We formed Rainbow Railroad USA in 2015 with the goal of increasing the number of pathways available to LGBTQI displaced persons entering the United States. However, the 2016 election presented significant challenges for our work – with the Trump administration’s egregious ‘Muslim Ban’, the drastic reduction in admissions for refugees and the rejection of the right to claim asylum at the southern border. 

Thankfully, with your support, we were still able to engage policy makers in the State Department and build international coalitions to support LGBTQI refugees.

Elections have consequences: with Biden signing a memorandum on advancing the rights of LGBTQI people abroad – which specifically mentions LGBTQI refugees – an important door has opened. 

So, in these first 100 days – a period critical to any presidency – what concrete actions can we expect from the Biden administration that will make a real difference in the lives of LGBTQI migrants and people who experience persecution internationally? And how will that impact our work here at Rainbow Railroad?

I’ve pulled together a cross section of partners that I’m honored to moderate and discuss this very issue with to provide you insight about how this administration’s new tone might translate into real and lasting change.

Be a part of the conversation. Join us for this live virtual event on Thursday March 11 at noon EST. Please click here to RSVP – a link will be sent to you via email immediately prior to the event to join. 

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. Questions will be addressed during the live event as time permits. 

In solidarity,

Kimahli Powell