Why?
- Because LGBTIQ+phobia – intolerance towards people with SOGIE other than the norm – still exists, causing both physical and psychological violence, LGBTIQ+ people face discrimination and isolation.
When these acts of violence can imply (sometimes legally) death, imprisonment or social exclusion in countries around the world, LGBTIQ+ 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 LGBTIQ+ spectrum and being an asylum seeker or refugee.
- Why? Because in the EU, specialized institutions and refugees’ reception centres do not always have the knowledge and capacities to welcome safely LGBTIQ+ refugees whereas LGBTIQ+ shelters are not specialized to support refugees and their specifics needs.
By whom?
This transnational project gathers actors on the field and experts:
- In Belgium, PLS and Le Refuge Bruxelles/Het Opvanghuis Brussel
- In Spain, ACATHI
- In France, Le Refuge
- In Italy, la Croce Rossa Italiana
How?
Co-funded by the European Program Right, Equality and Citizenship (2014-2020), the project “Rainbow Welcome” aims to :
- Identify legal and on-the-ground procedures and offers dealing with welcoming LGBTIQ+ refugees;
- Identify strengths and weaknesses when answering LGBTIQ+ refugees needs;
- Equip LGBTIQ+ shelters and associations as well as refugees’ reception centres and public authorities on how to welcome, orientate and answer the needs of LGBTIQ+ refugees;
- Raise awareness about the situation of LGBTIQ+ refugees;
- Advocate for LGBTIQ+ refugees rights and needs towards the EU.
RainboW is a project rooted in today’s realities: it is essential to understand the phenomena of intersectionality that lead to the increased vulnerabilisation of some people. RainboW is the ambition to work together to build a more welcoming and inclusive society.
