rights
US no longer refuge for LGBTQ refugees
By Devon Matthews at Washington Blade
· June 21, 2026
· 3 min read
I have spent the past eight years leading programs at Rainbow Railroad that support LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution and violence. What began as a small, volunteer-led effort has grown over the past two decades into an international organization that has supported more than 50,000 people around th
Key takeaway In 2025, Rainbow Railroad received a record 20,215 requests for help from people around the world.
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: Washington Blade ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? I have spent the past eight years leading programs at Rainbow Railroad that support LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution and violence. What began as a small, volunteer-led effort has grown over the past two decades into an international organization that has supported more than 50,000 people around th
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by Washington Blade and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Devon Matthews at Washington Blade. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .