Rainbow
Refugee
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Rainbow Refugee promotes safe, equitable migration and fosters communities of belonging for individuals fleeing persecution related to their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) or HIV status.
Support Given to Refugees in BC
Countries Represented Among Those Supported
People reached
Privately Sponsored Refugees through the RRAP
Mission
To promote safe, equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and HIV+ persecution.
Vision
A safe and just world for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Core Values
• Social Justice & Anti-Oppression
• Human Rights of LGBTQIA+ People
• Respect
• Empathy & Compassion
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge with deep respect that we live and work on so called Vancouver, the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. We are grateful to the Indigenous Peoples of these Nations who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. Rainbow Refugee is committed to learning from and standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities. We recognize that colonialism, including the imposition of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ laws, has caused harm both globally and here on Turtle Island. As we support displaced people, we commit to ongoing reflection, action, and relationship-building in support of Indigenous sovereignty.
Seek Support
I'm in Canada
Support for LGBTQIA+ refugee claimants in BC, with some referrals across Canada.
I'm outside Canada
Info on sponsorship and safety planning for LGBTQIA+ people oustide Canada
Refugee Pathfinder
Not sure where to start? Get helpful guidance based on your location and status.
How We Work?
Submit a Request
Reach out by email or fill out our intake form. Let us know where you are, your current immigration status, and the kind of support you're looking for.
Legal Disclaimer
Rainbow Refugee provides information and system navigation to help LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities understand immigration and refugee processes in Canada. This content is for general educational and informational purposes only. We are not immigration consultants, lawyers, or legal representatives, and we do not provide legal advice. For support finding legal resources, we may be able to help with referrals. Contact us to know more.
Why Your Support Matters
Rainbow Refugee is more than an organization, it’s a lifeline. Your support helps LGBTQIA+ people find safety, healing, and community.
1,200+ Refugees Supported in BC
Since 2021, we’ve supported over 1,200 LGBTQIA+ refugees who have already arrived in British Columbia and are rebuilding their lives.
500+ Refugees Waiting for Resettlement
Around the world, LGBTQIA+ individuals remain in danger. We maintain connection and advocate for their resettlement.
30+ Active Sponsorship Groups
Our community-led groups fundraise and prepare to welcome LGBTQIA+ refugees and their chosen families through private sponsorship.
Trauma-Informed, Peer-Led Support
We offer compassionate, peer-led services that honour each person’s lived experience and journey toward healing.
National and Global Advocacy
We advocate for policy change and protection of LGBTQIA+ refugees at the national level in Canada and across international forums. Our work pushes for systems that protect, not punish, LGBTQIA+ lives.
14 Full-Time Staff, One Shared Mission
Our committed team works every day to create safer futures for LGBTQIA+ people forced to flee.
Become a Monthly Donor
Ongoing support allows us to respond with consistency and care. As a monthly donor, you help ensure that LGBTQIA+ refugees receive timely assistance, advocacy, and connection. Sustainable giving strengthens our programs and builds a foundation of solidarity for those seeking safety and belonging.
Make a lasting difference, become a MONTHLY DONOR today.
Donate Today!
Rainbow Refugee supports over 1,200 LGBTQIA+ refugees in British Columbia, many of whom face multiple barriers accessing basic human rights such as housing, healthcare, and safety.
We also stay connected to over 500 LGBTQIA+ refugees overseas waiting for resettlement through community sponsorship.
With the help of 30+ sponsorship groups and a dedicated team of 14 full-time staff, we not only provide direct support, we advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights at the provincial, national, and international level.
Your donation fuels this vital work.
It helps us create safer pathways, amplify marginalized voices, and ensure no one is left behind.
Your gift is tax-deductible and makes a real impact.
Take Action
Fundraise
Planning a fundraising event? Fill out this quick form before or after so we can support you and celebrate your impact!
Sponsor an LGTBQIA+ Refugee
Over 100 million people are displaced globally. An estimated 4–7% identify as LGBTQIA+, yet face greater risks and are often excluded from resettlement pathways.
Through Rainbow Refugee’s Private Sponsorship Program, you can privately sponsor an LGBTQIA+ refugee or chosen family, outside of government programs. This grassroots model offers a life-changing path to safety and belonging.
Book a speaker
Invite lived experience and advocacy to your classroom, workplace, faith group, or community gathering.
Rainbow Refugee offers speakers with firsthand knowledge of forced displacement, LGBTQIA+ rights, and refugee sponsorship. Whether you are looking to raise awareness, inspire action, or deepen understanding, our speakers bring powerful stories and insights rooted in resilience, equity, and lived reality.
Available for panels, trainings, conferences, and community dialogues.
Join the Coalition
From Borders to Belonging is a national coalition co-led by Rainbow Refugee that brings together organizations and advocates across Canada to advance the rights and protection of LGBTQIA+ refugees. The coalition works to make refugee sponsorship more inclusive, improve policies, and ensure that queer and trans people forced to flee can find safety, dignity, and a sense of belonging.
Join Us as a Volunteer or Intern
Rainbow Refugee offers meaningful opportunities to contribute through volunteering or internships. Whether you’re looking to support community events, assist with programs, or gain experience in the non-profit sector, our Volunteer Program provides structured roles with purpose and impact.
Partner with Us
Join us in building safer pathways and welcoming communities for LGBTQIA+ refugees. Whether you’re a nonprofit, business, or community group, your partnership can make a life-changing difference.
Social Justice
Anti-Oppression
Human Rights for 2SLGBTQIA+
Empathy & Compassion
Respect
Our Programs and Collaborations
We support LGBTQIA+ refugees through local and global initiatives that build safety, belonging, and long-term impact.
Time to Thrive
Emotional, practical, and peer-based support for LGBTQIA+ refugee claimants, GARs and PSRs in BC. Includes intake for people currently in British Columbia.
Inland
One-on-one and group-based help for LGBTQIA+ people making refugee claims within British Columbia, Canada, including case navigation and referrals.
Sponsorship
Private resettlement support for LGBTQIA+ refugees outside Canada through RRAP intake and the coordination of Circles of Hope sponsorship groups.
Education and Training
Workshops and training for professionals, and communities supporting LGBTQIA+ refugees in Canada.
From Borders to Belonging
National coalition work advancing pathways to safety and shaping refugee policy for LGBTQIA+ people in Canada through shared action.
Advocacy and Research
We build awareness and promote change for LGBTQIA+ refugees at local, national, and global levels through campaigns & policy work
Walk-ins and Drop-ins
Support for LGBTQIA+ Refugees in British Columbia
Walk-ins are usually in person and provide support with forms, health, and basic needs in BC. Some are also on Zoom. Drop-ins are online on Zoom and open to anyone. You can ask questions or learn how to connect with our programs.
In-Person registration
- 1:00 PM - 3:00pm
If you are already living in British Columbia, you can register as a Rainbow Refugee member by visiting us in person. Our volunteers will be available to assist you with completing the form.
No appointment is required. Simply drop in during our open hours.
If you are unable to come in person, you may request the registration link through our Contact Us page.
Resources Walk-In
- 1:00 PM - 3:00pm
Time to Thrive Walk-Ins are only available to individuals currently living in British Columbia who are registered with Rainbow Refugee. If you are not yet registered, please contact us to register and include your country of origin as well as your current city and country of residence.
These sessions take place every Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM: the first two weeks of each month are in person, and the last two weeks are online via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link or more information, please contact us.
Inland Walk-In for Refugee Claimants
- 1:00 PM - 3:00pm
The Inland Walk-In for LGBTQIA+ Refugee Claimants is an in-person support session designed for individuals currently residing in British Columbia who are pursuing a refugee claim from within Canada.
Advance registration is required. Please contact us to register and be sure to include your country of origin as well as your current city and country of residence. We kindly ask that you arrive by 2:00 PM at the latest, as the session concludes at 3:00 PM. For future session dates and additional updates, please contact us.
Online Drop-ins for Refugee Claimants
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
We host online drop-in sessions via Zoom three times per month for individuals living in Canada who want to learn more about the refugee process based on SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics).
These sessions provide guidance on how to start a refugee claim, how to prepare for your refugee hearing, and what your rights and responsibilities are after the hearing. To receive the Zoom link or more information, please register as a member of Rainbow Refugee.