Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ refugees escape dangerous countries and resettle in safe places, now including the U.S.
MELISSA WHITLER | NBCU Fellow
Melissa@DallasVoice.com
This past November, Rainbow Railroad, partnering with Welcome Corps, placed its first queer-identified refugee in the United States. Founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad started as a volunteer run organization to address the violence and criminalization LGBTQ people face all over the world. The organization started with resettlements in Canada and has since expanded to place people in more than 20 different countries.
In order to connect with individuals located in other countries, Rainbow Railroad works with local governments, grassroot networks and resettlement organizations.
Most of the refugees they place are relocated alone, so Rainbow Railroad works to create for them an environment of support in their new communities.
Moving to a new country is incredibly daunting, especially if you don’t know anyone. Rainbow Railroad works to help with reintegration as well resettlement, which has spurred its partnership with the US Welcome Corps Program.
Welcome Corps was launched by the federal government in 2023 as a way for Americans to support refugees relocating into their communities. This new program works with private sponsorships and calls on individuals in the community to play a greater role in supporting refugees.
With many members of the international LGBTQ community seeking to flee to the U.S., Rainbow Railroad wanted to ensure they weren’t left behind in government policies. The beauty of the Welcome Corps program is that folks don’t have to worry about the challenges of seeking asylum. And in addition to finding safety, these refugees are also offered post-relocation support.
For those who are looking for assistance from Rainbow Railroad, the process begins with the online intake form. This allows the organization to learn more about the individual’s circumstance and start referring them to resources in their home country.
Rainbow Railroad assesses what is the best course of action in each particular case, as travel can be limited by access to passports and visas.
What country one is trying to leave is also taken into consideration. Sometimes someone can be internally relocated and doesn’t have to move to a new country.
Otherwise, refugees are relocated primarily to Europe and North America.
The first LGBTQ refugee placed by Welcome Corps arrived in D.C. back on Nov. 16. The community there has been very supportive, and the newcomer is flourishing.
Latoya Nugent, head of engagement at Rainbow Railroad, remarks how this is a testament to what the LGBTQ community can do when we stand in solidarity.
“The community of care has been really remarkable,” Nugent commented. “People have rallied around folks, and it has been transformative for the volunteers.”
Nugent explained that almost every time there is a geopolitical crisis, Rainbow Railroad sees an increase in requests.
“Queer people are disproportionately affected and displaced,” she said. “For example, when the Ugandan government passed the anti-homosexuality bill, we saw a spike in requests.”
Rainbow Railroad wants to ensure governments and international aid organizations don’t forget LGBTQ people and their needs.
For those looking to get involved and support, the most critical need is time and money. It takes a minimum of five people each dedicating a couple hours a week to sponsor one refugee. Nugent described the transformative impact this has.
“For the first time in our history we are able to rally the LGBTQ community outside of fundraising,” Nugent said.
For the people fleeing their home countries, an LGBTQ community is one of the biggest things they are looking for. This kind of program ensures there is already a group of people waiting to support the refugees before they even arrive. The more people who show interest in the Welcome Corps program means that more refugees can be brought to the U.S. and live out and proud.
“We are committed to global queer liberation,” Nugent concluded. “Our goal is to co-create a world where LGBTQ people can live, work and play with pride.”
For more information visit RainbowRailroad.org or email community@rainbowrailroad.org.