Rainbow Railroad

Al Otro Lado (AOL) is a dedicated advocacy, legal, and humanitarian relief organization founded by women to support migrants, refugees, and deportees in the U.S. and Mexico. Since its establishment in 2011 as a volunteer-run initiative, AOL has been a vital support system for many, offering free legal clinics in Tijuana for deportees and expanding its services to defend the rights of asylum seekers whose federal and international protections were being compromised. When Customs and Border Protection began turning away asylum seekers from U.S. ports of entry in 2016, AOL stepped up its efforts, providing "Know Your Rights" resources and hosting seminars to educate those at risk. The organization’s partnership with Rainbow Railroad began in 2019 when they collaborated on aiding LGBTQI+ asylum seekers trapped in perilous conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border. This partnership, supported by the Canadian government, culminated with the launch of a pilot program in 2021 to offer resettlement options in Argentina. Over the past two years, Rainbow Railroad has been instrumental in supporting AOL’s LGBTQI+ program by funding essential services such as safe transportation, medication access, emergency housing, translation of rights materials, and LGBTQI+ shelter support. Learn more about AOL’s work here: https://lnkd.in/g4upwi7T

Do you want to learn more about the movement to support LGBTQI+ newcomers in the United States? This Saturday, attend a virtual drop-in session to learn more about Communities of Care, an initiative designed to provide LGBTQI+ refugees with the support and resources they need to successfully rebuild their lives in safer environments in the United States. The session will take place at 10 am PT/1 pm ET. Join Rainbow Railroad staff, a Community of Care group lead, and one of our newcomers to learn more about the importance of this program, and how you can get involved. Communities of Care is an opportunity for LGBTQI+ people and allies across the United States  to live their values of global community, by welcoming our queer siblings and supporting them in building new lives in safety and affirmation. Register to attend the session here: https://bit.ly/RR-DropIn

📣 📣 Calling on our LA community: Are you interested in being part of a movement to welcome LGBTQI+ newcomers in the Los Angeles area? Rainbow Railroad’s Communities of Care initiative is designed to provide LGBTQI+ refugees with the support and resources they need to successfully rebuild their lives in safer environments. We are urgently seeking volunteers who want to be a part of this movement! As Rainbow Railroad looks to expand this initiative to Los Angeles, we need your help to form a vibrant network of Communities of Care that can welcome and support LGBTQI+ refugees for the first 90 days after their arrival. No experience is required to form a Community of Care, and Rainbow Railroad will support you every step of the way. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gFEckMme, or email [email protected].

Relocating 434 LGBTQI+ individuals from 34 countries through Emergency Travel Support in 2023 was a significant achievement, but the stories of those who have resettled reveal the ongoing challenges they face. Read more to understand the post-relocation experiences of individuals we’ve supported. Collective action is needed to create home and belonging for LGBTQI+ refugees. https://lnkd.in/gVnspf2y

LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers urgently need your support. With over 60 countries enforcing anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and the rise of far-right extremists all over the world, this is an especially dangerous time to be a queer or trans refugee. To help relocate over 200 displaced LGBTQI+ individuals and prepare for the next emergency, we are launching the Emergency Response Fund to meet this moment head-on. The Emergency Response Fund will help us prepare and respond quickly in this time of crisis for the rapidly increasing number of at risk LGBTQI+ people who need our help. And we can’t do it without you. When you act before August 31, you’ll DOUBLE your support up to $35,000, thanks to matching funds generously provided. Donate today at https://lnkd.in/gSECwCtN.

Derechos Humanos y Diversidad Asociacion Civil (DHD) was established in 2022, bringing together a group of Argentine LGBTQI+ activists with experience working with displaced people. Argentina had a noticeable lack of groups committed to assisting LGBTQI+ displaced individuals with their assimilation. In response, DHD opened The Service Center for LGBTQI+ Asylum Seekers and Refugees in February 2023 to address the unique needs of LGBTQI+ individuals seeking refuge and provide support services tailored to promoting the integration and well-being of LGBTQI+ refugees in Argentina such as immigration advice and psychological support. This historic milestone was made possible with the support of Rainbow Railroad and the Buenos Aires city government. Mariano Ruiz, president and founder of DHD, has been a partner of Rainbow Railroad since 2017. Mariano envisions a future in which governments acknowledge migration “as a fundamental human right, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression”. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gfu2R-aa

President Biden must continue to welcome refugees into the United States. Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) and its members ask the Biden administration to commit resources to four key areas: 1. Doubling the Reception & Placement Direct Assistance and Administrative Per Capita funding. 2. Expanding national, state, and local housing policy solutions for refugees and newcomers to improve access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. 3. Continuing to facilitate interagency coordination, including a focus on domestic capacity, improving access to health clinics, and processing of employment authorization and Social Security enrollment. 4. Continuing to invest political will in refugee processing improvements and program innovations, while upholding principles of equity, additionality, and high standards of care. Let’s honor the US legacy as a country of refuge and welcome people seeking safety. Read more: https://lnkd.in/edWxtPqC   #RefugeesWelcome

Rainbow Railroad’s work embodies a V-I-T-A-L approach. We verify each case thoroughly, identify safe travel routes, and facilitate travel to safer countries. We advocate for flexible pathways with governments around the world, and partner with organizations doing critical work on the ground. We also strive to continuously improve our services to better meet the needs of LGBTQI+ refugees. Discover more about this multifaceted approach in our 2023 Annual Report: Understanding the State of Global LGBTQI+ Persecution. https://lnkd.in/epZkw-Ef

It’s We Are All America’s National Refugee #AdvocacyDays24! This week, hundreds of advocates and refugee leaders across the country are meeting with their members of Congress in home states and urging them to #ProtectNewcomers. We know that #AdvocacyWorks because it ensures that the voices of those with lived experience are heard, driving meaningful change, and creating a more inclusive and welcoming society.

There is an alarming global trend of governments targeting LGBTQI+ communities through legal and political measures, as written by Jessica Stern, the U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, and Suzanne B. Goldberg, the senior advisor to the U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. “Now more than ever, the United States needs to push back against foreign-government repression of LGBTQI+ rights.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizes, protecting these rights “helps strengthen democracy, bolster national security, and promote global health and economic development.” Leaders in countries such as Hungary, Iraq, Georgia, and Uganda have used anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and laws to divert attention away from more serious societal challenges in an effort to solidify political power. As Secretary Blinken notes, it is imperative that the United States firmly resist these acts both domestically and globally in order to uphold global stability and strengthen democracy. Read more of this op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/gj2sYiX3