The goal of LGBT Asylum is to improve conditions and rights for LGBTQI+ people who seek asylum or have been granted asylum in Denmark, by assisting and advising throughout the asylum and integration process and by offering a social network. The organisation helps to improve participants' basic and practical living conditions during their asylum and integration process, and advocates for and with them in relevant political arenas.
 
LGBT Asylum was started by LGBTQI+ people who themselves have applied for asylum in Denmark. That legacy is valued highly. Persons seeking asylum (asylum activists), and refugees (refugee activists) must have the greatest possible ownership and influence on the association's work and their own lives. This means working actively to include asylum activists and refugee activists in as many decisions and processes as possible. The organisation has a queer-to-queer-approach, so all volunteers identify as LGBTQI+. New asylum seekers or refugees in the group are assigned a volunteer contact person or mentor.

Photo showing Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen (yellow shirt). Source: LGBT Asylum, 2024.

LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and refugees in Denmark.

LGBT Asylum's target group is LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and LGBTQI+ refugees. Individuals within this group often flee their home countries alone and are at risk of living in isolation. Many suffered traumatising experiences in their country of origin or on their journey to Denmark.
 
When granted asylum and refugee status, new arrivals to Denmark can be placed in housing anywhere in the country, sometimes in a region far away from the LGBTQI+ communities of the big cities. LGBT Asylum therefore provides informative material to ensure that asylum centres in different regions and various stakeholders – including those operating the centres – are aware of LGBT Asylum and refer newcomers in the target group to the organisation. Volunteers and staff from LGBT Asylum also regularly visit asylum centres.

Mentorship programme

Since 2023, the initiative offers a one-on-one mentoring programme for recognised refugees, putting them in contact with a local citizen who can provide advice, support, and empowerment, and facilitate links with other networks.

Saturday meetings

Almost every month, LGBT Asylum hosts a social event, often centred around a ‘community dinner.’ It takes place in Copenhagen, and is an opportunity for LGBTQI-identifying people to meet others in the same situation. Saturday meetings have different themes, including Copenhagen Pride, Winter Pride, MIX film festival, and workshops about e.g. sexual health with the AIDS Foundation.

Camps

3 weekends a year, trips to a cabin are arranged for the whole group. The programme includes various themes and activities, such as yoga, talks and debates about e.g. sexual health, the Danish integration programme, tackling racism, and education for refugees in Denmark. The purpose is also purely a social one, allowing people to spend quality time getting to know each other.

Events and advocacy

The organisation has arranged numerous political debates, film screenings, workshops, and exhibitions over the years. It has also been active in reporting to various European and UN committees on human rights in Denmark.

Since its establishment, the initiative has supported more than 600 people. Today, the group comprises approximately 70 people who have applied for asylum based on their LGBTQI+ identity, 150 LGBTQI+ refugees with a temporary residence permit and 40 volunteers. 

Over the years, LGBT Asylum has helped many to obtain their rights in relation to international protection and helped them to establish a new life as part of Danish society. LGBT Asylum has been an essential resource, network, and psychosocial LGBTQI+ community for many newcomers. Moreover, it has succeeded in creating increased sensitivity and awareness among various stakeholders – public authorities and civil society organisations – about the specific situation, challenges, and needs of LGBTQI+ persons applying for asylum or living with refugee status in Denmark.

In 2023 and 2024, an external evaluation of LGBT Asylum was carried out by Als Research. The evaluation showed the importance of the initiative as an essential resource and network for newcomers, and highlighted positive feedback from public and civil society stakeholders.

LGBT Asylum relies on the work of 40 - 60 volunteers, plus a 7-person secretariat which is paid to take care of administration and the organising of events. Its financial base has grown substantially over the last couple of years, helping the organisation to act more consistently and to reach more people. The initiative receives diverse public funding and counts a few big foundations among its donors.

The total budget for LGBT Asylum for 2024 amounts to 4.2 million DKK (560 000 EUR). 50% of this comes from private foundations, 25% from state funding and 25% from municipality funding. This is a significant increase since 2023, when the total budget was 1.7 million DKK.