Why Trans Day of Visibility is so important
Trans Day of Visibility takes place on March 31 each year, to celebrate trans and non-binary people, and raise awareness of discrimination faced by trans people worldwide.
Sasha Taylor, from Guatemala, went through the asylum system in the UK a few years ago. She has kindly shared her thoughts on how the asylum system could be improved and why it is so important to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility.
What would you like to see changed in the current UK asylum system to make it more inclusive of trans people?
Firstly, the waiting time to give us an answer to our asylum application. I waited more than two years to receive an answer, which made my depression, anxiety and post trauma disorder so much worse. I received counselling, group therapy, and NHS medication. Lots of people don’t get even that support. I have been able to manage my mental health, and now have a healthy life. I am very grateful for that, but there are still moments when my mental health suffers. This means it can take longer to re-integrate into society and improve ourselves personally and professionally. We need to be good to ourselves, and stay positive, so we can look forward and move on.
Second, trans people seeking asylum need access to education. For example, English classes will help people seeking asylum integrate into society. It’s important to note that 99% of LGBT refugees, especially trans people, do not have access to education. They face discrimination because of their gender identity, and lack opportunities, economical resources or official Identification to make the most of educational resources. It took me one year and six months for a school to accept me so I could study English language, and I had to ask for the intervention of a social worker to help me get a place. It is important to understand that learning the language of the country helps you develop your confidence and integration in the society; it opens doors to a better life.
Third, we need more access to support workers. They inform us so much, and teach us about our rights and obligations in this country. I was able to have one, because of my type of case, but I know many people do not receive that support and they don’t know anything about those topics. It is necessary to recognise our own human rights, but they also go hand in hand with our obligations and responsibilities too, and that makes us all be a better citizen. It is really important to engage with that because it makes us all more tolerant, and we can move forward together as a society. It can help show politicians that we are human beings, rational and intelligent, that we are not ignorant, or animals that they can move or send from one place to another. Politicians, and society, need more empathy and sensitivity.
Why do you think it is important to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility?
In many countries, lots of LGBT people are murdered each year. This is especially true for trans people, as they often have a more visible identity. They are particularly subject to violence, attacks and murders.
Trans Day of Visibility is so important, but we need more than a one-day celebration. It is an opportunity for politicians, society, and the world in general, to know that trans people are human beings like any other, 365 days a year. We have physical, intellectual and emotional capacities like anyone else. If we are given the right tools to live our lives, and the necessary protection of our human rights, we can be part of this society, and we can develop and move forward with equality, respect, and peace.
That’s why it is necessary for politicians to make new legislation, and adapt the laws, so there is justice, inclusion, tolerance and respect for all. It would create a healthier, safer, more inclusive, and humane social environment for all of us, and future generations of trans people, in this country and anywhere in the world.
What does a Support Worker at Rainbow Migration do?
Our team of Support Workers provide emotional and practical support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex people, who are going through the UK asylum and immigration system. We spoke to one of them, Stuart, who explained what Support Workers do, and why their work is so important.
What kind of issues are LGBTQI+ people in the asylum system specifically facing?
LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum face particular risks. One of the biggest issues is living conditions. LGBTQI+ people are often housed in inappropriate accommodation, with people who are LGBTQI-phobic.
LGBTQI+ people also must ‘prove’ their sexual orientation and gender identity for their asylum application, but this can be very challenging. LGBTQI+ people are sometimes disbelieved by the Home Office, which often wants straightforward, traditional stories of “coming out”, but most of our service users have had to live secret lives as they are fleeing dangerous and homophobic societies. Or the Home Office might expect our service users to provide very specific evidence, such as being in a relationship. They are often isolated which means they aren’t part of an organisation and don’t have LGBTQI+ friends.
Often, they are fleeing persecution in their home country, and come to the UK seeking safety. As they have often had to hide their sexual orientation and gender identity, it can be very difficult for them to provide any evidence they are LGBTQI+. They might also need to avoid other people from their country, because they might be at risk of facing the LGBTQI-phobic abuse they are fleeing.
