LGBTQ2 refugees

Canada has a proud history of providing protection to and helping to resettle the world’s most vulnerable groups. That includes those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit (LGBTQ2) community.

Resettlement cases for those who are persecuted because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status are generally referred to us by:

• the United Nations Refugee Agency
• other referral organizations
• private sponsors

One of the ways we support the LGBTQ2 community is by providing funding support to the Rainbow Refugee Society. The Society works with sponsorship agreement holders to sponsor LGBTQ2 refugees to come to Canada. For example, LGBTQ2 Syrians were among those who were referred and resettled in Canada as part of the #WelcomeRefugees initiative.

As well, guidelines announced by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) will help to provide a better understanding of the challenges people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) may face in presenting their asylum cases before the IRB.

We publicly and proactively encourage the sponsorship of refugees who face violence and persecution, including due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status.

Follow @freetobeme_ca, the Government of Canada’s Twitter account on LGBTQ2 and use the hashtag #FreeToBeMe on any posts related to gender and sexual diversity, and other LGBTQ2 issues.

Learn more about what Canada is doing to protect LGBTQ2 persons internationally.