Rainbow Welcome

ended

Because LGBTQI+phobia still exists, causing both physical and psychological violence, LGBTQI+ people face discrimination and isolation. When these violence can imply (sometimes legally) death, imprisonment or social exclusion in countries around the world, LGBTQI+ people might have to leave their home country and ask for asylum elsewhere, where they think life could be better for them. A status that often implies other discriminations and prejudices. This project aims to deal with this population at the intersection of two factors: being on the LGBTQI+ spectrum and being a an asylum seeker or refugee. Why? Because in the EU, specialized institution focusing on only one of these populations are not trained for the intersectional approach needed. Refugees' reception centres do not always have the knowledge and capacities to welcome safely LGBTQI+ refugees whereas LGBTQI+ shelters are not specialized to support refugees and their specifics needs. Therefore, the project “Rainbow Welcome” aims to : • Identify legal and on-the-ground procedures and offers dealing with welcoming LGBTQI+ refugees; • Identify strengths and weaknesses when answering LGBTQI+ refugees needs; • Equip LGBTQI+ shelters and associations as well as refugees' reception centres and public authorities on how to welcome, orientate and answer the needs of LGBTQI+ refugees; • Raise awareness about the situation of LGBTQI+ refugees; • Advocate for LGBTQI+ refugees rights and needs towards the EU.