Our mission is to relieve poverty for LGBTQIA+ refugees living in Türkiye by providing the basic necessities of life; and to relieve poverty by sponsoring, providing financial and resettlement assistance toLGBTQIA+ refugees in Türkiye who have fled because of persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identification and, as victims of human rights abuses; and to undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the attainment of the above charitable purpose.

The International Railroad for Queer Refugees was founded in 2008 by acclaimed queer rights activist Arsham Parsi with the goal of helping fellow queer refugees ease the transition from persecution to resettlement. Since then, IRQR has helped process over 1900 refugee claims and provided support and counseling to hundreds of refugees fleeing suppressive anti-LGBTQIA+ laws and social stigma in their home countries.

While sexual orientation and gender expression have been declared protected human rights by Canada, the European Union and 65 signatories of the United Nations Statement on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, many countries still actively oppress and victimize LGBTQIA+ individuals. LGBTQIA+ refugees are often escaping state-sponsored physical and psychological abuse, social exclusion, and violence, arriving on foreign shores and transition countries with severe trauma that remains untreated. At IRQR we strive to provide counseling and support for these refugees, caring for their mental as well as physical needs as they await approval for their asylum claim. Through donations, we are able to provide much-needed education and financial support for these refugees in transit countries.

The majority of our refugees make their asylum claim in Türkiye, which serves as the main transition country for many LGBTQIA+ refugees fleeing Middle Eastern countries. IRQR works to connect refugees with local UNHCR offices and provides support throughout the process of transition from refugee camp to their new adoptive homes. Knowing this can be a huge culture shock for refugees, IRQR aims to improve resettlement success rates by providing referrals for employment, housing, and legal aid. We work to build social support networks and help refugees through emotional and health-related issues.

IRQR is also committed to campaigning for the end of LGBTQIA+ human rights violations. Through trips to Türkiye, we gather on the ground information about the current plights of refugees, their stories, and feedback about IRQR activities. We strive to educate the public about these issues through media campaigns and participation in high-profile events. As the world changes so to refugee needs and perspectives, and IRQR is dedicated to reflecting these changes in our work.

In the last few years, we have been able to build a simple structure and focus upon enabling queer asylum seekers to be safe on their journey and arrive in a new country to live freely without fear of persecution. We hold consultations with about 90 clients per week and have an 83% success rate with refugees who have looked to IRQR for help. Working closely with UNHRC, governments, and other non-profits, we are dedicated to a holistic approach to aliening suppression and fear of LGBTQIA+ refugees until persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is a thing of the past.

Compassion – We provide exceptional services to our clients with empathy, sensitivity and understanding.

Integrity – We act in a professional and ethical manner to provide exceptional services.

Continuous Improvement – We have the desire to develop and incorporate ways to improve services.

Dedication – We strive to realize positive results to ensure LGBT individuals achieve asylum.

Trust – We foster trust and community among LGBTs to bolster the pillars of the Iranian queer.