During Summer 23, Rainbow Refugees NI conducted a survey of our members on the need for safe accommodation for LGBTQIA+ people seeking sanctuary in Northern Ireland.

The results were stark - Of those surveyed, 78% had experienced homophobic abuse or violence in or around their asylum accommodation. This includes name calling, severe bullying, harassment, physical violence and sexual violence.  

Our research shows that it is rare that victims of homophobic abuse are relocated to safe accommodation. 

This has a severe impact on the mental health and physical wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers, contributing to a high rate of self-harm and suicide ideation.

Our members said: "we need help before the violence happens", "we left our countries because we couldn't be free to be who we are" and "all we need is a safe place".

We are grateful to Law Centre NI for supporting us in this research and publishing this important report.

We call on Mears to establish exclusively LGBTQIA+ asylum housing for the safety of our members and all 'rainbow refugees'.

We call on all agencies named in the report to do everything in their power to ensure that LGBTQIA+ people who come here seeking sanctuary are protected from day one.

You can download the report below: