Introducing Rainbows Across Borders

Rainbows Across Borders is a voluntary self-help group for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution of oppressive homophobic/transphobic regimes. The group is based in Croydon. It operates as a community group and is open to LGBT people who are applying to the United Kingdom for asylum on the grounds that they have faced or fear persecution and harm in their countries of origin because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The group pursues policies of integration with LGBT Groups in Croydon and elsewhere. It provides a secure and safe space for members to share experiences as LGBT asylum seekers and to mutually build confidence and knowledge about the asylum process as it affects the individual applicant. It’s supported by those who have already been granted leave to stay in the United Kingdom. The group supports the work of campaigning groups and charities and refers members to those that campaign and provide legal and other support services for asylum seekers. Rainbows Across Borders is run in accordance with our Constitution. You can contact us at info@rainbowsacrossborders.org.uk. Our Annual Report for 2013–14 is now available to download (pdf format).

News

Rainbows Across Borders now has its own choir, Rainbow Singers Across Borders. They sang in public for the first time in Croydon Minster on Sunday the 6th of October, and again at Croydon Unitarian Church on the 20th. On the 18th of May, Rainbows Across Borders took part in an event in the centre of Croydon to mark IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. There's more about this on the LGBT Croydon page. www.lgbt-croydon.org.uk/idaho-2013. On the 29th of June, Rainbows Across Borders marched with their new banner and t-shirts in the London Pride Parade, and on the 23rd of July they protested at the Cameroon High Commission over the murder of Eric Lembembe. See the photos on our Photo Gallery page.

Support

Rainbows Across Borders has been supported by CHE (the Campaign for Homosexual Equality), the Pink Triangle Trust and the Co-operative Membership Community Fund.