All Stories

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

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

It's been decades since Ghana gained independence from the British Empire, setting off a chain reaction on a continent where dozens of countries struggled under the weight of European rule. But while British colonialism may seem like a hallmark of the past, its legal and cultural legacies remain deeply embedded in the present. Colonial-era anti-LGBTQI+ laws continue to shape legal systems and public attitudes, disproportionately impacting Black LGBTQI+ people across Africa and the global diaspora. In recent years, attacks against queer, trans, and gender nonconforming individuals have intensified alongside a broader global political shift to the far right, emboldening politicians to embrace and champion the backsliding of LGBTQI+ rights. Today, more than 60 UN member states criminalize consensual same-sex intimacy worldwide. Around half of such nations reside in Africa, with similar laws enforced across parts of the Middle East and Caribbean. Read More: The Anti-Homosexuality Act Now: The Path Forward for LGBTQI+ Rights in UgandaThe erosion of LGBTQI+ rights is rooted in a growing number of punitive laws: Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act, one of the most extreme pieces of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation in the world, imposes life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations. Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, passed a decade earlier, goes beyond just banning marriage equality.  The law also prohibits same-sex public displays of affection and criminalizes LGBTQI+ organizations and gatherings. And across the continent in Kenya, same-sex intimacy between men is subject to up to 14 years in prison.In each of these instances, the criminalization of LGBTQI+ people can be traced back to anti-LGBTQI+ laws imposed by Britain. Some experts argue, however, that some countries have since expanded and intensified those provisions.  “What we are witnessing today goes far beyond colonial legacy,” says Dennis Wamala, a Program Officer at Rainbow Railroad, who fled Uganda and relocated to Canada with the organization’s support. Read More: ‘Silence Was Not Survival’: How Dennis Turned His Story into Action“In countries such as Uganda, these laws have been deliberately expanded and weaponized under the influence of religious extremism and political opportunism. The result is legislation that is not only more punitive than the original colonial statutes, but openly inhumane,” he adds. “This is not about protecting culture or morality, it is about using LGBTQI+ people as political scapegoats to mobilize fear, distract from governance failures, and consolidate power.”A history of colonial anti-LGBTQI+ laws   Homosexuality was first codified as a civil crime in Britain following King Henry VIII’s passage of the Buggery Act of 1533, which made sexual relations between two men punishable by death. The law, which described same-sex sexual relations as “detestable and abominable,” remained in place in some way or another in England and Wales until 1967. In the centuries following the passage of the act, negative attitudes towards homosexuality remained dominant in society, with little movement towards equality. By the late 1800s, as several European nations, and particularly Britain, moved to take control over the African continent, such beliefs of queerness were imposed on African colonies under the British Criminal Code Act of 1916. The law criminalized "carnal knowledge against the order of nature," similar to the 1862 Indian Penal Code—used in the then-British colony of India—which also criminalized same-sex intimacy. The impact of British anti-LGBTQI+ laws The new laws imposed on African colonies marked a significant shift from a range of societal norms, where homosexuality was not consistently treated as a crime and, in some societies, was accepted within social life. While conservative voices today may promote anti-gay laws to protect traditional “African family values,” with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni calling homosexuality a “deviation” and asking lawmakers to resist “imperialist” pressure, research indicates that there were no policies outlawing homosexuality in Africa prior to colonization. Nevertheless, the influence of modern-day religious and Evangelical movements, and their homophobic nature, has become common all across Africa, as it's also been embraced as a popular political tactic to earn support from voters.  The consequences are tangible. Uganda currently ranks third in the list of countries where Rainbow Railroad receives the most requests for help. Since the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in March 2023, Rainbow Railroad has received more than 3,400 requests for help.  That's not to say that LGBTQI+ equality has not made strides among some former colonies. South Africa became the first country on the continent to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006, ahead of England and New Zealand. The state functions as a pioneer in the region despite current challenges impacting queer, trans, and gender nonconforming refugees who flee to the country from other nearby regions. In June 2024, the Namibian High Court decriminalized same-sex relations—reversing a colonial-era law inherited from South Africa. A year earlier, the court recognized some civil unions between same-sex couples conducted abroad. That advancement came with swift backlash: In 2025, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba passed a bill to block recognition of same-sex marriage, likely in response to negative cultural attitudes towards queer, trans, and gender nonconforming individuals. Elsewhere, similar tensions continue to unfold. The Kenyan Court of Appeals last year adjourned constitutional challenges to their existing penal code, which criminalizes same-sex actions. Earlier, the state considered Family Protection Bill 2023, which would expand current penalties for same-sex intimacy and further prohibit homosexuality, same-sex marriage, gender-affirming care procedures, and more. More than 2,200 requests for help from Kenya have been recorded from 2020 to 2025, with a near 200% increase from 2022 to 2023.Looking aheadThe legacy of colonialism continues to shape the legal and social realities facing Black LGBTQI+ people today. But it does not define the future. Across Africa and the global diaspora, activists, community leaders, and advocates are challenging inherited laws, reclaiming histories, and building movements grounded in dignity, care, and self-determination.Progress is often uneven, and frequently met with resistance, but it is undeniable. Court victories, community organizing, and international solidarity are opening new pathways towards safety.The work ahead remains urgent. Dismantling colonial-era legal systems, confronting political opportunism, and addressing deep-rooted stigma will require sustained commitment. The story is still being written, not only in courtrooms and legislatures, but in the everyday courage of people refusing to disappear. And in that collective resistance lies a powerful truth: change is not only possible, it is already underway. 

