Executive Summary
In 2024, there were 8.4 million asylum-seekers globally (1). Research on migration has more recently begun to examine the particular experiences of refugees who are gender and sexual minorities (2). In 2019, one conservative estimate figured the number of global migrants marginalized by gender and sexual identity between 1.36 and 2.7 million (3). Yet, there is no systemic data specific to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) population (4).
With over 6 million Ukrainian migrants worldwide (5), LGBTQI+ Ukrainian refugees face many challenges regarding safety, security, and health and well-being amid the Russian invasion. Many LGBTQI+ Ukrainians fleeing the war have faced discrimination in neighboring countries, particularly in Poland, where LGBTQ+ rights are a contentious issue.
Although in 2024, the Biden administration increased funding for LGBTQI+ community programs abroad from $6 million in 2021 to $25 million, the second Trump administration has moved sharply in the opposite direction (6). At the time of this writing, the Trump administration has paused U.S. foreign aid and decided to no longer fund organizations working on issues involving diversity, equity, and inclusion (7). Because many programs that served LGBTQI+ people were specifically focused on increasing this community’s equitable access to resources, funding for these programs has thus been halted.
Now more than ever, the global community must protect LGBTQI+ people impacted by crises such as war, and who are also facing a sudden lack of access to resources and funding.
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Numerous policy documents from various organizations, including the Williams Institute and United Nations, have addressed the needs of LGBTQI+ refugees (3, 4). These sources point to the many gaps remaining regarding access to humanitarian aid for populations such as transgender and intersex individuals. Furthermore, while the crisis of the war in Ukraine has been much discussed in the public sphere, there is limited academic or policy research existing regarding the experiences and needs of LGBTQI+ populations, and the measures taken by the humanitarian community to provide needed aid.
This project helps fill these gaps by uncovering the ways humanitarian organizations have and have not been able to meet the needs of LGBTQI+ persons fleeing the war in Ukraine, and what solutions might be offered amid an unprecedentedly fraught and precarious global funding landscape.
Compounded Vulnerabilities
LGBTQI+ Ukrainian refugees face intersecting vulnerabilities due to war, systemic discrimination, and the ongoing slashing of international funding, leaving them without access to safe housing, inclusive healthcare, or legal protections.
Grassroots Efforts to Fill Gaps
Grassroots organizations have filled crucial gaps, but there must be sustained governmental and international support. Otherwise, LGBTQI+ refugees remain at risk of marginalization, violence, and health crises.
Key Quotes
Activist
“For every LGBT [person] who stays in Ukraine… they and their partners are not protected by Ukrainian law. And for example, there can be some problems if one of the partner dies with property heritage, with access to a medical hospital to decisions about health of person, decisions about organ donations…”
Activist
“I think with the trans and intersex populations… a lot of it comes down to medication and having better access to doctors and nurses, and getting access to the medications that they need…”
Activist
“They’re heroes now, but at the same time… society doesn’t know how to communicate with militaries, with veterans… and this is why they ignore LGBT veterans in general.”