Community News Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard to launch new service with Conversation Over Borders for LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and migrants Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard has teamed up with fellow Brighton-based charity Conversation Over Borders (COB) to start a new service for LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – and are inviting people to its free first event on Monday, December 11. The new service called IRIS, which sta By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News “Don’t send LGBTQ+ people into danger.” Email your MP to protect LGBTQ+ asylum seekers Rainbow Migration, a charity providing practical and emotional support for LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum, said: “LGBTQ+ people come to the UK in need of protection. But this government wants to punish them by sending them to countries where they will face yet more persecution.” By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Fundraising News Can you help Queer Refugees Unite get to London Pride? The group has been allocated 40 wristbands to march in the London Pride Parade on July 1. Members are spread across the country, and so the group needs to buy coach tickets to get them to London. They also need to have T-shirts printed, make banners and placards, and pay for refreshments on the day. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
International News New report from Amnesty International and National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission finds LGBTQ+ refugees in Kenya at high-risk of rape and violence in refugee camp The 54-page report, Kenya: “Just Like Any Other Person”, details the extreme discrimination and violence suffered by LGBTQ+ residents in Kakuma – both as a result of their status as asylum seekers or refugees and their sexual orientation, gender identity By Graham Robson • 4 min read
LGBTQ+ News UN LGBTQ+ rights expert concerned by political discourse on refugees and asylum seekers in UK “I am deeply concerned about increased bias-motivated incidents of harassment, threats, and violence against LGBTQ+ people, including a rampant surge in hate crimes in the UK,” said Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual or By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Brighton study reveals risks facing LGBTQ+ people in immigration detention New research from the University of Brighton – funded by the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender and the Centre for Digital Cultures and Innovation – has revealed that LGBTQ+ people continue to face harassment, bullying and deteriorating mental health while in immigration detention. By Graham Robson • 3 min read
LGBTQ+ News International Family Equality Day kicks off Sunday, May 1 On Sunday, May 1, rainbow families around the world as well as their friends and allies will get together to celebrate the 11th edition of International Family Equality Day – an annual LGBTQ+ awareness day that promotes family equality and human rights for everyone. By Graham Robson • 3 min read
Community Norway gov confirms it is to prioritise LGBTQ+ refugees Norway Government confirms it is to prioritise LGBTQ+ refugees, recognising that persecution on the grounds of sexual orientation may be a reason for moving. By Contributor • 1 min read
Community News Pink Triangle Trust’s £1,000 donation to Rainbows Across Borders The Pink Triangle Trust donates £1,000 to Rainbows Across Borders By Contributor • 1 min read
In The South Barnardo’s launch training for staff to support LGBT refugees fleeing oppression Barnardo’s is to offer new training for its frontline staff to help them better identify refugees fleeing oppression and discrimination due to their sexuality. By Besi • 2 min read
In The South First safe house for LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees opens in the UK In October 2017, asylum seekers Rashid from Bangladesh and Maria from El Salvador, entered the first safe house in the UK created by Micro Rainbow International (MRI), a house exclusively for LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees. By Besi • 2 min read