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

Meet Sizwe, Rainbow Railroad's Policy Officer.

Rainbow Railroad condemns the decision of Russian authorities to continue their crusade to criminalize queer people. Earlier this week, the government threatened to designate the Russian LGBT Network, one of the country’s largest LGBTQI+ civil society organizations, as an “extremist organization.” If approved, any participation in the organization’s activities, including volunteering, providing services, or displaying its symbols, could lead to administrative or criminal prosecution. This action follows the continued escalation of anti-LGBTQI+ repression, including the 2023 ruling that labelled the “international LGBT movement” as extremist and enacting legislation that restricted gender-affirming care and legal gender recognition.Russian authorities have intensified efforts to limit access to LGBTQI+ information online, including blocking Rainbow Railroad’s website, censoring independent media, and expanding laws that criminalize access to materials labelled “extremist.” These measures sever a critical lifeline that many LGBTQI+ people rely on to obtain information on existing legal protections, guidance, and pathways to safety, deepening isolation and increasing vulnerability for LGBTQI+ Russians already at risk.Rainbow Railroad has repeatedly denounced the broader campaign targeting LGBTQI+ civil society across Russia and the wider region. “This is life-threatening for many LGBTQI+ Russians. Anti-LGBTQI+ judicial actions are directly driving protection needs and forced displacement,” says Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, CEO, Rainbow Railroad.In 2025, Rainbow Railroad received over 600 Requests for Help from LGBTQI+ people living in Russia or Russian citizens, representing a more than 50% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, 65% of requests were submitted by LGBTQI+ Russians still residing within the country. LGBTQI+ Russians requesting help specifically cited the dangers of being openly queer in Russia, and the legal risks created by the designation of queer movements as “extremist.” “These figures reflect escalating risk, shrinking civic space, censorship of information channels, and the growing barriers LGBTQI+ people face in accessing protection and support,” says Langsberg-Lewis. “All these risks have been reported by our Russian partner organizations, who are all being targeted by this harmful campaign.”Rainbow Railroad has supported LGBTQI+ individuals fleeing persecution from Russia since the Chechnya anti-gay purges and continues to expand emergency relocation pathways and crisis response systems for those at risk. In response to the current escalation, Rainbow Railroad is mobilizing emergency assistance to support the Russian LGBT Network to ensure that LGBTQI+ Russians affected by these developments continue to have access to safety, reliable information, legal protections, and secure pathways to refuge. As Russian authorities attempt to ban human rights organizations, restrict the public display of LGBTQI+ symbols and public expression, they cannot erase LGBTQI+ communities or the global queer movement that sustains them.We call on the Canadian government, the European Union, community members and international partners to act with urgency and principle by sustaining funding for human rights defenders and frontline LGBTQI+ civil society organizations worldwide, and consider the following actions:Expand emergency visas and dedicated human rights defender protection streams for LGBTQI+ Russians forced into exile.Publicly condemn the weaponization of “anti-extremism” laws used to criminalize identity, suppress civic space, and legitimize the systemic assault on the rights of LGBTQI+ people.Increase flexible and rapid-response funding for frontline LGBTQI+ organizations providing humanitarian protection, relocation assistance, and crisis services to LGBTQI+ Russians in forced displacement.Safeguard access to independent LGBTQI + information channels and secure communication platforms that connect LGBTQI+ people who face persecution to life-saving protection pathways and LGBTQI+ support networks.We call on our community to donate in support of Rainbow Railroad’s work to mobilize emergency assistance for those most at-risk. The attempt to label Russian LGBTQI+ organizations as a national threat is part of a broader effort to erase communities from public life. Yet their continued existence is a powerful act of resilience. Rainbow Railroad stands alongside those working in difficult and courageous spaces to defend the rights, safety, and dignity of the most vulnerable, and we call on the international community to act with urgency to protect them.

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

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

How Rainbow Railroad’s Crisis Response and Grassroots Mobilization Funds are empowering frontline organizations with funding assistance during a period of increased need.

