Rainbow Railroad

To date this year, Rainbow Railroad has resettled 23 LGBTQI+ refugees through Welcome Corps, a US government program that empowers everyday Americans to welcome LGBTQI+ refugees into their community. “I lived with constant fear, even more so at night. I didn’t like to go out. I was really scared that somebody would find me alone and do something,” said Julieth Luna Garcia, a trans woman from El Salvador who resettled in Chicago earlier this year. “Here, I’m not scared to say who I am. I’m not scared to tell anyone.” Welcome Corps, along with other pathways to resettle LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers in the United States, may be at risk in the upcoming election. Read the full story in AP News: https://lnkd.in/gMkUKrfZ To learn more about how you can support a LGBTQI+ newcomer in your community, visit the “Volunteer with Us” section of our website. 

LGBTQI+ History is Happening Now. As queer and trans rights face alarming rollbacks and crackdowns around the world, our community is being targeted. This is not just a moment in time, it's a call to action. We must come together, stand in solidarity, and fight for our community. The future of our rights depends on what we do today, in response to threats that the LGBTQI+ community is facing worldwide. October is LGBTQI+ History Month. Although progress is being made every day, there has been a recent, disturbing trend of regression on LGBTQI+ rights. We are experiencing a high volume of requests for help from queer and trans people at risk around the world, and we need your help to respond. Be a part of LGBTQI+ history by supporting our vital work today. Donate by visiting https://lnkd.in/g3fEPD5H

Due to an epidemic of homicides and violence against LGBTQI+ populations in Central America, the phenomenon of LGBTQI+ migration has become more visible. IRCA CASABIERTA was founded in 2013 with a mission to protect and support forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ human rights defenders who arrived in Costa Rica. The organization learned about Rainbow Railroad from social networks. Rainbow Railroad supported IRCA CASABIERTA in 2021 and 2023; this support enabled them to meet the basic needs of 1,755 LGBTQI+ refugees and migrants who arrived in Costa Rica. To read more about their work, visit https://lnkd.in/g9um6zZ8

This fall, Rainbow Railroad will be hosting an exhibit as part of Nuit Blanche Toronto, the city’s all-night celebration of contemporary art at 401 Richmond St W. Join us in person from October 5 at 7 pm to October 6 at 7 am at 401 Richmond St W to experience "From Persecution to Pride", an evocative photo exhibit that illuminates the fearless pursuit of Freedom, Liberation, and Self-actualization experienced by Queer and Trans Refugees and Asylum Seekers. This exhibit centers the multifaceted lives of globally displaced LGBTQI+ individuals assisted by Rainbow Railroad in relocating to safer countries. Join us in person on October 5 - no registration is required! Tag Rainbow Railroad and use the hashtag #rainbowrailroad when sharing your experience on social media. #401BuiltForArt #NBTO24

On October 11, Rainbow Railroad’s Senior Engagement Officer, Kendra Frith, will present at the In My Mind LGBTQIA+ Black and Peoples of Color Mental Health Conference. This year’s conference is grounded in the theme “Moving to Thriving and Belonging” - Migrant Communities’ Healing Journeys. Kendra’s talk, “The Journey to Find Home and Belonging: Navigating the Complex Journey of LGBTQI+ Asylum Seekers”, will explore the unique obstacles faced by LGBTQI+ asylum seekers on their pathways to safety. You can register for the conference, and learn more at https://lnkd.in/gQ6xEwxy. #ThrivingAndBelonging2024 #CommunityMovingForward

In recent days, political candidates and others have spread outrageously false and offensive claims that stigmatize the Haitian community. RCUSA denounces this hateful rhetoric targeting Haitian immigrants. Please see RCUSA's full statement: https://lnkd.in/eJFGXDGn

Washington, DC: You are invited to attend a Drop-In Session at St Thomas’ Episcopal Parish on Sunday, September 22 at 12:30pm to learn about Rainbow Railroad's Communities of Care, a program that welcomes LGBTQI+ refugees to the United States. Communities of Care are groups of five or more adults who work together to support a refugee for the first 90 days of their arrival in the United States. The team helps refugees access social and medical services, with financial assistance and guidance from Rainbow Railroad. Learn more about how you can form a Community of Care, and hear from those who have successfully partnered with a refugee to help them resettle in the United States. Join us on September 22 at 12:30 pm - registration is not required.

“As refugees, and especially as queer people of colour, the first question we often face during interviews is, ‘What is your Canadian work experience?’ This is a significant barrier to employment.” - D’John Campbell, QRI Program Participant This year we launched a Queer Refugee Internship Program (QRI) for refugees who have benefitted from our work and have an interest in contributing their lived expertise to the global forced displacement response. At the link below, D’John shares his experience as an intern with the Queer Refugee Internship Program at Rainbow Railroad. https://lnkd.in/gvZjVyMq

In 2023, a total of 1,682 people living in the United States reached out to Rainbow Railroad for assistance, amid a changing legislative context for LGBTQI+ Americans. Kathryn Hampton, Rainbow Railroad’s Senior Advisor, US Strategy, spoke to Newsweek about the increase in requests for help. The panic experienced by many queer and trans people in the U.S. underscores the need for more advocacy. The community is fighting back and we have witnessed the reversal of many anti-LGBTQI+ laws, and a successful mobilization effort led by Rainbow Railroad to galvanize the queer community to welcome resettled LGBTQI+ refugees in affirming cities and states. Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/dwuGryd4

Tickets are officially on sale for “When I Am Free”, our annual Chicago benefit concert in support of Rainbow Railroad, this time featuring one of Chicago’s most remarkable talents, the inimitable jazz artist Dee Alexander! A limited number of VIP tickets are also available, including exclusive VIP seating and other perks. The “When I Am Free” event also kicks off our annual “When I Am Free” fundraising campaign in Chicago, raising critical funds to help at-risk LGBTQI+ people around the world get to safety. Join us for “When I Am Free” on Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00 pm at the historic Jazz Showcase. Get your tickets today at the link below - before they sell out! https://lnkd.in/gptF8ATV