This means that LGBTQI+ people in the asylum system in the UK need specific support and safeguarding throughout the asylum process, which we aim to provide for them.
What does a Support Worker at Rainbow Migration do?
Primarily, we provide one-on-one emotional support. We also have men’s, women’s and trans support groups. We meet, in person, twice a month. This is an opportunity for our service users to meet other people in similar situations, and to share our good or bad news with each other. It’s a way of building a support network, and it’s a really important part of our service.
Generally, our service users are very isolated. The pandemic made that worse. We are here to talk to them. They are often new to the UK and don’t know many people. Often, they keep their sexual orientation, gender identity, and their asylum status to themselves. Many are used to having to hide who they are, having faced a lot of stigma both in their home countries and here in the UK. They are often traumatised and may find it difficult to talk to strangers in a Home Office interview. We help them deal with what can be very stressful situations.
We help our service users access safe housing and healthcare. We talk to them about mental health, and if we need to, find them a therapist or counsellor, or make sure they have access to the right medication. Sometimes we cover their costs for healthcare, or essential purchases such as hygiene products or food.
We also have a legal team to guide them through the asylum process, and they help them find legal representation. We refer our service users to legal aid solicitors, or for pro-bono advice. We also have monthly partnership sessions, where pro-bono solicitors offer free advice to LGBTQI+ couples who need support when one or both partners need a visa to stay in the UK, as the process for couples is different.
All our services are free, confidential, and available before and during their asylum claim.
What does a typical day for a Support Worker look like?
I book calls and have catchups with service users. Most of my service users don’t have many people to talk to, so it’s important I can be there for them. Sometimes I have emergencies, such as someone being made homeless, or someone urgently needing a solicitor. Many of my service users feel very low and are having mental health crises; so, I take lots of time each day to be as much of a support to them as possible. This can be in person, over the phone, or by email. Many feel unheard, invisible, ignored, helpless. I am here to listen and help as much as I can.
Every two weeks I run the men’s support group. We meet in person, and at the moment we have about 15 men in the group. It is a safe space, for our service users to share their stories, listen to each other, and be themselves without judgement.
What is the asylum process like?
It can take years to claim asylum. Some of our service users wait as long as five years to hear a decision. Many wait two years just for the interview. They just don’t know when they’ll hear. There’s no pattern, it’s not like the Home Office is working through an organised waiting list. It’s impossible to say when people will hear about their case. Their lives are on hold. It’s a very long, frustrating waiting game.
Whilst they’re waiting, they’re trying to live on £40 a week. It’s almost impossible. After a year you can apply to work but only for specific jobs such as care, but many of our service users are not in a situation to provide care for others. Many of them are facing their own mental health issues. Most of them need too much support to then be supporters and carers themselves.
How could the system be improved?
People seeking asylum should be able to work, have access to better housing, and have a choice about where to live. There should be more LGBTQI+ accommodation, such as the ones that Micro Rainbow already provides. Trans people seeking asylum are especially at risk. LGBTQI+ people should be able to live and work safely. The process is so expensive, yet also so slow. The application system needs a time limit; people should be guaranteed an interview and a decision by a certain time. It’s so cruel to keep people waiting, in poverty, for years. The fact that the system is getting even slower since the pandemic is ridiculous.
LGBTQI+ people in immigration detention are not safe. They shouldn’t detain anyone; the use of indefinite immigration detention is inhumane. At the moment, people can be detained in these centres for months and even years. Their lives are in total limbo.
The system is terrible for everyone, but it especially harms LGBTQI+ people. Those seeking asylum should be able to work. Instead they are housed in Home Office accommodation, with nothing to do; the current system costs a huge amount, and no-one in this country benefits, financially, or otherwise.
