The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) and Equal Asia Foundation (EqualAF) partnered on a project to improve digital empathy for LGBTIQ+ refugees in Thailand. ‘Not Always Rainbows’ is a short film on the experiences of LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced persons in the country and a dialogue built towards better responses to their protection needs. We hope that this film can be an advocacy tool to increase protection for LGBTIQ+ refugees. This event and film were made possible with the invaluable contributions from the rainbow community and the support of the U.S. Government.
BACKGROUND TO EVENT
LGBTIQ+ refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world and confront significant barriers when seeking to secure international refugee protection. LGBTIQ+ refugees in Thailand can face abusive arbitrary arrests, harassment and discrimination, and the issues they encounter in the country are often understudied and under-recognised. This event aims to have LGBTIQ+ self-represent and amplify their nuanced needs and vulnerabilities in order to help us build a better understanding of the challenges they face. We hope that this would lead to better protection, durable solutions, and innovative assistance for the community.