community’s unwavering support. This historic moment — achieving one of our most significant and enduring policy goals — would not have been possible without continued advocacy supported by our community, the financial support of our donors, and the ongoing work of our partners both domestically and abroad. At the same time, our partnership with grassroots partners and human rights defenders around the world, and with the resilient and courageous individuals who make the difficult decision to leave their homes to seek safety, is the impetus that drives us forward in solidarity.While this program is still in development, we will share more information about this landmark moment in our history and this essential pathway for LGBTQI+ refugees soon.You can stay up to date on our work by signing up to receive our newsletter. Related Reports:Three steps the next Canadian government can take to provide more pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ RefugeesRainbow Railroad Calls for a Direct Referral Partnership with the U.S. Government

On May 26, 2023, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, one of the most extreme pieces of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation in the world. Consensual same-sex intimacy bears a penalty of life in prison. In addition, Section 14 of the Act, “Duty to report acts of homosexuality”, necessitates civilians report on each other; fining or imprisoning those that fail to do so. Those found guilty of repeated offenses including relations involving HIV+ persons or those deemed “vulnerable” are punishable by death — making Uganda the 12th state in the world to pass the death penalty for LGBTQI + persons. The Act also criminalizes a range of activities, including the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, effectively criminalizing LGBTQI+ advocacy with up to 20 years in prison. Further, the Act seeks to actively quash LGBTQI+ civil society by outlawing the operation of LGBTQI+ organizations outright. Finally, the law empowers employers to terminate their LGBTQI+ employees and requires landlords to evict LGBTQI+ persons and organizations. Landlords who fail to evict LGBTQI+ tenants will be punished by up to 20 years in prison.The Act has received widespread international condemnation, including Statements from both the Biden administration and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.You can read the full report here, or access it below.

Advocating for governments to create more pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ refugees has always been an essential part of our work. Governments have the power to help LGBTQI+ people seeking safety, and therefore, Rainbow Railroad consistently calls on governments to take action. Because of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to LGBTQI+ rights at home and abroad, and the United States’ capacity to resettle LGBTQI+ refugees domestically, Rainbow Railroad has been pressing the U.S. government since 2020 to make changes to laws and policies that would allow for more LGBTQI+ people to resettle in the United States. A key recommendation we have made since this administration has come into office has been to allow Rainbow Railroad and other LGBTQI+ civil society organizations the ability to directly refer vulnerable LGBTQI+ refugees to the U.S. government for resettlement.Why Direct Referral is ImportantLGBTQI+ people who have fled their home country and are living in what we refer to as a “transit country” must be referred to the government of a safer country in order to be resettled as a refugee. An embassy, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or a designated non-governmental organization can make this referral. A referral is what gives an LGBTQI+ person the chance of being resettled in a safer country. But, LGBTQI+ people face systemic barriers to attaining this referral. Limitations in access to refugee status determination services, violence and harassment in refugee camp settings and a lack of trauma-informed approaches to working with survivors prevent LGBTQI+ people from accessing traditional refugee assistance in transit countries. This is where Rainbow Railroad can play an essential role in identifying LGBTQI+ people in critical need of resettlement. Many of our staff are members of the LGBTQI+ community, and because we are embedded in an extensive network of civil society defenders across the globe, we have a unique ability to locate, verify, and triage LGBTQI+ people in need of resettlement. Rainbow Railroad is the leading international non-profit organization in safe relocation of LGBTQI+ persons globally. Last year alone, we supported more than 4,500 people through emergency travel and other programming. Referral Status Has the Potential to Create a “Highway to Safety”Designating Rainbow Railroad and other LGBTQI+ civil society organizations as referral partners has the potential to vastly increase the number of people Rainbow Railroad can resettle in the United States. Such a partnership would leverage Rainbow Railroad’s expertise at identifying, verifying, and triaging the most extreme cases of persecution while streamlining the process for refugee status determination for those in need. The U.S. government has recently announced a new program called Welcome Corps, which allows for U.S. citizens to sponsor refugees who relocate to the United States. Rainbow Railroad was proud to be a consultative partner in the development of this new program. Sponsors - ordinary American citizens - commit to providing emotional, financial, and integration support for a designated period of time in order to help a newcomer adjust to life in the United States. This program has the potential to resettle thousands of LGBTQI+ refugees in the United States, and making Rainbow Railroad an official referral partner will only help more LGBTQI+ people at-risk.As Welcome Corps is built, we are calling on the Biden-Harris administration to officially designate Rainbow Railroad a referral partner of the program. This partnership would have the potential to create a highway to safety for LGBTQI+ people in the United States; bringing together the on-the-ground expertise of Rainbow Railroad, the vast legal power of the U.S. government, and the generosity of ordinary American citizens.What comes next and how can I help?In the coming months, we’ll continue to advocate to the U.S. government to make Rainbow Railroad a full referral partner for the Welcome Corps program, in addition to making Rainbow Railroad a referral  partner for the traditional refugee stream (something we’ve been calling for since 2021).You can learn more about why we’re calling for the ability to directly refer refugees to the U.S. government as well as a full accounting of our specific policy asks in this memo to U.S. policy makers.  At the same time, we are building a database of U.S. citizens who are interested in becoming sponsors of LGBTQI+ refugees through the Welcome Corps program. You can learn more and register your interest in becoming a sponsor here. 

