LGBTQI+ Safety

RACS has witnessed an increase in protection claims from LGBTQI+ people who are persecuted in their home countries due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and/or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).  

In response, we have developed the LGBTQI+ Safety Program, supporting refugees and people seeking asylum who are fleeing danger based on SOGIESC grounds.  

Individuals may be fleeing their home countries based on:  

• The criminalisation of same-sex relationships 

• Consensual sexual conduct between two people of the same sex 

• Law regarding transgender and gender diverse people 

• Sexual and gender-based violence 

• The denial of rights to assembly, freedom of expression and/or political opinion 

Our lawyers in this program are specially trained to support refugees who identify as LGBTQI+ in accessing safety in Australia. If you would like to speak to a lawyer to access the LGBTQI+ Safety Program, you can contact us using the contact form on this page. 

In addition to this program, we have an LGBTQI+ Toolkit for lawyers, community workers and other professionals who may work with LGBQTI+ refugees. You can read the Toolkit below.