@rainbowmigration.bsky.social

We support LGBTQI+ people through the UK asylum and immigration system.

Are you a photographer? Get in touch! 🌟 We have a paid photoshoot opportunity - send us a DM with some examples of your work if you're interested.🏳️‍🌈

BildBild

🏳️‍⚧️We have spaces available in our Trans & Non-Binary Support Group. If you are seeking asylum in the UK, speak English, and live within travelling distance of central London - then please fill in our contact form and the support group organiser will be in touch: buff.ly/qYvmfWC

A smiling butch person is in the foreground, with a femme Black person blurred in the background

More people than ever before are coming to us for advice and support. Become a monthly donor to support people seeking asylum in the UK and campaign for a kinder asylum system. 🏳️‍🌈 Set up a donation today and you'll get a FREE Bird & Blend tea bundle as a thank you: buff.ly/2smHKiD

BildBildBild

Sharing stories of 3 LGBTQI+ people from Malaysia - inspired by the theme of this year's East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month - “Evolving Threads”.

Our legal advice service will be paused from 31 August and will resume on 21 September. During this period, we can only respond to urgent cases. If you have an upcoming substantive asylum interview, appeal deadline, are detained or have received a removal notice, please contact us: buff.ly/798Coxm

Bild

If you become our supporter on easyfundraising, you'll raise free funds for Rainbow Migration simply by shopping online. And if 10 new supporters join by Sunday 6th September, Rainbow Migration will unlock a bonus £10 donation! It only takes a moment and it's completely free: buff.ly/QhoOnwo

Bild

Please note that Rainbow Migration does not offer legal representation – we can only provide legal advice and support on LGBTQI+ people’s asylum cases. But we understand that the whole process of finding a lawyer can seem overwhelming and challenging. More guidance on our website: buff.ly/tzdnyPJ

A person with dyed red curly hair wearing a headscarf and smiling into the middle distance. Text reads: "What do I need to tell a lawyer when asking for help with my asylum case as an LGBTQI+ person?"BildBild

Our support groups at Margate Pride 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 "I loved Margate Pride, the humour from everyone around us, the lovely atmosphere, and then that mesmerising sunset at the end of the day… None of this would have happened without the support, love, and kindness of Rainbow Migration."

Group of queer people holding a large banner and smiling in the sunPhoto of the beach front with crowd of queer peoplePeople holding a banner and handmade placards, including ones that say 'we're here and we're queer' and 'i'm very proud of myself'

We have fantastic news - a gay man from Pakistan who we supported has been granted refugee status in the UK! 🏳️‍🌈 💖We are very happy for him, and wish him all the best in this next chapter. Get support from us if you’re LGBTQI+ and seeking asylum: buff.ly/ofz8phx

Photo of Pakistani man looking away from the camera. Text reads: “When I reached out to Rainbow Migration’s legal team, I finally felt that someone listened to me and understood my situation. Because of your advice and support, I was able to explain the truth clearly and confidently... 
I finally felt able to breathe freely and feel safe.”

Read Sam's blog where he shares what worked for him whilst claiming asylum: buff.ly/tozVLpf Like many other people seeking asylum Sam found the process of claiming asylum and waiting for decisions difficult and emotionally intense. This is his advice for other LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Photo of a crowd of smiling queer people, including Sam. Text reads: “Don’t give up. Keep going. Everything takes time. Take it step by step.”

Want something meaningful to add to your morning routine? Why not spend 5 minutes reading one of our Substack articles? buff.ly/kuYp4TV Always intersectional, and always centring LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum. *Cups of tea also allowed

BildBild

📢 ‼️ As reported by DIVA magazine: We’re deeply worried that a change the Home Office is bringing in today (3 August) will make it even easier to wrongly refuse asylum claims from LGBTQI+ people and send them back to danger. Read more: buff.ly/QDUj3pn

Photo of black woman looking out of the window. Text reads: Concerns for LGBTQIA+ people after changes made to Home Office asylum interviewsAt the moment, people going through the asylum system have two separate interviews; a shorter screening interview to collect basic details, and a longer substantive one where they have an opportunity to explain in depth why they need protection.
From today, in some instances the Home Office plans to combine these two interviews, leaving people with fewer chances to explain their asylum claim before a decision is made. This risks more people, including LGBTQI+ people, being returned to countries where they face serious danger.At Rainbow Migration we are very concerned about this change.

Asylum decisions around LGBTQI+ asylum decisions continue to be plagued by irrational reasoning, factual error, unfairness, Western stereotypical expectations and disbelief. 

We are also increasingly seeing decisions being made rapidly, and in some cases before the deadline to submit any evidence has passed.We are calling on this government to pause this change and consult with organisations and people who have experience of applying for asylum to ensure people seeking safety here are not denied a fair chance to explain their need for protection. 
“I had scars and plasters from the violent attacks back home, but still the Home Office didn’t believe I was a lesbian”
A lesbian woman from Nigeria

At Rainbow Migration we provide practical and emotional support for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum. If you're LGBTQI+ and seeking asylum, get in touch with us if you are feeling isolated or need support with housing or healthcare: buff.ly/j3IxQyl

Bild

3 challenges LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in the UK have when accessing mental health care 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ 1 - Inadequate mental health support 2 - Fear of discrimination 3 - Impact of anti-migrant rhetoric

BildBildBildBild

75 years ago, the world made a promise. The Refugee Convention was created in the aftermath of war to ensure that people fleeing persecution could find protection, safety, and dignity. For 75 years, it has saved lives across the world. Today, this promise is under attack. 1/3

Bild

✨️Why not take a few minutes to read Ayman's article today? Ayman writes in The Big Issue about how prolonged asylum processes, poverty, and anti-immigration, transphobic and homophobic rhetoric are contributing to a mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ refugees. Find the full article:

This Pride we must fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers - Rainbow Migration

A new article exploring how prolonged asylum processes, poverty, and anti-immigration and homophobic rhetoric are contributing to a mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ refugees.

buff.ly