This report outlines the verification process for Human Rights Defender (HRD) cases by Rainbow Railroad intake caseworkers. This document describes how Rainbow Railroad’s vetting process aligns with the HRD stream’s definitions and criteria for referral. Requests for help received by Rainbow Railroad undergo thorough verification through civil document review, risk assessment and screening interviews to confirm identity and credibility. Cases move from an initial receipt of request for help or direct referral, to an email screening and evidence collection stage, to the interview and case summary stage with our Intake Casework Team. From this point applications that have been flagged as potential HRDs by the Intake Team, assigned to caseworkers. Caseworkers perform an indepth credibility assessment including conducting another interview, this one is specifically for HRDs, checking the case individual’s references, and working with the individual to complete their application. The application is then submitted for review to the Program Manager responsible for the HRD Stream and then final review goes through the Head of Programs before the case is submitted for consideration.You can read more about the HRD verification process here and below.

The Canadian government has established a dedicated refugee stream for human rights defenders (HRDs) for resettlement to Canada, and is exploring the possibility of opening this stream to credible non-governmental organizations such as Rainbow Railroad to make specialized direct referrals of their internal cases. Rainbow Railroad is grateful for the opportunity to be considered under this emerging pathway and to be engaged in an ongoing conversation around our direct referral capacity.You can read the full report here, or access it below.

In addressing global LGBTQI+ persecution and forced displacement, Rainbow Railroad relies on a large network of partners who support our mission, rather than on branded field offices which would pose a risk to our staff and the people we serve, given that same-sex intimacy is criminalized in nearly 70 countries. Instead, we work directly with local human rights defenders, activist networks, and organizations who help us to identify, verify, and triage requests for help from LGBTQI+ persons facing persecution and provide on-the-ground insights, verification, identification information, and logistical support. Our trusted relationships with underground collectives, unregistered groups, and LGBTQI+ rights defenders give Rainbow Railroad unique access to global networks of vulnerable individuals facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). This model has led to the successful relocation of thousands of individuals and has strengthened the global LGTBQI+ movement more broadly.Since 2019, Rainbow Railroad has partnered with over 50 organizations engaged in work with the LGBTQI+ community. While these partners are headquartered in 24 countries, many of the organizations work regionally and their reach extends into neighboring countries.The countries represented in Rainbow Railroad’s partnerships include Argentina, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guyana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, South Sudan, Tunisia, Russia, Rwanda, Turkey, Uganda, and Ukraine.You can read the full report here, or access it below.

Two years after a landmark decision from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urging the Jamaican government to repeal the country’s homophobic laws, Rainbow Railroad and the Human Dignity Trust call on Jamaica to immediately comply with the top Americas human rights tribunal’s recommendations.Despite two years having passed since the IACHR’s decision was made public, Jamaica has resolutely failed to comply with a single recommendation made by the Commission. In particular, homophobic laws remain in force and there is no protection from discrimination for the LGBTQI+ community.In the face of this lack of progress, the organizations released a joint report, A Caribbean Outlier: Repeal anti-LGBTQI+ laws in Jamaica, documenting the violence, harassment and discrimination faced by LGBTQI+ people in Jamaica over the last two years.According to the new report, in 2021, Rainbow Railroad received 322 requests for assistance from individuals in Jamaica, up from 280 the previous year. When seeking help, 221 LGBTQI+ people reported being beaten up, shot at or “chopped”. 101 people reported family-based violence, and there were a further 185 reports referring to public humiliation, sexual violence and police brutality.You can read the full report here, or access it below.