The Western Union Foundation is proud to partner with Micro Rainbow, the leading nonprofit in the UK that supports the integration of LGBTQI refugees who flee their home countries due to discrimination and persecution.
Micro Rainbow works with more than 1,000 LGBTQI asylum seekers each year to provide integration support including safe housing, social inclusion, and employability workshops so that people have a higher chance of success as they rebuild their lives. Claiming asylum in the UK is not an easy process… from strict restrictions on employment and education to limited housing options – integration can be a very isolating and challenging experience.
The Western Union Foundation has been supporting Micro Rainbow since 2021 and has helped change the lives of more than 600 LGBTQI asylum seekers during our partnership. Our current grant is helping refugees like Queen increase their income potential through Micro Rainbow’s Moving On program, which provides mentoring, employability workshops, and opportunities to strengthen social safety nets.
Queen’s Journey to Live her Truth
Queen is originally from Nigeria, where same-sex relationships are punishable with up to 14 years in prison. As Queen grew up, she knew she needed to find a community where she could feel safe and accepted as a lesbian. “My homophobic family and the daily harassment I faced forced me to leave Nigeria,” Queen shares. “I just couldn’t deal with the abuse and not living as my true authentic self… I claimed asylum the second day after I arrived in the UK.”
While same sex relationships are legal in the UK, Queen still faced harassment upon moving there. She found herself in a homophobic living environment which created feelings of social isolation – which is when she first contacted Micro Rainbow.
“I reached out to Micro Rainbow to learn about housing options,” Queen said. “I went to my first event that month and started to meet people. I also took part in Micro Rainbow’s employability workshops and found that they were really useful. They have made me feel more prepared for applying for jobs – and the interview practice sessions helped build my confidence.”
Queen has recently received her refugee status and is excited to use the skills she’s learned at Micro Rainbow to get a job and rebuild her life in the UK.
“I left Nigeria to try and live my truth, to be happy, and to find my community. I have started to find that through Micro Rainbow.”