We need a massive change in the way the media reports asylum; we need to change public opinion around it. We need a change in the asylum system. The whole process is broken.
What is the best thing about your job?
Well, my job shouldn’t exist. If we had a better, more humane system, my role wouldn’t be necessary! But as it is, I do the best I can. What I will say is that I have the most amazing team and support network around me. My colleagues are fantastic, and I couldn’t do this job without them.
Full breakdown of countries that the asylum bill considers ‘safe’ but are not safe for LGBTQI+ people
- Albania: In 2021 (the most recently published ‘experimental’ data)1 there were around five grants of asylum made by the UK to Albanians who were recognised as being at risk of persecution due to their sexual orientation.
- Brazil: Asylum claims based on sexual orientation are being made here in the UK, but the number of any grants is not provided in the published data. We are routinely contacted by Brazilians who fear return to their country, with good reason (see e.g. here and here).
- Bulgaria: This is not a source country for people seeking asylum in the UK, however there are also serious issues for LGBTQI+ people in Bulgaria (see here and Bulgaria was ranked last in acceptance of same-sex relationships in the EU in this 2019 survey).
- Gambia (in respect of men): Nine asylum claims based on sexual orientation were made here in 2021, there are no published outcomes for that year due to the low numbers involved, nor does the Home Office provide a gender breakdown, however the most recent data on appeals shows five appeals were allowed in 2018 and 12 in 2017.
- Ghana (in respect of men): Nine grants of refugee status were made in 2021 and 7 appeals were allowed for asylum claims based on sexual orientation. Again, there is no gender breakdown, however we have had male service users from Ghana who have been granted refugee status, including Adams in 2022. Ghana is becoming increasingly dangerous for LGBTQI+ people (see e.g. here and here).
- Hungary: The dangers to LGBTQI+ people in Hungary are well known, see e.g. here and here.
- India: In 2021 ten people from India claimed asylum based on sexual orientation, but there are no published outcomes due to the low numbers.
- Jamaica: Grants of asylum to people claiming on the basis of their sexual orientation have been made as recently as 2018 when 11 people were recognised as refugees by the UK.
- Kenya (in respect of men): In 2021, at initial asylum application stage, 33 people were recognised as refugees based on their sexual orientation, a gender breakdown is not published
- Malawi (in respect of men): Asylum claims based on sexual orientation have been made as recently as 2020 when five people sought refuge in the UK, however outcomes are not published due to the low numbers.
- Mauritius: The last published data on asylum claims based on sexual orientation from Mauritius show that seven people claimed in 2017. Same sex activity between men is criminalised in Mauritius, which contributes to a culture of discrimination against LGBTQI+ people.
- Nigeria (in respect of men): In 2021 there were 50 grants of asylum made to people based on their sexual orientation, and nine appeals were allowed. No gender breakdown is provided but we have male Nigerian service users who have been granted refugee status.
- Poland: As is the case with Hungary, Poland’s anti-LGBTQI+ stance is well known, for example see here and here.
- Romania: This is another European country where LGBTQI+ people face serious issues and discrimination, for example see here and here.
- Rwanda: Asylum claims based on sexual orientation are being made by Rwandans in the UK, but in low numbers such that the data is not published. In 2017 there were five appeals determined in asylum claims based on sexual orientation. Rainbow Migration has set out our concerns about proposals to send LGBTQI+ people to Rwanda here.
- Sierra Leone (in respect of men): In 2021 there were five people who were granted asylum in the UK based on their sexual orientation.
- South Africa: Asylum claims based on sexual orientation have been made, but in such low numbers that the data is not published.
Government’s new asylum bill fails to consider the safety of LGBTQI+ people seeking safety here
Last week, the government announced yet another cruel asylum bill that punishes people seeking to rebuild their lives in the UK.
Among other things, the bill proposes to send people who have fled life-threatening situations in their home countries, and sought safety and protection from the UK, to a list of countries (page 64) that includes countries that are not safe for LGBTQI+ people.
