Tessera

🎉We have fantastic news - a trans woman from Namibia who we supported has been granted refugee status in the UK! 🏳️‍⚧️ 💖We are very happy for her, and wish her all the best in this next chapter. #GoodNews #GoodNewsFriday #LGBT

a black woman with long braids at the dinner table

Our new substack article is out today! buff.ly/57jLTuB We are exploring the fight, joy, and exhaustion in feeling disabled and/or d/Deaf and proud.

JP (they/them) is a queer performer and wheelchair user originally from Puerto Rico. They are facing away from the camera, outside on a street. Text reads: LGBTQI+, disabled and proud. "This is a vision of disability flourishing as queer worldbuilding" J.Logan Smilges

Photo of a white visually impaired man with long hair and a mobility aid in bottom right corner.

Text reads: People are disabled by the barriers operating in society that exclude and discriminate against them. In the past we have also written about how the asylum system itself is disabling.

For people who are LGBTQI+, disabled, and navigating the asylum system, these overlapping realities create complex, intersecting barriers to ‘feeling pride’.

Photo of two people smiling with their eyes closed in the sunshine. On the left is a young Latino woman who is a wheelchair user, and on the right a young Asian man.

Text reads: Yet we hope to offer space to, as J.Logan Smilges writes: “feel pride when we can, feel sad when we can’t, fight how we’re able, resting when we’re not, and pour ourselves into one another whenever we get the chance”.
Read the full piece on our Substack now

Instead of continuing to punish marginalised communities this government should take a more humane and caring approach. One that enables people seeking asylum to rebuild their lives in safety here and ensures trans people can live free from discrimination and fear.

photo a young white woman and young black man sat on a wall. Text reads: New Prime Minister: It's time for a meaningful shift in course

We support LGBTQI+ people through the UK asylum and immigration system, and campaign for a more compassionate asylum system. If you've recently started following us, welcome - Sign up to our newsletter to get monthly updates on what we do and how you can help: buff.ly/bMTbwED

Photo of young black woman smiling. Text reads: new here? Hi and welcome! Our vision is world where LGBTQI+ people can settle safely in the UK and lead fulfilling lives

Our vision for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum... A world where LGBTQI+ people can settle safely in the UK and lead fulfilling lives

Act now: oppose the expansion of Campsfield❗️ buff.ly/AEpMbRT ⬅️ Use this handy guide co-produced by @closecampsfield.bsky.social and @right-to-remain.bsky.social Take action before the 24 July by writing to the Planning Inspectorate and objecting to the proposed expansion.

3 reasons why support groups for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum are so important 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

1
A lack of inclusive and welcoming spaces for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum negatively affects people’s mental health
Olu, a lesbian from Nigeria: “At one point the Home Office put me in accommodation in a remote location, where there were no LGBTQI+ services or activities.”

2
It can be life-changing to finally see yourself reflected in other people’s stories or journeys and realise you are not alone.
Sam, a trans man from the Middle East: “I got to know people, to come out, to have the space to talk comfortably. Our journey together was amazing – they are happy for you, you feel happy for them.”

3
“There’s a triple sense of exclusion; we’re excluded from our home countries, excluded from migrant communities in our new country, and are also very hidden in queer spaces.”
Very few services understand the unique needs of queer people seeking asylum.

International Non-Binary People’s Day (14 July) is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the issues faced by non-binary people across the world. Get in touch if you are an non-binary person and seeking asylum in the UK based on your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Photo of person holding up non-binary flag.
Text reads: “It is very difficult to go through asylum and live in these places as a non-binary person.”

Photo of person holding up non-binary flag.
Text reads: “It’s so hard to seek asylum – then it’s so hard to start your new life once you get granted refugee status. I can’t explain how difficult it is, especially when you are LGBTQI+.”

Photo of person holding up non-binary flag.
Text reads: “Accommodation is still a challenge. Throughout the whole process I have been moved around to lots of places which aren’t safe. Since I have been granted status, I have been homeless on several occasions, with no options for safe accommodation at all.”

Our legal advice service will be paused from 13 July (today) and will resume on 10 August 2026. Urgent cases: If you have an upcoming substantive asylum interview, appeal deadline, are detained or have received a removal notice, please contact us using our contact form buff.ly/zk4vDmW

A Chinese-American trans-femme person standing outside looking at the camera. Text reads: 'Please note: Our legal advice service is paused from
13 July until 10 August. During this time, we can only respond to urgent cases.'

@rainbowmigration.bsky.social · 4w ago

“For years, I learnt to disappear. Now I am learning to exist without fear" writes an anonymous gay Colombian. Read his story on our website now: buff.ly/K5ZexNJ

Photo of gay couple smiling in a loving moment.
Text reads: “Today I have a boyfriend. And although for many people that may seem like a simple thing, for me it represents a freedom that for years I thought I would never have.”
The story of a gay man from Colombia

“Today, I still carry many of those experiences with me. But I also carry resilience, creativity and hope. Sharing my story is not about presenting myself as a victim. It is about showing the reality that many LGBTQ+ people still face behind closed doors, often in the name of religion, family or morality.

For years, I learnt to disappear.
Now I am learning to exist without fear.”

“In 2024, Colombia attempted to pass a law banning conversion therapy, but the proposal did not succeed. For many LGBTQ+ people, these experiences continue to exist hidden behind religion, family expectations and silence.”

🎉We have fantastic news - a bisexual person from Zimbabwe who we supported has been granted refugee status in the UK! 🏳️‍🌈 💖We are very happy for them, and wish them all the best in this next chapter. #GoodNews #GoodNewsFriday #LGBT

@rainbowmigration.bsky.social · 4w ago

“£36 a week in London and they think I can have an expensive gay lifestyle?! I have to buy groceries! And what about the introverted people, am I not gay because I don’t want to go to nightclubs?” Bahiru, a gay man from Ethiopia

Photo of queer Black man with white braids looking at the camera.
Title reads: Did you know these 3 facts about how LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum are forced to 'prove' their sexuality and gender identity?
Rainbow Migration and Bird & Blend logos in bottom left corner.

1: People who do not have sexual or romantic histories are often not believed, but many hide their identity to stay safe from abuse or violence.
“All I had was myself and my sexuality, but they said that wasn’t enough.” Adam, a bisexual man from Ghana

2: The asylum system forces people to provide evidence of their past sexual history, relationships, emotions and potential trauma.
Marina, a lesbian from Cameroon, found the process of having to ‘prove’ her sexual orientation very difficult: “It’s like trying to prove that I am called my own name”

3: Whilst claiming asylum, many people are met with prejudice and Western stereotypes, or disbelief of sexual orientation.
“I had scars and plasters from the violent attacks back home, but still the Home Office didn’t believe I was a lesbian.“ Olu, a lesbian from Nigeria

Photos from our banner-making workshop with our support groups for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum ❤️💛💚💙💜

Group of LGBTQI+ people holding handmade Pride banners

We're here and we're queer handmade banner

Fabric banner with a heart and the words 'Gay okay'

Person painting a fabric banner that says 'Love always wins the match'

🎉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. #GoodNews #GoodNewsFriday #LGBT

A gay man from Pakistan has been granted refugee status in the UK

Rainbow Migration is proud to be Bird & Blend’s ChariTEA of the Quarter 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫖 Over the next 3 months, all of the profits from the online sales of Fruits of the Forage go straight to Rainbow Migration, to support LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution.

A black woman holding a handmade placard that says 'Be Your Self'. Text above reads: Rainbow Migration is proud to be Bird & Blend’s ChariTEA of the Quarter

A group photo of people at Pride.
Text reads: You can support Rainbow Migration with a cup of Fruits of the Forage! So, how do Rainbow Migration support LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system?

White and blue colour palette, reads: They provide free and confidential specialist legal information for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in the UK.
“If I hadn’t found Rainbow Migration, I don’t think I would have found a lawyer and I’m not sure that I would have been prepared for the asylum process.” Jalal, a gay man from Morocco
Pride flag emoji at bottom of graphic

A photo of two people holding hands whilst sat on a picnic blanket.
Text reads: Rainbow Migration provides practical and emotional support for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum to help access healthcare and housing.
They also facilitate regular support groups and wellbeing activities so LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum can feel less isolated and build community.

The anti-asylum bill laid before Parliament today represents yet another example of performative cruelty. Rather than fixing a system that is already failing, this bill punishes people who have fled danger and are trying to rebuild their lives in safety. Read full statement: buff.ly/yba1ACS

More performative cruelty instead of humanity from this government: Asylum seekers to pay £10,000 towards living costs under new UK law

On Tuesday 9 June, 6 members of staff at Rainbow Migration took part in the 2026 London Legal Walk. Read more about the impact of the lack of availability of immigration advice under the legal aid scheme for the LGBTQI+ people that we support in our NEW legal blog: buff.ly/tAMcxVv

How is the asylum system is influenced by colonialism? We’ve commissioned a new article by Sharan Dhaliwal exploring this. You can read the full article on the OpenDemocracy website now:

The UK asylum system is a form of neo-colonialism

Our hostile immigration system forces traumatised queer migrants to perform rigid, Westernised scripts for safety

buff.ly

🎉We have fantastic news - a lesbian woman from Nigeria who we supported has been granted refugee status in the UK! 🏳️‍🌈 💖We are very happy for her, and wish her all the best in this next chapter. #GoodNews #GoodNewsFriday #LGBT

We are almost halfway there - help us reach our target! bit.ly/43g5oVO Your donation will help LGBTQI+ people to settle safely in the UK.

@rainbowmigration.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Last few days before the deadline for Policy and Public Affairs Manager applications on Friday morning www.rainbowmigration.org.uk/news/we-are-...

We are recruiting a Policy and Public Affairs Manager who will lead on developing our policy positions and engaging with parliament and government. Closing date: 9.30 am on Friday 26 June Please see our Policy and Public Affairs Manager recruitment pack for full details. buff.ly/srf4bno

Photo of middle aged brown butch woman wearing all black and a neckerchief. Text reads: join our team! We are hiring a policy and public affairs manager.

In this newly commissioned article, Ayman writes about how prolonged asylum processes, poverty, and anti-immigration, transphobic and homophobic rhetoric are contributing to a mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ refugees, for @bigissue.com Read here: buff.ly/4Z2ZT4r #Pride2026 #RefugeeWeek

Photo of Ukranian trans non-binary person holding a homemade cardboard placard that says "Support Queer Refugees" and a trans flag.
Text reads: This Pride we must fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers