Posted on: October 10, 2023
African Rainbow Family was established in 2014 by a lesbian in the wake of some Commonwealth countries in Africa’s toxic and draconian anti-gay laws; persecutions and environment which seek to criminalise LGBTIQs for the preference of whom they choose to love.
We spoke to the team at African Rainbow Family to discuss what they’re working on this month, and how folks can get involved.
What do you do in or around Manchester?
We are a registered charity that supports LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum and refugees. While our main office is based in Manchester (in Gorton Monastery), we have centres in London, Birmingham and Leeds. We offer a range of services to our service users (or siblings as we call one another), including signposting to solicitors for legal aid, mental health services, housing and employment opportunities. Our key focus is to provide a sense of community and family for LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum and refugees, as for most they have been forced to leave their loved ones (including partners, children, parents, friends), their homes, their finances and their cultures behind to seek safety.
How long have you been going?
Next July will be our 10th anniversary!
What has been the greatest reward since being with the charity?
We have been able to support hundreds of people in being granted their asylum during our time, each time we are able to post a congratulations it reminds us that we are contributing to changing lives.
How can people get involved?
We currently have a campaign called #MoreThanSimplyGay, in response to Suella Braverman’s recent speech. If you want to share it or get involved, please check out our website: https://africanrainbowfamily.org/more-than-simply-gay/
People can also follow us on our socials and if they’d like, they can donate to us via https://africanrainbowfamily.org/donate/.
Any big things happening within your charity in the next month you’d like to shout about?
We are currently waiting for a response to our recent Open Letter to Suella Braverman, calling for her to retract her statement and support women and LGBTIQ+ people who are seeking asylum. You can find the full letter on our campaigns page. We wait with our fingers crossed!
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