AT RISK AND IN SEARCH SAFETY: LGBTI REFUGEES
A briefing for Congressional staff on the protection challenges faced by lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) refugees and the role of the United States in
providing protection and solutions
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Capitol/House Visitors Center (HVC) 200
Throughout the world lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) persons are targets of persecution, including death threats, torture, detention, assaults on their person, or other acts of biasmotivated violence committed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Please join an expert panel comprised of first responders working directly with LGBTI refugees in Uganda, Lebanon, Turkey, Kenya and South Africa. Panelists will discuss the particular challenges faced by LGBTI refugees, efforts to address those challenges systematically through advocating for changes in policy and programming, and their experiences providing direct assistance to LGBTI refugees seeking safety and protection from persecution, either in their countries of first asylum or through resettlement to third countries such as the United States.
OPENING REMARKS BY SENATOR KRISTEN GILLIBRAND (D-NY) (invited) and REPRESENTATIVE
TAMMY BALDWIN (D-WI/2nd) (invited)
PANELISTS:
GEORGE AZZI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARAB FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM & EQUALITY (LEBANON)
CHRIS DOLAN, DIRECTOR, REFUGEE LAW PROJECT (UGANDA)
ANNE MWANGI-WAMBUGU, SEXUAL & GENDER-BASED PERSECUTION PROGRAM MANAGER, HEBREW
MMIGRANT AID SOCIETY (HIAS) REFUGEE TRUST OF KENYA
RACHEL LEVITAN, DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY, ORAM – ORGANIZATION FOR REFUGEE ASYLUM &
MIGRATION
HATEM SHAMS, HEARTLAND ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN HEALTH & HUMAN NEEDS
ANNIE SOVCIK, ADVOCACY COUNSEL, HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST (MODERATOR)
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Senate GLASS Caucus 