Refuge America was founded in 2022 by Edafe Okporo, a gay refugee from Nigeria, and Dan Friedman, a Jewish educator from England, to help LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees find safety, rebuild their lives, and share their stories. The organization emerged in response to the unique challenges LGBTQ individuals face when accessing social services, addressing a dual vulnerability: being both displaced and part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Edafe’s firsthand experience as a refugee inspired the work of Refuge America. Having run a shelter in New York for LGBTQ asylum seekers for five years, he understood the limitations of the “hand-to-mouth” model of service provision and sought to transform how people find refuge. Dan brought a deep understanding of the fear his Jewish ancestors faced when fleeing for safety. Together, they envisioned a first-generation, nimble organization that combines immediate support with forward-looking solutions, giving rise to the name Refuge America—reflecting a vision of making the U.S. a place of welcome for displaced people.

From the start, Refuge America has provided advocacy, educational resources, and immediate referrals to essential services, using storytelling as a tool to raise awareness and drive change. Since our inception, the need has only grown. As of January 2025, we have been receiving more than nine requests for help each week from LGBTQ refugees in Africa and beyond, yet our capacity currently limits us to responding within the U.S.

In 2025, Refuge America participated in the UN General Assembly, focusing on redesigning refugee response to meet the ongoing crisis faced by LGBTQI people and to center resilience in host countries. The global conversation on refugees often omits LGBTQI voices, leaving many with no choice but to flee for safety. Among the ten African countries with legal protections for LGBTQI people, only Guinea-Bissau has joined the UN declaration on LGBTQ rights and does not criminalize same-sex relations—underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches beyond relocation.

We are seeking additional support to expand this vital work. Through our Communities of Care initiative, we aim to raise $1 million to resource Refuge America’s programs, helping LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers find safety, rebuild their lives, and reclaim their dignity.