MiniGrant: The Group will provide intervention support for LGBTQI+ refugees, as well as in-kind assistance.

 

About the group

Our overarching goal is to change the systemic approach to LGBTQI+ refugees at different stages of their journey and procedure. However, it is a long way, and people need support here and now – raising means for direct assistance at the beginning is our attempt at intersectional solidarity.

The collective consists of people engaged in research, advocacy, and activism in support of LGBTQI+ refugees in Poland. They support people directly, among others, in finding accommodation, psychological and legal care, they also cooperate with legal experts in preparing materials for protection proceedings and conduct research with the Migration Consortium. They operate mainly from Warsaw and from the Polish-Belarusian border, but their activities are nationwide.

In our work, the safety and comfort of people is crucial, due to the legal risk associated with the procedure for granting international protection, but also the risk of outing or retraumatization. The collective was created in response to the lack of systemic support for queer refugees, our previous work at the borders, and the needs that we are constantly trying to recognize.

 

 

About the action

The collective will allocate a grant for intervention “assistance packages” for approx. 15-20 LGBTQI+ persons leaving guarded centers for foreigners and places of collective accommodation. As part of the package, transport from the detention center and safe accommodation will be provided. In addition, depending on the needs, the collective will provide food cards, basic hygiene products, power banks, a one-time top-up of a phone and interventional specialist visits – to a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or specialist doctor.

 

Grant amount: 5300 PLN

Photograph from the group’s own materials