LGBTQ+ Refugees
How to Support Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Newcomers: This blog post reviews some common support needs of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) newcomers and discusses how you can be an affirming provider. It addresses client needs related to health, welcoming, and social services, and provides detailed information on legal concerns.
Safeguarding Identity and Addressing the Legal Needs of LGBTQ+ Newcomers: This blog post from Oasis Legal Services addresses key legal concerns for LGBTQ+ newcomers. It covers topics such as confidentiality, document updates, and referral strategies to help service providers better support LGBTQ+ clients.
Welcoming LGBTQ+ Newcomers: Practical Tools and Tips: This blog post offers a deep dive into promoting feelings of welcoming and belonging, cultivating intersectional and trauma-informed practices, and building partnership and organizational capacity to serve LGTBQ+ newcomers
Creating Inclusive Spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community in Newcomer Services: This recorded webinar will explore and address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with fostering inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals in newcomer services contexts. Participants will learn best practices for communication strategies, confidentiality considerations, and the nuances of belonging for LGBTQ+ newcomers within their families, ethnic communities, and new local communities.
Rainbow Response: A Guide for Resettling LBGTQ Refugees and Asylees: A guide created by the Administration for Children and Families and Heartland Alliance to assist with resettling LBGTQ+ refugees and asylees.
LGBTQ+ Immigrants: Identity and Rights: This resource from USAHello helps with understanding identities, outlining rights and finding support in the United States.
Tip Sheet: Working with Families of LBGTQ+ Youth: This one-page resource offers recommendations no how to work inside an agency and connect with families to provide adequate support.
Proud to Welcome All: Community Education About LGBTQ+ Newcomers at Pride and World Refugee Day Events: This blog post from Switchboard TA emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices and community events to foster a welcoming community. It also offers event suggestions and outreach material templates, so you don't have to start from scratch.
Pride: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Refugees Around the World: Hear the resilient voices and stories of six LGBTQIA+ refugees striving to make a positive change in their communities.
Understanding and Serving LGBTQ+ Newcomers: This recorded Switchboard webinar introduces terms and concepts to help participants more effectively support and advocate for LGBTQ+ clients, using case scenarios and a panel discussion with resettlement and immigration service providers who have firsthand experience as LGBTQ+ newcomers.
LGBTIQ+ Refugees Need inclusion, Fulsome Support: This story from UNHCR reflects on the struggle faced by people who are forced to flee persecution, harm and discrimination simply because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Navigating LGBTQIA+ Refugee Support: This recorded webinar provides an overview of current language and terminology used when speaking about LGBTQIA+ communities followed by a deeper dive into best practices for practitioners, case workers, and organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ refugees.
Meet four transgender individuals who are striving to empower displaced LGBTIQ+ people in their communities: Based in Honduras, the LGBTIQ+ Committee of Valle de Sula designs protective measures for LGBTIQ+ individuals and implements advocacy and awareness campaigns to address the challenges faced by forcibly displaced individuals.
Three books by displaced LGBTIQ+ authors to read this Pride: This book list can help educate on the intersection between the LGBTQ+ and refugee community.
LGBTIQ+ refugees need inclusion, fulsome support: This story from UNHCR reflects on the struggle faced by people who are forced to flee persecution, harm and discrimination simply because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBTQ2I+ Newcomers Critical Issues: This course, developed by AMSSA, provides an in-depth exploration of critical issues faced by LGBTQ2I+ newcomers. Learners will understand the unique issues LGBTQ newcomers face and gain insight on promising practices for serving this community.
InReach operates a website and app that matches LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants with safe, verified, LGBTQ+ friendly resources. Resources include, but are not limited to housing, legal, health, and community support. Information is available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, Russian and Arabic.
Podcast: Serving LGBTQ+ Newcomers: This episode of the Switchboard podcast features Carissa Chantiles and Abby Davies from InReach, the world's first tech platform matching LGBTQ+ people facing discrimination and persecution with safe, verified resources. The conversation includes information on ways to support LGBTQ+ newcomers, ideas for expanding the landscape of services for the community, and tips on how service providers can become more inclusive in their day-to-day work.
Evidence Summary: What works to support LGBTQ refugees? This document summarizes the state of available evidence regarding practices and programs for LGBTQ refugees. Understanding what works to address the needs of this population is important because LGBTQ refugees often lack the support networks that other refugees rely on.
Stories of LGBTQ+ Refugees Giving Back to Their Community: Many individuals seek refugee status based on fear of persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In many countries, same-sex relationships are criminalized and sometimes even punishable by death. LGBTQ+ refugees frequently face risks in their home country, and even if they flee, they are often met with challenges along their journey. UNHCR works to keep LGBTQ+ refugees safe through inclusive programming, operating with external partners to provide support, safe spaces and identifying solutions.
Resource Round-Up: Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Clients: In recognition of Pride, Switchboard has compiled this resource round-up. It includes materials designed for organizations and case managers serving LGBTQ+ clients, including how to create welcoming environments, ensure use of inclusive language, and address the unique needs of this population.
Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQI+ Clients. This list of resources features materials designed for organizations and case managers serving LGBTQI+ clients, including how to create welcoming environments, ensure use of inclusive language, and address the unique needs of this population.
The Global Roundtable on LGBTIQ+ Persons in Forced Displacement and Statelessness
Rainbow Response: A Practical Guide to Resettling LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylees
LGBTQI+ Refugee Resettlement Guidelines and Agency Self-Assessment
A Rainbow Retrospective: Reflecting on Best Practices and Successes From the Field
A Religious Call to Action: Supporting LGBT Refugees within Communities of Faith
In Our Voices: The Journeys of LGBT Refugees and Asylees
Evidence Summary: A summary of the available evidence on practices and programs for LGBTQI+ refugees who often lack the support networks that other refugees rely on. Click here to read more