InReach Celebrates World Refugee Day 2024

Each year on June 20th, the world comes together to celebrate World Refugee Day, an international day dedicated to honoring the resilience and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes. This day serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by refugees worldwide and highlights the strength and determination it takes to rebuild their lives. It is a day to show solidarity, raise awareness, and inspire action towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate world for all displaced people.ย 

As World Refugee Day overlaps with LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we celebrate the strength and courage of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to flee their home country to escape persecution.ย ย 

Pamelaโ€™s Journey: Finding Safety and Hope with InReach

As we celebrate the milestone of over 400,000 LGBTQ+ people accessing safe resources through InReach, we are honored to share the inspiring story of Pamela ๐ŸŒˆ. With InReachโ€™s support, Pamela found safe housing, pro bono legal aid for her asylum case, trauma-informed counseling, and English classes. Pamelaโ€™s journey is a testament to the vital impact of on-demand verified resource access for persecuted LGBTQ+ people seeking refuge and a new beginning.

A Tipping Point for LGBTQ+ Forced Migration

Our new op-ed in The Advocate highlights a critical tipping point for LGBTQ+ forced migration. Hostile legislation is shrinking safe spaces for trans people in the United States, creating ‘American trans refugees’ within our own borders. At the same time, trans people fleeing countries where their identities are criminalized and punished continue to seek refuge here. All are depending on the United States to uphold and protect trans rights.

“As we acknowledge World Refugee Day, let us pledge to defeat the over 330 active anti-trans bills currently pending across our nation for all who courageously live in their truth, believing in the land held as the sanctuary for ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,'” writes Jamie Sgarro, InReach Co-Founder & Executive Director.

Tomโ€™s Story: #TransMascFutures Campaign

We are also honored to share Tom’s story as part of the #TransMascFutures Campaign organized by InReach x GLAAD. Tom left his home country where itโ€™s a criminal offense to be queer/trans. Resources that helped him live authentically as a trans masc immigrant include access to community resources, gender-affirming items, peer support groups, and representation from older Black trans men. Tomโ€™s journey underscores the critical need for accessible support and advocacy for trans masc people worldwide.

Take Action

This World Refugee Day, support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees by donating to InReach’s โ€˜400K Lives Transformed and Countingโ€™ Campaign. Together, we can provide safety, acceptance, and a brighter future for LGBTQ+ people forced to flee persecution. Donations matched until June 30th! ๐ŸŒŸ