Rainbow Migration supports LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum.

If you are seeking asylum on the grounds of your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics, we can help you during the asylum process in the UK. If you would like to access our services, please contact us.

Legal advice

Applying for asylum on the basis of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or intersex (LGBTQI+) can be a long and difficult journey. The Home Office is responsible for considering asylum applications in the UK and deciding who is entitled to protection as a refugee. In order to succeed, you will need to convince the Home Office or a judge that you would be at risk of serious harm in your country of origin because you are LGBTQI+.

Our legal service can advise you by phone or in person on all aspects of the asylum process in the UK, confidentially and free of charge. We give guidance on how to apply for asylum, how to prepare for your interviews with the Home Office and how to gather your evidence for your application. We can also advise you if your application has been refused by the Home Office and if you are appealing in the Immigration Tribunals or trying to make a fresh application based on new evidence.

We are registered with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), which allows us to carry out this work. We do not offer legal representation and cannot replace your lawyer, who will be responsible for your case. In some circumstances, we may be able to refer you to a suitable lawyer.

If you need our assistance, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Practical and emotional support

The asylum process in the UK can be lonely and tough. Here at Rainbow Migration we think that no one should face this process alone and we offer a wide range of support to assist LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum. All of our support staff identify as LGBTQI+.

Our services include emotional support, which takes place either in person or by phone or Zoom. We can also offer telephone support to those currently held in detention.

Our Support Service team can also help on a wide range of issues including access to safe and secure housing, physical and mental wellbeing, access to health services and government asylum support.

We also run support groups for those who identify as gay or bisexual men, lesbian and bisexual women and we hope to run a trans, nonbinary and intersex support group in the near future. Places in these groups are limited and therefore spaces will be given to those in most need. The aim of the groups is to improve self-esteem and confidence and reduce social isolation.

If you need our help, please contact us and one of the Support Service team will be in touch.

Further information on other organisations who can help can be found on our other organisations who can help page.