This article was originally published by Out Magazine. https://www.out.com/voices/russia-gay-couple-refugees

Tiffany’s story is one of those acts of courage. Growing up in Guyana, she faced relentless transphobia and violence simply for being herself. When coming out put her life in danger, she made the difficult decision to flee.

Today, in the United States, Tiffany is rebuilding her life with dignity and purpose. Her journey reminds us that coming out is not only personal; it’s political. It’s about claiming the right to exist without fear.

At Refuge America, we work every day to ensure that LGBTQ asylum seekers and refugees like Tiffany find more than safety. They find belonging. Through our Communities of Care initiative, we connect displaced LGBTQ people with housing, legal support, and community sponsors who welcome them home.

Welcomers 2025 reminded us that welcome is not just a word—it’s an action. Thank you to everyone who joined, supported, and shared in this vision. Together, we’re building a stronger, more compassionate nation for displaced LGBTQIA+ people.

Your presence and participation reaffirm that our work is not just about organizing, but about building lasting community, amplifying voices, and creating real impact for those seeking safety and dignity.

Refuge America’s Report on LGBTQI Refugees

This September, Refuge America joined global leaders at the United Nations in New York to mark its 80th anniversary. While the UN has long symbolized peace and human rights, this year’s high-level meetings highlighted a stark reality: the promise of refuge remains fragile, especially for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution.

Globally, 64 countries still criminalize same-sex relations, with 12 imposing the death penalty. Even in host countries, legal protections are uneven, leaving many refugees in precarious situations. Refuge must not depend on politics—it must be guaranteed as a permanent human right, supported by housing, legal aid, healthcare, and strong communities of welcome.

Refuge America called for durable, resilient systems that prioritize LGBTQI voices, while also expanding community sponsorship, advocacy, and infrastructure in the United States.

This summer, we were reminded how fragile the promise of safety is for LGBTQ refugees. Sal fled Pakistan after facing violence for being gay. He hoped the U.S. would be a place of refuge. Instead, he was detained by ICE and left in limbo for months. Only with community support did he finally win asylum—a rare outcome in a system stacked against people like him.

Today, the fight against refugees and the fight against LGBTQ people have become one. Far-right movements are merging xenophobia with homophobia and transphobia, making displaced queer people some of the most vulnerable in the world.

At Refuge America, we believe stories like Sal’s shine a light on resilience, but also on the urgent need to act. This fall, we’re inviting our community to stand with LGBTQ refugees and resource the fight for safety and dignity.

At Refuge America, we believe in the power of stories to shape communities, drive change, and uplift those who have faced displacement and hardship. This past World Refugee Day, we had the immense privilege of showcasing our community’s resilience and brilliance through an exhibition where storytelling and community came together to celebrate the refugee experience.

World Refugee Day is a significant time for us, a day dedicated to honoring the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of displaced people worldwide.

On the day of its independence, America chose a motto to show how proud it was of its diversity and welcome. Over the centuries “E Pluribus Unum” — “out of many, one” — has meant welcoming in tens of millions of the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

In a world where displacement is increasingly common, stories like those of Tiffany, Sal, Youssef, Noni, Nature Brian, and Pasha are not just narratives of personal achievement but calls to action for all of us to continue building a more inclusive and compassionate society.

The Refuge America Pride Exhibition in Washington, D.C. was a vibrant celebration of diversity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. The event brought together voices from different backgrounds, each sharing their unique experiences and perspectives.

Growing up in Uganda, Nature Brian always felt different, wondering if he was "born in the wrong body." When he asked his mom if he was a boy or a girl, she said, "You don’t have to choose. You go, my child. That's your nature!" Inspired by her words, he embraced the name "Nature Brian."

Nature Brian's journey from Uganda to Morgantown, West Virginia, reflects his profound connection with the natural world and his nurturing spirit. Despite facing significant obstacles as an LGBTQ+ individual, his commitment to environmental and social causes never wavered.

From creating safe spaces for fellow refugees in Kenya to advocating for conservation and LGBTQ+ rights in the US, Nature Brian is a beacon of resilience and advocacy.

Noni, Tiffany, Youssef amongst a group of LGBTQI+ displaced individuals profiled by Refuge America pride exhibition showcase in D.C. and New York.

