Empowering Change: ARF Secures £9,000 Grant to Champion LGBTIQ+ Refugee & Asylum Support

African Rainbow Family (ARF), a pioneering grassroots charity campaigning for racial justice and human rights for LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers of African heritage and the Global Majority, is thrilled to announce a funding milestone. The organization has successfully raised £9,000—a significant boost that will further empower its mission of building a supportive community while challenging prejudice in all its forms. Founded in 2014 by a courageous lesbian advocate in response to toxic and draconian anti-gay laws in several Commonwealth nations, ARF has grown into a national network driven by people who truly understand the issues at hand. This funding injection will be used to broaden essential support services for LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers, including lifesaving counselling, confidence-building initiatives, and empowerment activities designed to combat isolation. Moreover, the funds will help expand ARF’s outreach efforts and strengthen its campaigning activities for global LGBTIQ equality, particularly in areas ravaged by hate crimes, discrimination, and societal ignorance. With branches in Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds—sustained mostly by dedicated volunteers—ARF remains steadfast in its commitment to a world without prejudice. Every donation fuels their day-to-day operations, enabling them to influence government policies related to LGBT+ asylum claims and forge vital alliances with other social and political organizations. This achievement not only cements ARF's role as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities but also highlights the power of collective action. As ARF continues to uplift those in need, this newfound support marks a promising step toward ensuring that, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, everyone can say without reservation, “It’s OK to be different.”