For instance, Ghana is set as one of the countries that is deemed to be safe for men, however as recently as December 2022, Adams, a bisexual man from Ghana that we supported was granted asylum in the UK. He told us that “generally society [in Ghana] is very homophobic, including much of my family, who wanted me to change. I was violently attacked in the street on several occasions, and I knew it wasn’t safe for me stay in Ghana as an openly bisexual man”.
Another country deemed safe to send men seeking safety in the UK is Nigeria. However, in 2021 government statistics show that up to 50 people were granted asylum on the grounds of their sexual orientation (no gender breakdown is provided). Last year, Joel, a gay activist from Nigeria, described how a law passed in 2014 “prohibits same-sex marriage and ruthlessly punishes LGBT+ people in Nigeria. In addition to prohibiting same-sex marriage, the law legitimised oppression and was used by authorities to justify persecution”, and added that “citizens can carry out ‘jungle justice’ without repercussions; lynching and murder of LGBT+ people is a common occurrence”.
Rwanda is among the countries in the list as well, which we have repeatedly called out as a country where LGBTQI+ people are subjected to discrimination, violence and abuse. The situation for LGBTQI+ people in Rwanda is so poor that it is a source country for people seeking asylum in the UK based on their sexual orientation, albeit in low numbers, and Rainbow Migration has previously provided support to LGBTQI+ people from Rwanda. Innocent Uwimana, a gay man from Rwanda, has written about how dangerous it is for LGBTQI+ people there and urged the government to ditch the proposal.
Increased risk of immigration detention
The new bill also greatly extends the powers to hold people in immigration detention, whilst simultaneously restricting their ability to challenge this. This will result in a vast increase in the number of people who could be locked away, which will include LGBTQI+ people, who we know are at additional risk of harm in detention centres.
Leila Zadeh, Executive Director at Rainbow Migration said: “By introducing this heartless and cruel bill, this government is sending a message that it doesn’t care about the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people seeking protection here. We have already received calls from LGBTQI+ people expressing distress about the potential impact of the bill on their lives, telling us they feel ‘unwelcome’ here”.
We are urging this government to stop this inhumane and dangerous bill immediately and instead focus on creating a compassionate and caring asylum system that treats people with kindness.
You are invited to our film screening in London
LGBTQI+ people come to the UK fleeing persecution. But instead of finding safety here, some are locked up in detention centres where they face LGBTQI-phobic bullying, harassment and abuse.
Join us for a short film screening, talk and Q&A on LGBTQI+ experiences of immigration detention. Hear from people with lived experience of detention and discuss how we can resist this unjust and inhumane practice in the UK.
There is #NoPrideInDetention.
When: Friday 10 March, 6-7:30pm
Where: London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Podcast about No Pride in Detention
In this episode Mic Drop star Jared interviews Rainbow Migration’s Campaigns Manager Emma Webb about No Pride in Detention, our campaign that calls for an end to LGBTQI+ detention and a 28-day time limit for all immigration detention.
Emma and Jared talk us through what exactly detention is, how this system works and the specific dangers it poses to LGBTQI+ people.
Content warning: This episode discusses detention experiences, structural violence, homophobia and transphobia.
Support resources:
The Right to Remain toolkit section on immigration detention
The Right to Remain zine for people at risk of detention and their supporters
Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID)’s self-help guide on how to get out of detention
More about the Mic Drop
The Mic Drop is a collaborative podcast made by members of Many Hands One Heart and Larry Achiampong. Across the episodes The Mic Drop will detail a range of subject matter from personal experiences relating to seeking asylum whilst being LGBTIQ+ through to critical conversations relating to the arts and culture.
Many Hands One Heart is a support and wellbeing project for people from the LGBTQI+ community who are seeking asylum in Liverpool.
LGBTQI+ people still at serious risk of harm in immigration detention
A new pilot study into LGBTQI+ experiences of immigration detention since September 2016 indicates that LGBTQI+ people continue to face harassment, bullying and deteriorating mental health while in immigration detention.
