LGBTQI people are not safe in Afghanistan

As the Taliban have have returned to power there are reports that LGBTQI+ people are facing acts of violence and that 'kill lists' are circulating with the names of LGBTQI+ people and activists.

Kimahli Powell, the executive director of Rainbow Railroad, highlights that "LGBTQ organizing is really limited in Afghanistan for multiple reasons, including Afghanistan being in a perpetual state of war and the criminalizing of consensual same sex conduct. There’s limited human rights defenders to go to and there are limited organizations that provide support." 

Using the edpsy community to support Rainbow Railroad

We want to raise at least £1000 in the next three weeks, to support the fantastic efforts of Rainbow Railroad in helping LGBTQI+ people in Afghanistan right now. 

Outside help, though donations or pressuring governments is crucial for Rainbow Railroad's work. 

About Rainbow Railroad

Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm. 

Around the world LGBTQI+ people continue to face oppression; in almost 70 countries there are laws that criminalize same sex intimacy and discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In eight countries same sex intimacy is punishable by death. The global refugee crisis is exasperating the plight of LGBTQI people worldwide. Rainbow Railroad exists to provide a solution to this problem, to provide solutions for individuals facing imminent danger and to get them to safety.