In September, ORAM Director of Advocacy Rachel Levitan visited Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria to interview LGBTI refugees on the challenges they face waiting for asylum in South Africa. ORAM conducted more than 60 interviews with refugees, representatives from non-governmental organizations, the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) and the South African government.    

LGBTI refugees flee to South Africa to escape persecution in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo and other nations in the region. Only a few organizations provide LGBTI refugees with assistance for housing, work and basic survival. In addition, refugees face the double marginality of being in both a country with a prevalence of xenophobic attacks and a country that experiences its own trans- and homophobia.

The research now being analyzed will be shared back as a report in 2012 that identifies key barriers and provides recommendations on ways to better protect LGBTI refugees seeking safety in the "Rainbow Nation."    

ORAM interns and staff at the Castro Street Fair

Students from universities and law schools around the world form a core part of our research and advocacy team. They gain valuable experience and knowledge while assisting refugees, researching challenges refugees face and learning how policies are shaped. Communications Intern Ashley Hoskins spoke to some of our interns about their experiences. Click the names below to learn more!

Ami Dave is in her final year at Boston University School of Law. She is investigating the challenges LGBTI refugees face when seeking asylum around the world.

Taira Ishikura is an undergraduate working towards his degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of California. He is partnering with LGBTI senior groups as part of our San Francisco Bay Area Pilot Refugee Resettlement Program.

Sunyata Kopriva recently returned from her position as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso. She is connecting ORAM with the San Francisco Bay Area arts community to support the resettlement of LGBTI refugees.

Michael Sisitzky is in his third year at Georgetown University Law Center, and is a legal fellow in Washington, D.C. He is assisting with our worldwide survey of the attitudes of NGOs toward LGBTI refugees.  

Phillip Wu is in his first year at the University of San Francisco Law School, and is helping ORAM connect with LGBTI communities of faith to form networks of support for newly resettled LGBTI refugees in San Francisco.