LGBTIQ+ refugees around the world face heightened risks throughout their displacement journeys, from violence and discrimination in transit countries to systemic barriers within European asylum systems. Many cannot access protection because mainstream services are not safe, inclusive, or informed about the realities of queer and trans people fleeing persecution. ALO’s LGBTIQ+ Refugees Program responds to these gaps through direct support, inclusive community programming, specialized tools, and sustained advocacy at national, regional, and international levels.
Our work supports LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers of all nationalities, including Afghans, Ukrainians, Russians, and others seeking safety in the Czech Republic.
International & EU-Level Advocacy
ALO advocates for the rights of LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers across transit countries and European systems. Our work includes:
- Advocacy at the European Parliament and EU institutions, addressing issues such as EU externalisation of border policies, border violence, conditions in refugee camps, and discriminatory asylum procedures toward LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers.
- Direct engagement with refugee and human rights actors, delivering workshops on how to “queer the asylum system” to make reception, screening, and integration more inclusive.
- Collaboration with civil society partners to strengthen cross-border referrals, protection pathways, and joint advocacy for safer relocation and asylum processes.
Our goal is to ensure that the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ displaced people shape European policy and practice.
UN Advocacy for LGBTIQ+ Refugees
As part of our global mandate, ALO amplifies the realities of LGBTIQ+ refugees within the UN system:
- Submissions to UN Special Procedures documenting the situation of LGBTIQ+ refugees in transit and destination countries.
- A dedicated UN Human Rights Council side event (June 2025 in Geneva) highlighting the protection gaps facing LGBTIQ+ refugees from different contexts.
- Engagements with governments, member states, and UN bodies advocating for inclusive asylum frameworks and recognition of SOGIESC-based persecution.
This work ensures that LGBTIQ+ refugee issues remain visible and actionable at the highest levels of international human rights decision-making.
Support & Activities in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, ALO provides direct support to LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers of various backgrounds, including Afghans, Ukrainians, Russians, and others who have fled conflict, persecution, and discrimination.
Our activities include:
- Training for Czech authorities, including a half-day seminar on inclusive asylum practices, correct terminology, and the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ displaced people.
- Development of toolkits and guidance materials for LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers, as well as for service providers, NGOs, and state authorities.
- Community-building initiatives such as Queer Dance Therapy, social gatherings, and safer-space activities that promote well-being and integration.
- Publication of reports and informational resources to inform the public, strengthen national systems, and highlight key challenges.
- Cross-referral pathways connecting refugees to inclusive legal, mental-health, social, and community services.
These programs are designed to provide both immediate assistance and long-term empowerment.
Our Commitment
Through international advocacy, national capacity-building, community programs, and partnerships across sectors, ALO works to ensure that all LGBTIQ+ refugees are protected, included, and empowered. We remain committed to building safer pathways, strengthening asylum systems, and amplifying voices that have long been ignored.
