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"What keeps me motivated is the unwavering belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their race, ability, sexuality, or gender identity. Understanding that I am part of a larger movement of activists, allies, and supporters strengthens my resolve in the face of daunting challenges within global queer and Black liberation”-Nzovu Job Ruzage, Executive Director of Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA)We are honouring and celebrating Black History Month by featuring a Black-led partner organization of Rainbow Railroad every week of February and exploring how queer Black liberation informs their work. This week, we are featuring Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA).Queer Black Liberation & Defending the Rights of Sexual Minorities “The framework and principles of queer Black liberation has informed and reinforced the importance of an intersectional approach in our advocacy efforts, enabling us to address the multifaceted nature of oppression effectively,” reflects Job, Executive Director of Human Rights First Rwanda Association, “and, by integrating queer Black liberation into our initiatives, we have been instrumental in the campaign to decriminalize sexual minorities, specifically targeting discriminatory laws such as the proposed Article 217 of the Rwandan Penal Code in 2009.”Since 2008, HRFRA has led efforts to promote and defend the rights of sexual minorities. One of its major achievements has been the successful advocacy for the removal of Article 217, which sought to criminalize LGBTQI+ activities and advocacy in Rwanda. This significant change has enabled sexual minorities in Rwanda to live without fear of punitive measures, though  discrimination and violence persist.HRFRA focuses on legal empowerment, pro-bono legal aid, advocacy-based research, education, and community empowerment, to fill gaps in access to justice, provide a voice for underrepresented communities, and promote human rights. As part of their advocacy efforts, HRFRA has publicly opposed Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 and condemned the remarks made by Burundi's head of state advocating for the public stoning of LGBTQI+ individuals. HRFRA has been vocal in their activism, for example, by making visible and observing the 10th anniversary of Resolution 275 of the African Commission, which aims to protect the LGBTQ+ community in Africa from violence perpetrated by both state and non-state actors. Improving Support through PartnershipHRFRA first connected with Rainbow Railroad through networks of organizations dedicated to LGBTQI+ rights and social justice. The partnership between Rainbow Railroad and HRFRA was established in 2023, and focuses on supporting the LGBTQI+ refugee community in Rwanda in areas such as access to justice and mental health support. Key areas of collaboration include capacity-building, legal aid, psychosocial support, and expanding HRFRA's reach to include LGBTQI+ refugees coming from neighboring countries like Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.The partnership with Rainbow Railroad has brought significant benefits to HRFRA and the communities it serves such as increased resources, enhanced advocacy efforts, and improved support for the LGBTQI+ community. With this partnership, HRFRA was able to provide support on more than 600 cases involving LGBTQI+ persons in need of  legal aid and psychosocial support. This includes  referrals to other organizations and institutions like law enforcement agencies. Over 80 cases of LGBTQI+ refugees from Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya have been assisted with asylum procedures and illegal detentions.This collaboration has strengthened HRFRA's ability to raise awareness on a larger scale and to advocate for the rights of LGBTQI+ refugees and other vulnerable groups. Making a Tangible Difference for LGBTQI+ RefugeesHRFRA faces several challenges in its day-to-day work, including resistance from those opposed to LGBTQI+ rights, resource constraints, and the emotional toll of working with individuals who have experienced trauma and persecution. Despite these difficulties, the work is deeply rewarding. Making a tangible difference in people's lives, empowering communities, building partnerships, and experiencing personal growth are all fulfilling aspects of the work. Job describes his dedication to continuing this work: “What keeps me motivated is the unwavering belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their race, ability, sexuality, or gender identity. Understanding that I am part of a larger movement of activists, allies, and supporters strengthens my resolve in the face of daunting challenges within global queer and Black liberation”HRFRA is committed to advocating for the rights of vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged groups, with the goal of achieving a society free from discrimination and violence where everyone has equal access to justice and community support. To LGBTQI+ individuals facing difficulties, Job offers a message of solidarity and hope: "You are not alone, and your identity is valid and beautiful. Seek out allies, connect with those who understand your journey, and know that you are loved and valued."

Rainbow Railroad calls on Canada to urgently create an exception for intersex, transgender, and non-binary asylum seekers under the STCA.