The study, conducted by Dr Laura Harvey at the University of Brighton and supported by Rainbow Migration, looks at the experiences in detention of five members of the LGBTQI+ community – three gay men and two non-binary people. Four of the participants were held in Immigration Removal Centres for several months, and one in a Short-Term Holding Facility for 48 hours.
Key findings – LGBTQI+ people not safe in immigration detention
Participants in the research experienced verbal and physical homophobic abuse from other people held in detention, including from individuals they were forced to share locked rooms with at night. Usman* described how he reported someone who “spat on my face for being a gay”, but was still made to share a room with this person until they attacked him physically.
As a result of this violence and intimidation, participants feared being ‘out’ while in detention and felt a need to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, they were not always able to do this despite trying to, so they remained exposed to the risk of bullying and abuse. Johnson* said: “I don’t want to hide my sexuality here but I didn’t tell anyone because I was so scared.”
Although some participants found staff to be a source of help and support, others reported problems including verbal homophobic abuse from staff, being afraid to report homophobic bullying to staff, inaction from staff in the face of escalating homophobic bullying and misgendering by staff.
Overall, participants experienced worsening mental health and delayed access to mental health support while in detention, as well as being put in situations that resembled past traumatic experiences.
Johnson* had suffered violent homophobic attacks in their home country – including one in which their partner was killed – and was identified by a GP in detention as needing mental health support. However they waited three months to be seen by a psychiatrist, during which time they had to share a locked room with someone who was openly homophobic towards them.
Ending LGBTQI+ detention remains as urgent as ever
The research aimed to explore whether experiences of LGBTQI+ people in detention had changed significantly since the last piece of research on this topic in 2016 and after the introduction of the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention policy that same year, which recognised the heightened risk of harm to trans and intersex people in detention.
According to the findings, LGBTQI+ people still face considerable and ongoing risk of harm in immigration detention in the UK. The data suggest that detention centres are inherently risky for LGBTQI+ people, who are trapped in a space that they cannot leave, in which abuse and harassment are difficult to escape.
With the government now increasing its use of immigration detention it is crucial they recognise that people who cannot be kept safe from harm in detention should never be placed there. That applies to all members of the LGBTQI+ community.
If you agree please email your MP to ask if they oppose LGBTQI+ detention and let us know their response.
* All names used for participants are pseudonyms to protect their anonymity.
For more information about the pilot study please see the research report or summary of key findings.
We are hiring: LGBTQI+ Asylum Seeker Support Worker
***This opportunity has now closed***
We are recruiting for an LGBTQI+ Asylum Seeker Support Worker to deliver support services to individuals seeking asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.
We have been supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system and campaigning for their rights since 1993. We now have an opportunity for an additional LGBTQI+ Asylum Seeker Support Worker to join our team and play a key role in helping LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum improve their ability and resilience to cope with the challenges they face and build support networks.
The position requires that you identify as LGBTQI+ and are comfortable discussing and disclosing your identity in a professional context with service users. It is important to be aware that your identity may become known to external parties, such as service users’ friends, funders, and the general public through your association with Rainbow Migration and our work.
This role will receive full training and support as required to deliver your responsibilities:
- Facilitating regular support group meetings
- Providing one-to-one emotional and practical support
- Assisting service users to access health services and accommodation
- Ensuring Rainbow Migration service users access quality legal representation
- Sharing your knowledge and expertise by providing advice, guidance and training to other organisations working with LGBTQI+ people who are seeking asylum
- Ensuring Rainbow Migration service users who do not speak English can access the service with support from telephone interpreters and online translation.
Rainbow Migration’s vision is that LGBTQI+ people can safely settle in the UK and lead fulfilling lives. Our values are:
- Safety: We believe everyone should be safe from persecution and safe to be themselves. We strive to create a safe workplace culture, and we place importance on the wellbeing of everyone involved with Rainbow Migration.
