We ENGAGE with LGBTQ+ refugees in East Africa.

We ADVOCATE with our national and international partners for better and inclusive treatment of these refugees.

We CONNECT with local resettlement initiatives to sponsor these refugees.

Working alongside our trusted partner organizations, we help track the status and treatment of LGBTQ+ refugee communities in East Africa. With their help we work to raise awareness about their challenges, advocate for their compassionate inclusion in asylum and refugee systems, and remain prepared to connect them with resettlement resources should they legally arrive in Washington, DC.

We communicate regularly with representatives from our partner organizations, acting as a convener to form a coalition for these efforts. We are led by this coalition in terms of where to place our advocacy efforts, as well as how best to connect with LGBTQ+ refugee communities in East Africa. We will remain connected to the thriving network of local refugee resettlement initiatives to support resettlement in the DC area.

Why refugees?

Why LGBTQ+ refugees?

Why LGBTQ+ refugees from East Africa?

It is crucial to support LGBTQ+ refugees from East Africa due to their heightened vulnerability stemming from persecution and discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. These individuals face systemic marginalization and violence in their home countries, forcing them to flee in search of safety and acceptance.

Compounding their vulnerability, American-based advocacy groups promoting homophobic agendas exacerbate the hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in East Africa, fueling stigma and violence. This advocacy contributes to a lack of legal protections and societal support, leaving LGBTQ+ refugees from East Africa especially underserved within the international refugee and asylum framework.

By providing support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ refugees from East Africa, we can help address their unique challenges, including access to safe shelter, healthcare, legal assistance, and social inclusion. It is essential to prioritize their protection and ensure their rights are upheld, fostering environments of acceptance and dignity for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

East Africa: When we refer to “East Africa” we are broadly referring to the countries of Djibouti, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.