Recurring donors are critical to our foundation as an organization, helping us remain flexible and respond to emerging crises, no matter when or where they arise. This year, we are facing a rapidly changing landscape for the rights of LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers and, with the support of our recurring donors, we are able to plan to meet this moment head-on. This month, we spoke to one of our recurring donors, Roger Larios-Gallant, about what motivates him to continue supporting our work. To become a recurring donor, and help to strengthen the foundation of our organization, click here.Rainbow Railroad: What inspired you to start giving to Rainbow Railroad, and why did you choose to become a monthly or recurring donor?Roger: For a long while I had been feeling a need to give back. I knew there was need out there but with so many organizations and charities I felt overwhelmed. Watching Canada’s Drag Race I was introduced to Rainbow Railroad and it struck a chord in me. I felt such an immediate connection that I instantly began plans to give on a monthly basis. Rainbow Railroad: Why is the mission of Rainbow Railroad personally meaningful to you?Roger: The reason I felt such a strong connection to Rainbow Railroad is because I myself am gay and I was not born in Canada. I was born in Nicaragua where being gay is very much considered a crime and people die because of it every day. My parents had the foresight to immigrate my family to Canada when I was 12 years old. It is not lost on me the amazing blessing it is to live in Canada as a gay man. The freedom that I feel here, every time I look into my husband’s eyes, when I hold his hand in public, I know I experience freedoms and rights that others in other parts of the world simply don’t. It is a privilege to be given the chance to give someone else the same opportunities. Every time I give I think ‘it could easily be me’. Rainbow Railroad: What impact do you hope your donations will have on the lives of the people Rainbow Railroad supports?Roger: I give in the hopes that my small contribution may reach someone out there in need. Rainbow Railroad: If you could share a message with someone who is considering becoming a monthly or recurring donor, what would you tell them?Roger: As LGBTQI+ people continue to be persecuted simply for loving who they love, giving is a way to allow them a way out. Rainbow Railroad: Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud to support Rainbow Railroad?Roger: Speaking with the team at Rainbow Railroad, I was giving a bigger picture of how far my small contribution extended. And I felt directly connected to lives that were transformed, people who were moved from dangerous situations solely because of donating.Rainbow Railroad relies on recurring donors like Roger to get more to safety. Become a recurring donor to support our mission today. 

Emmanuel's journey, marked by courage and resilience, has been a powerful testament to the possibilities of hope and freedom.

This new era of leadership threatens to erode the progress LGBTQI+ and immigrant rights groups have made in securing pathways to protection for LGBTQI+ refugees.

After years of facing discrimination and limited opportunities, Herberth arrived in Chicago with support from his private sponsorship group and Rainbow Railroad. At 28 years old, he embarked on a journey of transformation — one filled with challenges, growth, and hope for the future.

Queer Forced Displacement Initiative (QFDI) is a project to create an international network to advance protection and solutions for LGBTQI+ people in forced displacement. To lay the groundwork for this network, from 2024-2025 Rainbow Railroad is co-facilitating a series of global roundtable consultations with civil society organizations, people with lived experience of forced displacement, and state and humanitarian actors. The consultations aim to provide a snapshot of the local context in key transit countries for LGBTQI+ migrants across Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The collective data and findings emerging from each consultative roundtable will be used to directly inform the design, focus and function of this multi-stakeholder network, which aims to be launched at the end of 2025.This report summarizes key themes, findings and recommendations from the first in this series of roundtables, held in Mexico City, Mexico from September 5th-6th, 2024, organized in partnership with Casa Frida, Refugio LGBTIQ+.Over the course of two-days, participants identified a number of key challenges faced by LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees. Notably, xenophobic and anti-LGBTQI+ discrimination at the interpersonal, structural, and systemic levels create significant barriers for LGBTQI+ individuals in safely accessing essential services such as healthcare, shelter, housing, food, and employment. Participants also highlighted the need to enhance the security of individuals, combat human rights violations, and enhance access to justice. The following recommendations emerged in response to these challenges.You can read the full report below or download the report here.

Julieth’s journey has been marked by courage and historic achievements. In 2024, she became the first transgender woman to graduate from the University of El Salvador with a degree in Business Administration under her legal name.

After a long and difficult journey, Cabrel arrived in the United States and experienced a moment he’ll never forget. “When I landed in San Francisco, my sponsor group was waiting for me with a sign that said, ‘Welcome Cabrel,’ and a rainbow flag. I will never forget that day — I was so happy to see them.”

