
End-of-year review 2024: Reason for fleeing: queer – Queer Refugees Germany – challenges and hopes
As 2024 draws to a close, we look back on twelve intense months full of challenges, successes and passionate commitment.
For the team of ‘Reason for fleeing: queer- Queer Refugees Germany’, it’s been a year that has challenged and encouraged us in equal measure – a year that shows how far we’ve come, but also how far we still have to go.
Strong together in turbulent times
We’ve provided counselling and support to over 1,070 people this year (as of 05/12/2024, 12:00 pm), both in Germany and abroad. Each of these interactions highlights how urgent our work is. Whether it’s providing advice and referrals, online training, or awareness workshops, our mission to empower queer refugees is more important today than ever before.
In 2024, one focus of our work was on raising awareness and providing further training for key stakeholders. We trained employees in over 20 municipalities across Germany to make them aware of the particular needs of queer refugees. We also offered more than 10 online workshops for integration course instructors under the slogan ‘Diversity Welcome’. The aim was to raise awareness among participants about sexual and gender diversity while also empowering queer migrants. These training courses are an essential building block for promoting openness and acceptance in the integration process.
Training for interpreters was also particularly important. As interpreters in asylum proceedings, they play a crucial role, since queer refugees have to describe their need for protection in court. Insensitive or queer-hostile behaviour on the part of the interpreters can prompt those affected to conceal their identity, which can significantly impair the asylum process and lead to fatal misjudgements.
Solidarity and development
In addition to providing training and information material, our team also remains active in networking: we’ve networked with other experts at a total of 23 national and international conferences and exchange meetings. Exchanging ideas with colleagues helps us to continuously expand our knowledge and further improve the quality and efficacy of our services.
A year of global and local challenges
The international situation for LGBTIQ+Q+ people remains concerning. With people facing issues ranging rom persecution in Russia, Uganda, Iran, Nigeria and over 60 other countries to the barriers faced by queer refugees in European asylum systems, it’s clear that solidarity and support are desperately needed. The reduction of the federal admission programme for Afghanistan has hit us hard – and with every additional request from those affected that we’re unable to adequately respond to, our resolve grows to continue fighting for fair and humane solutions.
Even at the national level, there’s still a great deal of uncertainty. Political instability and the uncertain future of project financing present us with challenges that go far beyond the everyday office routine. At the same time queerphobia, hatred, anti-feminism and intolerance is on the rise in parts of society. Developments like these are unnerving, but we can’t let them discourage us.
Thanks to everyone who stands by our side
What gives us courage, despite all the adversity, are the people and organisations that work with us.
A special thanks goes to the countless volunteers and activists who fight every day, often behind the scenes, sometimes putting their own safety at risk. You’re the reason why we remain hopeful despite all the setbacks.
Looking ahead
2025 won’t be an easy year either, that much is certain. But we’re tackling it knowing that we’re not alone. Every training session, every piece of advice, every little bit of support can change a person’s life – and each of these changes is a step towards a fairer and more humane world.
Let us continue to speak out, stand up for diversity and solidarity, and work together to create a society in which everyone can live a dignified and self-determined life.