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ORAM

ORAM is a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting LGBTIQ asylum seekers
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ORAM is a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the world’s most vulnerable refugees.

03/03/2026

This Women’s History Month, we honor the strength, resilience, and leadership of LBTIQ women refugees around the world. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Emelda, a bisexual refugee from Uganda, arrived in Kenya after fleeing an abusive marriage — leaving behind her children and stepping into uncertainty with little support.

Determined to rebuild her life, Emelda enrolled in ORAM’s job skills training program — part of our broader economic empowerment work supporting LGBTIQ refugees facing layered discrimination in displacement. While learning makeup services, she discovered a passion for barbering.

“Barbering gives me pride and purpose. It’s a unique skill — and it reminds me to celebrate my own uniqueness.”

Through skills training, mentorship, and seed funding, ORAM works to ensure LGBTIQ refugees have the tools to build sustainable livelihoods and independence. Today, Emelda runs her own barbershop and mentors other LGBTIQ refugees.

“I do all of this for my children.”

As we mark Women’s History Month, we remain committed to protecting, empowering, and investing in the leadership of LBTIQ women refugees worldwide.

Read Emelda’s full story here: https://www.oramrefugee.org/post/a-fresh-start-in-a-barber-s-chair

02/27/2026

When Valencia’s housing suddenly became unstable late last year, she found herself facing uncertainty all over again.

A transgender woman from Jamaica, Valencia has spent nearly a decade navigating the complex and exhausting asylum process in Germany. But when discrimination forced her to leave her home, finding a new place to live proved even more difficult. Messages went unanswered. Doors closed.

“I kept asking myself, what would I do? If I didn’t find something, what would happen?”

In that moment, Valencia searched online and discovered ORAM’s short-term housing program — made possible by Airbnb.org. That support gave her something invaluable: time to breathe, regroup, and begin rebuilding with dignity.

As we close out Black History Month, we invite you to read Valencia’s story and learn how short-term housing can be a lifeline for LGBTIQ asylum seekers.

Read more in our new blog post: https://www.oramrefugee.org/post/it-gave-me-time-to-breathe-how-short-term-housing-helped-valencia-rebuild

02/24/2026

Four years ago, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today, Ukraine enters its fifth year of war.

For many, the headlines have shifted. But for millions of Ukrainians — including LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers — the impact continues every day.

From the earliest days of the invasion, ORAM responded by providing safe, short-term emergency housing for LGBTIQ Ukrainians forced to flee. That work continues today across three continents, ensuring that q***r refugees have access to protection, stability, and community.

As Zhenya, a nonbinary Ukrainian activist and artist, shared:
“The war may no longer be at the top of the news… but that doesn’t mean people have stopped struggling.”

On this anniversary, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine — and especially with LGBTIQ refugees navigating displacement with resilience and courage.

Read Zhenya’s story and hear more voices from LGBTIQ Ukrainians in our blog: https://www.oramrefugee.org/blog

02/20/2026

Want to stay informed on what’s happening for LGBTIQ refugees around the world? 🌍

Our February newsletter goes out next week — and we’d love to have you on the list.

When you subscribe, you’ll receive:
• Updates on global policy and refugee rights
• Stories from LGBTIQ refugees and program participants
• Behind-the-scenes insights from ORAM’s work across regions
• Opportunities to take action and support the movement

If you’ve recently started following ORAM, this is the best way to stay connected.

Subscribe today so you don’t miss next week’s edition: https://oramrefugee.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3cb714804e4431352d4318c4c&id=5c9b305d69&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

02/18/2026

Franklin, a gay refugee from Honduras now living in Mexico City, shared:

“ORAM is one of the very few organizations that has never shut the door in my face…with even a small contribution, you can change lives.”

For LGBTIQ refugees navigating displacement, safety and opportunity are never guaranteed. But access to safe housing, economic empowerment, and community can make all the difference.

Your gift to ORAM helps ensure that LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers in transit countries are met with open doors — not closed ones.

One of the most powerful ways to make a lasting impact is by becoming a sustaining supporter. Monthly giving provides steady, reliable funding that allows ORAM to protect, empower, and advocate for LGBTIQ refugees throughout 2026 and beyond.

Make your gift today: https://give.oramrefugee.org/give/421898/ #!/donation/checkout

And learn more about Franklin’s journey on our blog: https://www.oramrefugee.org/post/a-true-friend-and-a-chance-to-begin-again

02/13/2026

Last month, Anja Limon, ORAM’s Director of Programs, celebrated an incredible milestone — nine years with ORAM. 💙

As ORAM’s longest-serving staff member and a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, Anja has helped guide the growth and evolution of our programs, expanding support to reach hundreds of LGBTIQ refugees each year.

Her expertise, steady leadership, and deep commitment to refugee protection have strengthened ORAM’s work across regions and ensured that our programs remain responsive, impactful, and community-centered.

Swipe through to see a few moments from Anja’s journey over the past nine years — and join us in celebrating Anja in the comments! 🎉

02/10/2026

ORAM is bringing our economic empowerment program — a core pillar of our work with LGBTIQ refugees — to Mexico City for the first time. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇲🇽

This pilot program was designed in three phases:
• Listening & diagnosis
• Capacity-building and entrepreneurship training
• Seed funding

We’re now in the final phase, and we’re proud to share that seven LGBTIQ refugee-owned businesses have received seed funding to help launch and grow their enterprises. 👏

Take a look at a few moments from the workshops — and stay tuned as we share more about these projects and the people behind them.

02/06/2026

After six years of service, Perry Witkin and Rajiv Desai have concluded their final terms as members of ORAM’s Board of Directors.

During their tenure, Perry and Rajiv helped guide ORAM through a period of growth and transition, supporting the expansion of programs that protect and empower LGBTIQ refugees globally.

Based in Minnesota and Berlin, home to ORAM’s U.S. and Europe headquarters, they brought valuable perspectives to ORAM’s governance and strategic direction.

We are grateful for their time, care, and commitment to ORAM’s mission. Please join us in thanking Perry and Rajiv for their service.

02/05/2026

ORAM closed out 2025 in Kakuma with a moment of pride and celebration as nearly a dozen LGBTIQ refugees graduated from a skills training course in hairdressing and beauty therapy. 🎓

After five months of dedication and hard work, each graduate received a certificate at the November ceremony — a meaningful step toward applying their skills and earning income within the camp and surrounding community.

One participant, who completed the course with high marks, was selected to speak on behalf of the class, delivering a powerful address that reflected the commitment and resilience of the group.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and wish them continued success as they build their futures. ❤️

02/03/2026

Meet Dali (they/them) — a nonbinary human rights activist from Uganda.

For Dali, leaving home was not a choice; it was a matter of survival.

“I left because of the situation that is happening in Uganda. I was working as a human rights activist with one of the leading transgender organizations fighting for transgender rights,” they shared.

With a visa to attend a conference — and the support of fellow human rights defenders — Dali reached Germany and sought asylum.

Less than a year into their life in Berlin, Dali has begun building a sense of community, in part through ORAM’s economic empowerment and community workshops.

“To be able to have a life and have space to share our experiences — like the drag makeup workshop — everyone was happy. For that moment, we forgot the issues we’re going through.”

Community, connection, and chosen family can be life-changing.

Read Dali’s full story in our new blog post: https://www.oramrefugee.org/post/finding-family-and-freedom

01/29/2026

Last Friday, the Trump administration announced an unprecedented and dangerous expansion of the Global Gag Rule — a move that weaponizes U.S. foreign assistance and puts millions of lives at risk.

Historically, the Global Gag Rule restricted foreign organizations receiving U.S. funds from providing or even discussing abortion care. Now, for the first time, this policy has been greatly expanded and applies to all non-military U.S. foreign aid, including humanitarian assistance — and reaches U.S.-based NGOs, UN partners, and even other governments.

This expansion goes far beyond reproductive health. It:
• Silences organizations working to protect LGBTIQ rights.
• Bans funding efforts to advance gender equality and inclusion.
• Expands harmful abortion restrictions.

This expanded Global Gag Rule is unprecedented — and it will cause real harm to q***r refugees and the global LGBTIQ community more broadly.

ORAM condemns this unprecedented weaponization of foreign aid and joins calls from across the humanitarian and human rights sectors, urging Congress to oppose gag rules in all their forms.

01/26/2026

As an organization with deep roots in Minneapolis and a community of staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters in the area, ORAM stands with the people of Minnesota following recent acts of violence at the hands of federal immigration enforcement agents.

While ORAM’s programs are focused outside the United States, we unequivocally reject intimidation, harassment, and violence against communities everywhere — including refugees, asylum seekers and citizens alike — and we join voices across the humanitarian, labor, faith, and civil rights sectors calling for peaceful de-escalation, transparency, and an end to ICE occupation in Minnesota.

We honor the memory of those lost and stand in solidarity with all Minnesotans working toward justice, accountability, and community safety. Wherever you are, we encourage you to learn more about efforts to support affected communities and consider ways to stand in solidarity:

- Stand with Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- Alight Supporting our Minnesota Community: https://www.wearealight.org/stories/supporting-our-minnesota-community

Address

1325 Quincy Street NE Ste A1
Minneapolis, MN
55413

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16126825044

Website

http://oramrefugee.org/

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