Various key LGBTQI figures have confirmed their participation in the Refugees, Borders and Immigration Summit taking place next year in Malmö during WorldPride
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS, IMAGE BY CHARLOTTE STRMWALL
With more than 70 countries around the world still criminalising same-sex relationships, many LGBTQI people are affected by human rights abuse and persecution in their home countries.
LGBTQI migrants, asylum seekers and refugees are often forgotten in the debate on migration and the challenges faced by LGBTQI people.
During next year’s Copenhagen 2021 celebrations – WorldPride and EuroGames a whole day will be dedicated to these issues during the international Refugees, Borders and Immigration Summit.
On 20 August 2021 several hundred activists, politicians and representatives of human rights organisations will meet at Malmö Live to discuss the situation and rights of LGBTQI refugees. The event will be live-streamed to reach the largest possible audience and so that it can easily be adapted if Covid-19 restrictions prevent the physical event from taking place.
An important part is to draw attention to refugees’ lived experiences. People who have fled oppression and persecution due to sexual orientation or gender expression will be telling their stories at the Summit.
The key LGBTQI figures who have confirmed their participation in the Refugees, Borders and Immigration Summit taking place in Malmo next year, include: Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Alice Bah Kuhnke, member of the European Parliament.
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: “We at UNHCR welcome the opportunity to bring greater attention to the tragic experiences of LGBTIQ+ people forced to flee their countries simply because of who they are. Copenhagen 2021 will present an important moment for experts, activists and decision makers from around the globe to listen to the experiences of those forced into exile because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and to work with them to alleviate their suffering and find solutions to their plight.”
For more information about WorldPride 2021 and how you can get involved, click here.
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