Campaign launches to strengthen protections for Queer refugees

A coalition of refugee-serving organizations and activists has launched the Defend Refugees campaign to push the federal government to strengthen protections for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers amid growing concerns about anti-refugee rhetoric and restrictive policy changes.

The campaign, convened by The 519 and Rainbow Railroad, launched on June 19 during Pride Month and ahead of World Refugee Day and Toronto's Pride Festival weekend. Rainbow Railroad's Chief Communications and Advocacy Officer, Latoya Nugent, said the moment offers an opportunity to bring refugee issues into broader conversations about Queer and Trans rights. "Within the Queer and Trans community, we don't always elevate the issues of newcomers or refugees," Nugent told Queer & Now.

Advocates say the campaign is particularly urgent because the federal government has recently introduced measures impacting refugee claimants, including provisions within Bill C-12 and changes to refugee healthcare coverage. One major concern is a provision in Bill C-12 that places a one-year limit on asylum eligibility for those who first entered Canada after June 24, 2020, regardless of whether they have since left and reentered. This applies to all claims made on or after June 3, 2025.

Karlene Williams-Clarke, Director of Community Organizing at The 519, highlighted unique challenges facing 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees. "Some of the unique challenges include proving who they are, proving their sexual orientation and their gender identity," she said. "And retraumatizing themselves talking about the issues that they face and why they're fleeing their home countries."

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 41.6 million refugees worldwide at the end of 2025.