IDAHOBIT 2025 Statement – On Behalf of LGBTQ+ Refugees in Gorom, South Sudan
Today, as the world marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, we must turn our eyes to East Africa—where LGBTQ+ refugees continue to face systemic persecution, violence, and abandonment by the very structures meant to protect human dignity.
From Kakuma in Kenya to Gorom in South Sudan, LGBTQ+ refugees are not safe. We fled from our home countries because of who we are—hoping for safety—but even in refugee settlements, we face discrimination, threats, and exclusion.
Why are we still treated as criminals for simply being ourselves? Why do our identities justify our neglect? State actors, both in our countries of origin and in host countries, continue to treat us with hostility instead of humanity.
We are raising our voices today—because we have no voice in the systems that decide our fate. We are excluded from protection, excluded from services, and excluded from resettlement processes.
The South Sudanese government is now willing to provide us with exit permits. This is a rare opening, but we need third-country governments—especially those in the Global North—to step in. We call on resettlement countries to create special slots for LGBTQ+ refugees from Gorom. We ask for safe passage, for protection, and for dignity.
We are people—deserving of rights, safety, and a future.
This material used with permission. This blog ©2025 Geoff Allshorn. All rights for this article returned to the author.