HRC Blog

Advocates Gather at HRC for ‘Equality Talk’ on LGBTI Refugees

May 18, 2012 by Eric Cameron, Digital Media Associate

Yesterday’s Equality Talk packed another full house at the HRC Equality Center.

Discussion focused on protections for LGBTI refugees from Uganda, Kenya and other parts of the world where LGBT people face a high risk of harm.

Watch video of the event here.

The Honorable Anne Richard, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, delivered opening remarks, echoing Secretary Clinton’s landmark proclamation that “LGBT rights are human rights” and describing vulnerable LGBT refugees as a “priority population of concern.”

Eleanor Acer and Duncan Breen of Human Rights First went on to introduce their organization’s newly released report, ‘The Road to Safety: Strengthening Protection of LGBTI Refugees in Uganda and Kenya.’

The report includes recommendations on improving protections, providing shelter, expediting resettlement and building NGO assistance networks for at-risk LGBTI refugees.

Larry Yungk of the UN Refugee Agency and Mark Bromley of the Council for Global Equality also spoke and answered questions.

The event coincided with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. If you missed the talk, full video is available at www.hrc.org/equalitytalks.