End LGBTI Poverty
Organization information
Micro Rainbow International Foundation
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary
Micro Rainbow International Foundation’s vision is to contribute to a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people can achieve their full potential in life and have equal access to employment, training, education, financial services, healthcare, housing, places of faith, and public places and services.
We do so through three main programmes:
- Economic empowerment and advocacy : Micro Rainbow International Foundation’s previous studies into LGBTI poverty in Cambodia, Brazil and among refugees in the United Kingdom have supported the argument that there is a link between discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity and poverty. They also show that when poverty is combined with multiple forms of discrimination, such as gender, race, class and, most importantly, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, there develops a reality of massive socio-economic inequality and exclusion. we have shaped an LGBTI-centred economic empowerment and advocacy programme which includes the following activities: small business training and LGBTI micro finance, and moving on services for LGBTI refugees.
- Emergency housing and support : Micro Rainbow created the first ever safe housing scheme for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution, opening the first dedicated safehouse in 2017. Our research and work with beneficiaries showed that LGBTQI asylum seekers are often unsafe when placed in housing environments with people whose religious and cultural backgrounds can encompass extreme homophobic and transphobic views. Non-cisgender LGBTQI people frequently suffer from higher levels of violence and abuse. Micro Rainbow created the housing scheme to respond to this need and to provide safe, welcoming, and inclusive housing for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution. In the five years since the opening of the first safehouse, the national safe housing scheme has expanded to more than 17 houses. The houses are in London, the West Midlands, and the Northwest of England, with space for four residents in each house. As of 2022, the Micro Rainbow housing capacity is over 25,000 bed-nights a year.
- social inclusion : Micro Rainbow’s Social Inclusion programme aims to build friendships and reduce the extreme isolation faced by LGBTQI refugees, and to strengthen communities where networks are fragile. Micro Rainbow works with partners to hold social inclusion activities which can range from regular dance classes to one off events. Acclaimed choreographers work with Micro Rainbow to facilitate dance and movement workshops. These workshops are a chance for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers to come together in a safe and social environment, to move their bodies in creative expression and alleviate the stresses of day-to-day life as a refugee or asylum seeker. Our Sista Sista workshops are a safe space for LBTQI refugee women who have been victims of persecution and violence because of their sexual identity. The workshops focus on rebuilding LBTQI refugee women’s self-esteem and confidence, empowering them to realise their potential. Through confidence building workshops they are equipped with new skills to cope with stress, anxiety, and trauma.
Project locations
Brazil, Cambodia, United Kingdom