- Integrity: We are thorough and honest in everything we do, and we take responsibility for our actions. We want to be accountable to our communities and those who support us.
- Belonging: We welcome and include all LGBTQI+ people, and we celebrate and value their range of experience in terms of gender, religion, race, age, disability status and class. We try to remove obstacles to participation, champion equality and promote a sense of family or home through our services.
- Respect: We believe that every person is equal and deserves the same level of courtesy, care, and attention. We respect the rights, wishes and feelings of our service users, and campaign for their rights to be respected as they go through the asylum and immigration system.
At Rainbow Migration, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status – simple, we consider all qualified applicants, consistent with any legal requirements.
We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of going through the UK asylum or immigration system or who have been subject to immigration control, and also people of colour who are currently underrepresented among our staff. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone considered as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they meet the necessary criteria in the person specification.
Owing to the nature of the work, the successful applicant will be required at the point of conditional job offer to disclose all unspent criminal records and subsequently to undergo a enhanced DBS check. See our website for more information.
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Part-time - 21 hours a week but fewer hours will be considered. Occasional work in the evenings and at weekends may be required but with plenty of notice. Rainbow Migration encourages staff to maintain a good work life balance and has a TOIL system in place.
Salary: Starting at £26,868 FTE with potential annual step increases up to £29,173 (pro rata), plus statutory employer’s pension contribution. In addition to an annual step increase, the trustees consider giving a separate inflationary increase every April.
Location: Rainbow Migration’s offices are based in Borough, Central London. This role will have an office-based contract but the postholder can choose to work from home for part of the week in agreement with their line manager and Executive Director. You must be available to work from our offices in London when necessary. The successful candidate would also be welcome to work from the office full-time if that is their preference. At the time of posting this advert, none of our staff are going into the office every day. There might also be occasional travel outside London with plenty of notice. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Annual Leave: 25 days per year rising after 24 months by 1 day after each year of service to maximum of 28 days per year (pro rata if working part-time).
How to apply:
Closing date: Thursday 23 February at 5pm
Interview dates: March. Exact date TBC
Please read the job description and person specification. If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, then you can contact the line manager via recruitment@rainbowmigration.org.uk.
Please email your CV, covering statement, and optional monitoring form to recruitment@rainbowmigration.org.uk. When writing your covering statement, please:
- Give examples of how you meet the person specification. In addition to what is on your CV, we want to hear about any relevant skills and experience that demonstrate you meet the necessary criteria for the role, and if you meet any of the advantageous criteria. Skills and experience could be from training, volunteering, interests or life experience
- Confirm if you wish to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme for anyone considered as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 (physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ effect on your ability to do normal daily activities)
- State how many hours a week you wish to work and if you have a preferred pattern. We would like the postholder to work at least 3 hours on Tuesdays but this is not essential.
- Make your statement no longer than two A4 pages
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please complete this form to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.
By submitting an application, you:
- Confirm that you have the right to work in the UK and will produce the necessary documentation if you are offered this post
- Declare that to the best of your knowledge and belief, the information provided with your application is true and correct and that you understand that any false information or statement given will justify the dismissal from Rainbow Migration if appointed
- Accept that, if successful, you will be required to disclose all unspent criminal records at the point of conditional job and subsequently to undergo a basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
Privacy Notice: Your privacy and data protection
In order to recruit and manage staff, Rainbow Migration needs to store personal information (data) about all applicants. Rainbow Migration is registered as a “controller of personal data” under the Data Protection Act 2018 with the Information Commissioner. By applying for this role, you agree that we will keep the information on your CV and covering statement including storing and processing special category data that identifies you as being LGBTQI+. Please see our privacy policy.
Monitoring information is kept separately and is pseudonymised to avoid identification of applicants. Monitoring information is amalgamated for statistical purposes and the original data then destroyed.
