Empowerment and free time activites for queer refugees
25. March 2024Unfortunately the list of participants for the Waldschlösschen meeting is full. Please don’t register anymore.
Are you part of the LGBTIQ+ community and at least 18 years old?
Do you speak English, Arabic or Farsi?
Would you like to get to know other queer refugees and enjoy exciting workshops, nature and free
time with them?
Then register now for our empowerment days at the Waldschlösschen.
We will offer a safe and inclusive space for LGBTIQ+ refugees.
Experience a variety of activities, workshops and discussions on a wide range of interesting topics.
A space for art, culture and politics, but also physical exercise, empowerment and awareness
– a space for YOU!
Besides our programme, you will also have the opportunity to relax, connect with new people, party
and enjoy spring time in the beautiful area around the Waldschlösschen.
This event is free of charge for you.
Train tickets, accommodation in a cosy double bedroom and full catering are covered.
Join us and register now.
Please send us an e-mail to queer.empowerment@lsvd.de
We will get back to you as soon as possible and then send you all further information about the
empowerment days.
What can you do as a queer refugee against violence and bullying?
26. February 2024Queer refugees who experience LGBTIQ* hostility are significantly more frequently affected by depression, stress and a lower level of life satisfaction. This tends to apply more to queer refugees in asylum centres. Queer refugees are therefore considered an especially vulnerable group in German asylum centres in accordance with the “Minimum Standards for the Protection of Refugees in Refugee Accommodation”. This makes it all the more important to press charges against perpetrators.
Charges – but against whom?
LGBTIQ* hostility can apply to almost any criminal offence. This can include:
- Insult
- Assault
- Threats
- Blackmail
- Sexual coercion
- Defamation/slander
- Property damage
What are the consequences of pressing charges?
Everyone has the right to press criminal charges. This will result in criminal prosecution, which may end in a conviction. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering in certain cases.
Every report is recorded statistically. This creates the necessary political pressure to improve the safety of LGBTIQ* people, as statistics demonstrate how severe the issue is. It is important to draw attention to LGBTIQ* hostility when making a report, as the perpetrators can be punished more severely for this.
How does counselling work?
You should seek counselling before making a report to the police. You can get advice locally, at an LGBTIQ* organisation (see e.g. https://www.queer-refugees.de/anlaufstellen/), by telephone or online. Many organisations offer free and confidential counselling. Counselling centres do not pass on personal information to the police or authorities. On request, the counselling centres also offer the option of receiving anonymous counselling.
Am I obliged to press charges after counselling?
No, you can get counselling at a counselling centre regardless of whether you decide to press charges. You can consider together with the counsellors whether it would be useful and helpful for you to press charges, but the decision is, of course, up to you. Most federal states now have specially trained police contacts for LGBTIQ* issues. You can find the contact details on the 100% Mensch website.
https://100mensch.de/zeig-sie-an/
Are you or is someone close to you experiencing LGBTIQ* hostility, discrimination or violence? You can report the incidents and seek counselling. If the situation is acutely dangerous, we advise you to call the police immediately.
Phone number 110
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
Here you can find information on the topic of discrimination, report cases and obtain legal advice.
New: Publication of the Federal Office’s terminology list for language mediation in asylum procedures with reference to sexual orientation and/or gender identity (SOGI)
11. January 2024The new guide in Arabic, Dari, English, French, Pashto, Persian, Russian, Turkish and Urdu is an invitation to learn more about sexual and gender identities. In Germany, too, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex and queer people (LGBTIQ*) experience marginalisation in their everyday lives, which needs to be addressed sensitively but clearly. Our aim with this guide is to inform, educate and support people in breaking down prejudices against LGBTIQ* people. Uncertainties often arise due to ignorance of the lives, feelings and fears of others. This is why it’s important to have the right words to talk about your own experiences.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex and queer people who have recently immigrated or are seeking asylum need a respectful and sensitive atmosphere where they can communicate their needs. A lot of LGBTIQ* people don’t talk about their problems because they’re confronted with derogatory terms in their native language when they’re being interpreted.
We want to reduce fears and provide a respectful approach and humane terms. A bilingual list of terms on the topic of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) has been created in cooperation with the Lesbian and Gay Association in Germany (LSVD) and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Accordingly, we encourage interpreters and translators to use this guide to support their valuable work and to use it as an opportunity to discuss these topics with each other.
If your team would like to receive free training on the topic, please get in touch.
The guide is also available here on our homepage.
The guide is available free of charge at: queer-refugees@lsvd.de
“Offer of free counselling and training for municipalities and districts on the topic of vulnerable LGBTIQ* refugees”.
20. September 2023Our project ” Fluchtgrund: queer – Queer Refugees Deutschland “offers free counselling and training for staff, decision-makers and volunteers in municipal accommodations, especially in the large German states where specialised counselling centres are extremely geographically dispersed. The same applies to all institutions, social institutions and municipal departments that work with LGBTQ* refugees.
We have already gained a lot of experience in this area in recent years and know about the problems and heavy burdens in municipal accommodations. In varied and interactive teaching units with background information, best practices and sensitisation, protection against violence, safe spaces and integration, all participants will acquire the necessary knowledge and confidence to improve the situation for LGBTQ* refugees in under-served areas.
Travel costs and accommodation will be covered. Number of participants in face-to-face attendance: at least 15, virtual attendance: 11.
A certificate of participation will be issued.
Registration and counselling: queer-refugees@lsvd.de