In more than 60 countries, LGBTQI+ people are criminalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. As a result, many LGBTQI+ people experience severe forms of violence, persecution, and discrimination in their home country, usually incited by state actors, leaving them with little recourse but to flee. State-sanctioned homophobia and transphobia force LGBTQI+ people to live in constant fear for their lives. They are also subjected to community violence, family violence and rejection, and are denied basic human rights, such as access to education, employment, healthcare, and legal protections. Forced to flee, they seek refuge in countries like Canada, where they can live safely with dignity and contribute to society without fear of persecution.Accessing humanitarian protection and resettlement programsHumanitarian protection and resettlement programs are not always safe and accessible for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers. Options for many individuals are restricted because of passport immobility, visa restrictions, high costs, danger in transit countries and refugee camps, the intimate nature of ‘proving’ LGBTQI+ persecution, retraumatization, and a limited number of available resettlement spaces. Some LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers also experience homophobia and transphobia on their journey in search of safety. The majority of refugees and asylum seekers are in fact hosted in countries that criminalize or restrict LGBTQI+ identity, intimacy, expression, or association to some degree. While there are several organizations that work to provide refuge for the more than 120 million forcibly displaced people – including over 43 million refugees, only a handful focus on LGBTQI+ people who have been forcibly displaced. Rainbow Railroad is one such organization. We work at the intersection of LGBTQI+ criminalization and forced displacement. Over the past 18 years, we have experienced a significant increase in the number of LGBTQI+ people reaching out to us for help after being abandoned by their state, community, family, and sometimes the humanitarian protection system. One of the ways that we intervene and offer support is by improving their access to humanitarian protection and resettlement programs.Canada’s commitment to LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekersCanadian immigration regulations explicitly recognize the need for protections for LGBTQI+ people facing discrimination or danger in their home countries. By providing humanitarian protection and resettlement options for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers, Canada is upholding its existing legal obligations and frameworks for refugee protection. Rainbow Railroad works with the Government of Canada, community partners, LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers, and the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Canada to improve access to protection and resettlement for at-risk LGBTQI+ people. By doing so, we aim to ensure that LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers find safety, home, and belonging when they relocate here.Rising Anti-Refugee Narratives Unfortunately, this critical work is now under threat. While refugees make up a fraction of the newcomers in Canada, “the heightened debate about immigration has bled into how the public views [them]”. Refugees are unfairly being made scapegoats for issues like Canada’s housing crisis and economic challenges, bearing the brunt of misguided accusations that misplace blame on them. There is also a growing narrative that “many people claiming to be refugees are not real refugees”. The unintended consequence of this is the creation of a dangerous and divisive narrative which adds another layer of complexity and precarity for at-risk LGBTQI+ people who are seeking asylum in Canada because they were being persecuted in their home countries. This, even as Canada remains a beacon of hope for these individuals and has consistently demonstrated its commitment to protecting those who face persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and other protected grounds, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.Continued Partnership for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekersRainbow Railroad believes that through continued partnerships and incisive planning, the Government of Canada can maintain, if not marginally increase the number of LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum claims it accepts annually. At-risk LGBTQI+ people who are forced to flee home depend on the compassion of the Government of Canada, and a reduction in the number of individuals the IRCC will accept in the category of Refugees and Protected Persons from a planned high of 93,000 in 2024 to a planned high of 60,000 in 2027 hurts the increasing number of individuals who are forced to flee home. A balanced, partnership-centric approach to supporting LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers can uphold Canada’s core values without straining the economy or overburdening taxpayers in the long term. Over time, refugees contribute to Canada’s GDP and “pay more in income tax on average than they receive in public benefits and services”. Furthermore, data show that refugees have one of the highest rates of tax compliance in Canada.Supporting LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers may require additional initial investments in specialized programs, such as mental health support, trauma counseling, and legal aid to navigate asylum claims; these costs are short-term investments in ensuring that LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers are successfully integrated into Canadian society. By providing the necessary support at the outset, Canada can reduce the long-term burden on social services and promote greater self-sufficiency among this population.Holding the line on the commitment to LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekersRainbow Railroad calls on the Government of Canada to take the following actions.Invest in technology and procedural reforms to streamline and swiftly process refugee claims; this will reduce wait times, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure that LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers are given timely protection. Following the COVID-19 disruption to the in-person Refugee Status Determination hearings, the Immigration Refugee Board revolutionized its case intake and utilized videoconferencing to hold hearings, which improved efficiency and reduced backlog. Expand regional access to resettlement pathways for at-risk LGBTQI+ people. Right now, access to resettlement pathways to Canada is limited to individuals in certain countries or regions. Enhance its collaborative effort with Rainbow Railroad, and local and international partners to secure positive relocation outcomes for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers using the whole-of-society approach.Maintain the planned 2024 immigration level for Refugees and Protected Persons over the next three years to ensure that LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers are not abandoned because of their vulnerability.Bolster the private sponsorship of refugees program through sponsorship agreement holders and partnerships with LGBTQI+ advocacy and community organizations; this leverages community resources, reduces government spending, and creates a strong network of support for LGBTQI+ refugees.Disrupt the current dangerous and divisive policy and populist narrative that refugees and asylum seekers are causing the housing crisis in Canada. Refugees and asylum seekers make up a small fraction of Canada’s overall population, and their presence does not meaningfully contribute to this crisis. It is possible to protect and support at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers through a cost-effective, targeted approach that ensures successful integration into Canadian society. A nation that prides itself on justice and compassion must not allow vulnerable populations to become victims of a misleading, dangerous and divisive narrative in the face of complex socio-economic challenges. We must work together to uphold the values of inclusivity and human dignity that have long defined Canada’s approach to humanitarian protection and refugee resettlement.

Latin America and the Caribbean are regions facing record numbers of forced displacement, including of LGBTQI+ people at risk. Rainbow Railroad data can shed light on their experiences.

When LGBTQI+ individuals face a lack of basic necessities, increased instances of sexual violence, or lack of access to mental health and healthcare, HIV-positivity rates increase.