Rainbow Migration keeps all personal information safely and securely, and does not share your information with anyone outside Rainbow Migration or any other organisation without your consent. Information is kept for the minimum period necessary which for CVs and covering statements for unsuccessful applicants is 12 months after the conclusion of the recruitment campaign.
Join our campaigns advisory group!
***This opportunity has now closed***
Would you like to get involved in campaigning against immigration detention?
Our No Pride In Detention campaign is steered by a group of LGBTQI+ people with lived experience of the UK asylum system. We have been working together for the past year to develop and launch the campaign, and have secured the support of over 4,000 people and 19 organisations for an end to the detention of LGBTQI+ people.
We are now opening up the group to new members for 2023, so read on to find out how you can get involved.
Who can join?
- Are you LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and/or intersex)?
- Have you been through the UK asylum system and/or been held in UK immigration detention, and been granted leave to remain?
- Are you passionate about improving our asylum and detention system to help LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution?
If your answer to the above questions is yes and you are willing to volunteer your time with us, we would love to hear from you. We especially encourage applications from people who have experienced immigration detention as this is the focus of our current campaign.
No previous experience of campaigning is needed – your life experience and passion are more important than work history, and our staff will support you to develop any skills you need.
What will it involve?
You will help to steer, deliver and evaluate our No Pride In Detention campaign, attending online planning meetings with other group members roughly every other month. You will also have the option to attend other campaign events and activities, but anything beyond the regular meetings is optional. Find out more in the Role Description or check out our Campaigns Advisory Group page for more information on current members and activities.
What support are we offering?
This is a voluntary position but we will cover any pre-agreed expenses needed to enable you to take part (e.g. travel, mobile top-ups, childcare). We ask that you tell us what you hope to get out of joining the group so that we can support you to achieve that goal, as well as helping you to develop any knowledge or skills you will need for the role.
How to apply
You can apply online or download an application form to complete and email to us. If you need to apply in a different format (e.g. by sending us a video) or if it would prove difficult to complete the form, just let us know and we’ll try to arrange something that works for you. The deadline is Sunday 26 February but we encourage early applications.
If you have any questions or would like to have an informal chat with our Campaigns Manager or a current member of the group before applying, please email us to arrange this.
"It is a way of getting my voice heard in cases where it normally wouldn’t be heard"
We work with a ‘Campaigns Advisory Group’ made up of LGBTQI+ people with lived experience of the UK asylum system to steer our public campaigning. The group meets regularly with staff to plan, deliver and evaluate activities for our No Pride In Detention campaign. Vanessa, one of the current members, told us her thoughts on being part of this group.
“I came across the advisory role from a friend who knows how passionate I am about the rights of LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum and refugees.
At first I was hesitant because I am a bit anxious but I went for it.
I remember the interview with Emma and Carla, it was very informal and I was literally on a coach to Manchester.
Talking to Emma about my expected commitment got me very excited and I looked forward to joining the advisory team.
I remember receiving the email that I was successful and feeling hopeful for the future and participating in influencing decisions.
It has been a very good experience, I have learnt so much about the refugee system, apart from experiencing the asylum system, from the research and reports that have been conducted I have walked in the shoes of others.”
It is a way of getting my voice heard in cases where it normally wouldn’t be heard.
The best part about this is being able to influence decisions, coming up with ideas for campaigns, participating in events.
It is a way of getting my voice heard in cases where it normally wouldn’t be heard.
I had heard about detention centres but never heard stories from LGBTQ+ people who had actually stayed in detention centres. Being in the advisory group has opened my eyes to the struggles and has also created the passion to lend my voice and words against detention.
Imagine leaving a country that restricts your rights and freedom and then getting into a prison like environment, it can be devastating.
So whether it is silently lending your voice, participating in campaigns and researches, if you are passionate about helping people then this is the right place.”
To learn more about Rainbow Migration’s Campaigns Advisory Group and how you can get involved, please see the role description and application form.