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

It has been almost three years since the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) was signed into law, representing one of the most extreme pieces of anti-LBGTQI+ legislation in the world. In that time, the global LGBTQI+ movement has witnessed a notable decline in support for LGBTQI+ rights and movement building across various democratic, legal and humanitarian protection systems. Rainbow Railroad has been closely monitoring the situation in Uganda; since the passing of the AHA, we have received over 3,450 requests for help from Ugandan citizens. In October, Rainbow Railroad hosted a meeting with representatives from Dignity Network Canada, a delegation of advocates opposed to the AHA, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, and trusted partner Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) to discuss the impacts of the bill on human rights defenders and LGBTQI+ persons in Uganda. The Anti-Homosexuality Act: The Continued Impact of Legislated HatredThe AHA seeks to prohibit any form of same-sex intimacy and its promotion or recognition. Prior to the passing of the AHA, same-sex intimacy was already criminalized in Uganda. The Penal Code 1950 criminalizes acts of carnal knowledge against the order of nature’ and ‘gross indecency’, colonial-era provisions which were retained after independence, and are punishable by life in prison. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women ruled last year that criminalization of consensual, same-sex intimacy between women (and by extension, all people) is a human rights violation. Since the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, these requests have grown exponentially with 291% increase compared to 2022. In 2023 alone, we witnessed a 2,057% surge in requests for Help from Uganda compared to the same period in 2022. Our advocacy has included the elevation of calls to action from Ugandan partners such as SMUG, with Canadian civil society and government representatives. Perspectives from the Ground: Coordinating with Local PartnersDuring the meetings hosted in October, our staff were briefed on the barriers faced by human rights defenders and the broader LGBTQI+ community since the passing of the bill.  Partners described how violence towards the LGBTQI+ community remains disproportionately widespread across all systems. There has been a significant rise in the number of internally displaced LGBTQI+ persons due to forced eviction of LGBTQI+ people, which is mandated by the AHA. SMUG also described how global donors operating in Uganda have begun removing any informational materials related to LGBTQI+ care from their programming, a clear indication of how organizations offering LGBTQI+ services are forced to self-censor any LGBTQI+ content for fear of legal or political reprisal. Coupled with the recent cuts to USAID funding for humanitarian aid, many healthcare centers and clinics have been forced to shut down. This erasure means that  many LGBTQI+ Ugandans are unable to access essential care with dignity and respectA representative from Westminster Foundation described how people perceived to be LGBTQI+ are subject to arbitrary arrests; they shared an example of three women who were detained for multiple  days and subjected to forensic testing merely for their suspected affiliation with the LGBTQI+ community. One human rights defender described the bill’s far-reaching effects in portraying LGBTQI+ identity as a threat to the state. They explained how Ugandan LGBTQI+ people have been legally classified as an “aggravated circumstance” under multiple laws, including the HIV Control and Prevention Act and the amended Penal Code. The Future of the LGBTQI+ Movement Across AfricaThis pattern is not unique to Uganda. This year alone, we have witnessed similar developments across the African continent, notably in West Africa, where evangelical coalitions and political regimes are promoting anti-LBGTQI+ sentiment under the guise of moral protection. One of our experts provided a real-life example of how global actors continue to fuel anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric by investing $40 million in establishing “African Centre for the Rehabilitation of LGBTQI+ Persons” effectively creating a conversion therapy institution.In early 2026, Ugandans will head to the polls for a general election. Activists and human rights defenders anticipate heightened arrests and expect that violence and political scapegoating of LGBTQI+ persons will continue to rise. Local LGBTQI+ grassroots organizations such as SMUG remain vital lifelines in providing support to displaced LGBTQI+ peopleA Global Call to ActionStrengthening international partnerships and elevating the calls of local human rights defenders is critical in the ongoing resistance to the anti-LBGTQI+ movement. As far-right and evangelical groups intensify radicalization efforts through political and religious systems, Rainbow Railroad continues to provide ongoing support to Uganda. We have fostered over 15 partnerships with grassroots LGBTQI+ organizations, and provided direct support to over 2,517 people, in the form of advocacy, livelihood assistance and shelter. We call on civil society and governments to continue to support the efforts of the LGBTQI+ movement in Uganda.Canadian Civil Society Organizations can support by: Pressing demand for broader sensitization and capacity building on LGBTQI+ issues, particularly through Know Your Rights workshops. There is an urgent need for sustained engagement with members of Parliament as well as enforcement agencies, acknowledging that many remain unaware of the lived realities and needs of queer communities. Both SMUG and Westminster Foundation have initiated targeted advocacy with MPs, including those involved in youth affairs.Ensuring that key advocates are “in the room,”  informed of agendas and positioned to speak out is critical. For example, participation in forums such as the Family Values Conference has proven effective in influencing public opinion and challenging anti-rights narratives. Our guest shared how the lack of civic spaces to convene has an impact on the momentum of the LGBTQI+ movement. Since the passing of the AHA, avenues for human rights defenders and LGBTQI+  Ugandans people to convene have become nearly non-existent. Organizations cannot afford to ensure consistent representation. For example, only one delegate could attend the ILGA Conference instead of a broader delegation of 20 MPs and advocates. This restricts engagement in both global and local policy dialogues and undermines the visibility of queer rights advocacy in international fora.Producing shadow reports and coalition-led studies helps to amplify local realities and equip advocates with data to challenge existing discriminatory laws. invaluable in building momentum within the  Ugandan LGBTQI movement, offering up practical tools for those on the ground.Engaging the private sector, especially large corporations in the global north. These entities can exert significant influence by publicly opposing regressive laws and adopting internal policies aligned with human rights principles.Encouraging the Government of Canada to mandate inclusive language and policy commitments in its international programming. Canada continues to act as both a convener and amplifier in global advocacy spaces and provides humanitarian assistance to LGBTQI+ movements.

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