Around the world LGBTQI people continue to face oppression; in almost 70 countries there are laws that criminalize same sex intimacy and discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In eight countries same sex intimacy is punishable by death.
The criminalization of the LGBTQI community puts many people in danger. They are rejected by their families, evicted from their homes, persecuted by their community and targeted by police. The result is a reality where lesbians experience sexual violence, trans people cannot live as their authentic selves and gay men are targets of state sponsored campaigns to entrap and torture them.
The global refugee crisis is exasperating the plight of LGBTQI people worldwide. According to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, there are now over 70 million displaced people in the world – the largest number since the Second World War.
Rainbow Railroad exists to provide a solution to this problem. Our ultimate goal is a world free of persecution, and we stand in solidarity with activists and organizations working towards that goal. However, until that day comes, we need to be able to provide solutions for individuals facing imminent danger.
Rainbow Railroad provides support through 5 programs: - Support persecuted LGBTQI people through providing basic needs like shelter, food and clothing - Support our worldwide network of partner organizations defending LGBTQI people on the ground - Monitor and respond to state-led ‘crackdowns’ on LGBTQI people - Provide essential resources and counsel to at-risk individuals - Prepare private sponsorship applications for LGBTQI refugees
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