Although there is a greater awareness of LGBTQI+ people’s international protection needs, few are accessing legal pathways programmes to Europe because of the lack of tailored procedures to efficiently reaching out LGBTQI+ refugees. However, legal pathways are particularly necessary for people at risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, who, because of these grounds for persecution, are less able to leave their country safely and are more likely to be exposed to violence on migration routes.

Synergies migrations launched the project “Enhancing legal pathways to protect LGBTQI+ refugees in Europe” to contribute to more inclusive refugee policy and practices that fully address the protection needs of LGBTQI+ people. Synergies migrations published a first report in April 2024 providing an overview of legal pathways for LGBTQI+ refugees in France, Germany and Italy. This report highlights some promising practices initiated by civil society organizations but also confirms the need to set up more cooperation between refugee-assisting NGOs and LGBTQI+ rights NGOs.

This webinar aims at discussing the main findings and recommendations from this report among practitioners, policy makers and supporters of refugees and LGBTQI+ rights. The webinar will also be an opportunity to launch a reflection on how to better include queer refugees in community sponsorship/humanitarian corridors programmes and will explore the support available to LGBTQI+ refugees in Central and Eastern Europe.