Fundraiser Evening Brunch & Pub Quiz Friday 30th June!

Nearly 70 countries criminalise same sex relations, some with the death penalty. In those and many other countries lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people face violence and abuse by state officials, community, and family members without state protection. Rainbow Migration supports LGBTQI+ people seeking safety in the UK.

LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum are highly marginalised because of isolation, poverty and LGBTQI+ phobia among refugee communities and racism among LGBTQI+ communities. On top of navigating a complex asylum system, they must prove they are LGBTQI+ to get refugee status with the only evidence often being their own words. The pressure to produce additional forms of evidence places them at high risk of exploitation, for example staying in an exploitative relationship so the partner will provide evidence.

LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum are often the furthest from and underserved by current advice and support provision. Many struggle to access practical and emotional support as most mainstream refugee or LGBTQI+ organisations do not provide services specific to their needs and often avoid them for fear of prejudice by staff and other people seeking asylum.

Rainbow Migration supports LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system. We provide practical and emotional support services to reduce isolation, help people to build support networks and friendships, and help them to access safe housing and healthcare. We deliver specialist legal advice and refer people to quality lawyers to help them secure refugee status. We undertake policy and campaigning work to advocate for better treatment of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and a more humane asylum and immigration system.