Asylumconnect Information

It is still illegal to be gay in 70 countries. Every year, thousands of LGBTQ people are forced to flee their home countries due to persecution based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Many will seek LGBTQ asylum in hopes of living freely. But upon arrival in their new home, LGBTQ asylum seekers often struggle to find local services which are both LGBTQ-affirming and immigrant-friendly. LGBTQ people continue to face discrimination in health care, shelters and the wider social services sector due to their LGBTQ identity. LGBTQ immigrants, especially asylum seekers and the undocumented, face additional challenges due to their uncertain legal status. AsylumConnect is a tech nonprofit providing the first ever digital platform for LGBTQ asylum. Launched in 2016, AsylumConnect's flagship product (the AsylumConnect catalog) is the first online resource database for LGBTQ asylum. AsylumConnect provides the first and only resource website and app designed to address the holistic needs of persecuted and marginalized LGBTQ people. LGBTQ asylum seekers and related LGBTQ populations (such as LGBTQ undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ homeless or isolated youth) can use AsylumConnect as a free one-stop-shop to meet their needs in all aspects of their lives, including where it is safe to go for help with: housing, legal, food, medical, mental health, community, education and employment, and more. Service providers and lawyers can also use AsylumConnect to gather verified referrals for LGBTQ clients. AsylumConnect is founded on the belief that there should never be a time when someone does not know where it is safe to go for help due to their LGBTQ identity or immigration status. Since 2016, AsylumConnect has helped more than 10,000 unique users find verified LGBTQ-and immigrant-friendly services in the U.S. Supporters include: the UN, Roddenberry Foundation, Clinton Foundation, U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants, HRC, and others.