Advocacy & Education

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ORAM leverages our direct experience with clients to advocate for key policy changes to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers and refugees from the time they leave home, until they are safely resettled in supportive communities.

The particular experiences and needs of LGBTI refugees are not well understood by the agencies that serve them. ORAM prioritizes research, education, and training of NGOs, institutions, and decision-makers to improve conditions for LGBTI refugees.

In 2011, ORAM formed an official partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), leading and coordinating international action to protect LGBTI refugees. The ORAM-UNHCR Joint Secretariat's focus spans the following areas:

  • Policy: Creating guidance and training for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the UNHCR and governments to better protect LGBTI people fleeing persecution.
  • Research: Coordinating with NGOs to investigate challenges LGBTI refugees face in transit, assessing refugee assistance organizations' assistance to LGBTI refugees and encouraging communities to integrate resettled LGBTI refugees.
  • Direct Services: Connecting NGOs assisting vulnerable LGBTI refugees to assure their needs are met.

Learn more about our advocacy and education outreach work by clicking on the links below:

 

Research

We conduct and publish original and groundbreaking research on the plight of  LGBTI refugees and the organizations that serve them, helping to lay the groundwork for system-wide changes.

Advocacy

We advocate for widespread policy changes—within agencies, organizations, and governing bodies—to benefit the greatest possible number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) refugees and asylum seekers.

Education

We educate and train nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) about the unique needs of the misunderstood and severely marginalized LGBTI population.