Many LGBT refugees have been left homeless in Athens since December 2022 because the EU-funded housing program ESTIA II for vulnerable refugees ended. Some could move to refugee camps, but fear of persecution and violence is high. Tabitha*, who now lives in Maison Chacha, said, “I never want to go back to that camp!” The trans woman fled a camp a year ago because she was beaten, taunted and raped there.

Maison Chacha, a 3-room apartment in central Athens, now provides shelter for Tabitha and other LGBT refugees. In addition, Ali, the project manager of Just Human, supports them in their asylum procedures and integration.

Protection, medical care, legal assistance

At Maison Chacha, LGBT refugees receive housing services as well as counseling, funds for living expenses, medical care, and legal assistance.

In order to be able to finance this offer, we are urgently dependent on donations.

The 3 LGBT refugees in “Maison Chacha” need:
– Living expenses monthly 100 € each
– Medication 40 € per month
– Warm clothes 100 € each
– Legal aid 400 € each
– Electricity/heating/water approx. 180 € per month

Persecution and death threats – human rights violations force to flee

Many members of the LGBT-Community have to flee their home countries because they are persecuted there and sometimes even threatened with death. Homosexuality is punishable in 69 states.

In Brunei, Iran, Yemen, Mauritania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, homosexual people are killed due to anti-human laws. In five other countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, and the United Arab Emirates), the death penalty is possible.

In many countries, both state authorities and church representatives* are involved in the persecution of LGBT. They often deny them any protection from hostility and violence.

Even in their countries of refuge, LGBT refugees often continue to face persecution and discrimination. They are often exploited, threatened, and experience psychological and physical violence.

The realization of human rights for LGBT is an important goal of Just Human.

In 2022, Just Human supported a total of 32 LGBT who had to flee war and persecution from Iran, China, Cameroon, DR Congo, Morocco, Tunisia and Ukraine. In addition, Just Human campaigns for LGBT human rights together with other committed people, e.g. as a member of ILGA, in the alliance “Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine” and in the AK LSBTTIQ of the city of Stuttgart.

Every donation enables support and is an effective sign of solidarity.

(*names changed)