The Pride Exhibition showcases the narratives of six LGBTQI+ individuals who fled their homes for the United States in search of safety. Their diverse identities and journeys from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Former Soviet Union reflect Refuge America's commitment to "strengthening America as a welcoming place for displaced LGBTQI+ people."

You may have seen her on top of the Brooklyn Museum at the end of the 2020 Brooklyn Liberation March. From the front page of the New York Times and across all of social media, Tiffany Jade Munroe was waving a flag for trans rights from the top of New York’s second largest museum. She’d come a long way.

"In my homeland, being LGBTQ meant hiding your true self to survive. America allows me to be Tiffany, unapologetically."

Sal's journey challenges America's 'melting pot' narrative, revealing nuanced battles for acceptance and identity faced by LGBTQ immigrants.

Sal Khan shares their journey as a child of partition, navigating the complexities of belonging, trauma, and self-discovery. As a secular Buddhist and nature worshipper, Sal finds solace in their spiritual beliefs amidst struggles with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Their story sheds light on the intersectionality of identity and the ongoing battle for acceptance.

Today, we're thrilled to share an inside look into the Refugee Sponsorship movement with Refuge America as we unveil the remarkable journey of Team Refugee 25. From pride to purpose, learn about community sponsorship, how a group is formed and the journey of welcoming a new refugee.

The group was led by Craig and supported by Frances, a longtime coordinator of volunteers. They said “our sponsorship group is a dynamic blend of individuals with diverse experiences, including a retired social worker, a licensed school counselor, a former refugee resettlement executive, and volunteers who have worked directly with refugee detainees.”

Together, we're committed to making a meaningful impact and creating a welcoming community for LGBTQ refugees. Join us in sponsoring LGBTQ refugees with Refuge America.

In a stirring display of solidarity and advocacy, the Dignity Not Detention Campaign kicked off its 2024 initiative with a community event on Tuesday, March 19th, from 6-8PM. Held in the heart of New York State, this event was more than just a gathering—it was a rallying cry for change, leveraging the power of storytelling to advocate for critical legislative reform.

At the heart of the event was the call to support the Dignity Not Detention (DND) Act (S306/A4354)—a crucial piece of legislation aimed at ending the inhumane practice of immigration detention in New York State.

Youssef Saleh grew up in the breathtaking landscapes between the Mediterranean and the Lebanese mountains. In America, he finds himself in calmer, but picturesque surroundings, with a community that embraces him.

It didn’t take Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” for Youssef Salah to know he was different, but hearing her lyrics gave him the words to explain himself.

Noni Salma's journey away from Lagos is a tapestry woven with many threads of identity. Now living in New York City as a trans woman and an immigrant from Nigeria, her story has unfolded as a quest for a home — both within herself and in a new land.

Noni's story is a love letter to New York. She lightheartedly suggests that she might even be a perfect fit for "I Love New York" ads, embodying the diverse spirit of the city she now calls home.

Pasha came from Kyrgyzstan. Political and family homophobia meant Pasha left his home. After the State Committee for National Security service put an intimate blackmail video on social media, Pasha and partner left for Kazakhstan.

“We applied for help from multiple agencies, even the UN bodies, but no one was able to help. It felt as if the whole world left us alone while crumbling apart on its own.” - Pasha

They are still finding their way in America.

In the heart of New York City, as autumn's golden leaves fell and a brisk breeze swept through the air, Refuge America hosted a remarkable event called 'Autumn of Hope.' This event was more than just a celebration of the season; it was a powerful testament to the organization's mission of supporting LGBTQ refugees and changing the narrative surrounding their journeys.

One Journey Festival brings together individuals, refugees from across the country, alias and organizations to form a community bonding over food, conversations, dance and culture to create a renewed narrative not only about fear, hate, rejection, persecution but also about love, acceptance, welcome and family.

"Refuge America's Founder, Edafe Okporo, Brings his Life to the Stage in Powerful Play: 'Do Not Tell Anyone I am a Prince"

This powerful performance was not only a testament to Okporo's inspiring journey but also a catalyst for change, rallying support for an essential bill that seeks to end the detention of migrants in the state of New York.