WELCOME TO TRANS RESCUE
At Trans Rescue, we are dedicated to helping trans individuals and people from the broader queer community escape life-threatening situations in some of the world’s most dangerous regions. With over 165 successful rescues, including the Middle East and Africa, our mission is saving lives, one rescue at a time.
Image: Aleksandar Popovski/Unsplash
Love trumps Hate
Show your love and support by helping us save lives today.
THE GROWING CRISIS
LGBTQI+ people now face criminalization in over 70 countries, some of which impose the death penalty. They endure persecution, incarceration, violence, family rejection, and loss of employment and education.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International report that many thousands of LGBTQI+ individuals are imprisoned worldwide. Because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the majority routinely face torture and sexual abuse while incarcerated.
Seeking asylum is often their only hope, but the journey is dangerous and difficult.
HOW WE HELP
We are dedicated to protecting and supporting trans people and the broader queer community in escaping life-threatening persecution, utilizing a comprehensive approach that includes:
Emergency Evacuation: We coordinate and execute emergency evacuations, extracting individuals from life-threatening environments.
Safe Relocation: We endeavor to relocate individuals to countries or regions where they can live freely and safely, away from persecution.
Holistic Support: We offer support services where possible including legal assistance, housing, medical care, and psychological counseling.
Image: Youssef Naddam/Unsplash
MOVING PEOPLE TO SAFETY
We carry out our operations securely, utilizing regular air or train travel. Passengers present valid documentation at border controls, adhering to international laws and protocols. Helping someone escape danger involves multiple steps, from moving from an abusive home to temporary housing, waiting for visas, and finally finding a safe, long-term refuge. This waiting game can be challenging.
EMPOWERING LEADERS FOR CHANGE
We recognize the profound impact our work has on the lives we save, preserving the immense potential of the brave, tenacious individuals we rescue who demonstrate true resilience and determination. However, advocating for change within their home countries is nearly impossible; simply existing as queer is illegal. By providing a lifeline, we are nurturing future leaders who can advocate for human rights from beyond their borders and are uniquely positioned to create real change. If they cannot escape from relentless persecution, their potential—and the potential for meaningful change for queer people within oppressive regimes—could be lost, and there may be no one else to step up.
Image: Hudson Hintze/Unsplash
SUCCESSFUL RESCUES
ALONZO’S ESCAPE FROM COLOMBIAN AND AMERICAN ABUSE
Alonzo Obrega, a gay man from Colombia, was tortured and sexually assaulted by police in his home country. Fearing for his life, he fled to the U.S., where he was detained by ICE and further abused.
His attorney arranged for Alonzo to voluntarily return to Colombia—just long enough for us to get him out again. We supported him through the return, secured his passage, and got him to safety in the Netherlands.
This marks a turning point for us: our first extraction from the United States—a country that is no longer safe.
Image: Bhuvanesh Gupta/Unsplash
URGENT RESCUES
Daaem: A New Voice in Engineering
Daaem is a recent graduate in electronic engineering from a prestigious university in Qatar, identifying as a “newly cracked egg” in her transition to a woman. Growing increasingly interested in software engineering, she seeks opportunities to kickstart her career in the EU. With many of our core staff hailing from the tech industry, we believe Daaem is a talented engineer who simply needs to escape Qatar to thrive.
Toni: Balancing Transition and Professional Aspirations
Toni is a trans woman residing in a South American country with technical training. Like many others, she has battled mental health challenges during her transition, making it difficult for her to secure employment. Trans Rescue is committed to helping her find a job in a more supportive environment, understanding that her path to stability is complex.
Aida: Seeking Stability Beyond Graduation
Aida is an Algerian trans woman studying in the UK on a student visa. After transitioning in a supportive environment, she faces the impending expiration of her visa following graduation. As she navigates her next steps, we are helping her explore alternatives to returning to Algeria, where dangers for trans individuals loom.
Eden House: A Shelter Under Siege
By August 2024, Eden House, a Trans Rescue shelter, housed Egyptians, Ugandans, and Kenyans. Following an attack by local authorities, we split our passengers for safety. The Egyptians chose Lebanon as their next destination, supported by us. However, the recent Israeli invasion of Lebanon threatens their security, and we urgently need to assist them in finding temporary refuge.
JOIN US IN SAVING LIVES
DONATE NOW
Your financial contributions are vital in helping us rescue individuals from life-threatening situations. Every donation makes a significant impact.
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Join our dedicated team of volunteers who are passionately working to support the trans and queer community. Your time and talents can help save lives.
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FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Put the fun in fundraising by throwing a Party with a Purpose. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a grand gala, your event can make a meaningful impact.
Thanks to a €2,000 grant from Fonds de Trut for the East African Trans Decarceration project, Trans Rescue can continue urgent decarceration efforts in East Africa helping trans people escape unjust detention, access legal aid, and move to safety.