LGBTQ refugees in the Gorom camp in South Sudan are threatened by forced eviction

The South Sudan government wants to force queer and trans refugees in the Gorom camp to move into Juba city, where they will have less protection and less support from the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

By Jack Molay

East Africa has become a very dark place to be queer, indeed. American fundamentalists are encouraging anti-LGBTQ policies in many of the countries in this area. Deep rooted cultural homophobia and transphobia does not help.

This has led to a complex pattern of queer people fleeing from one country to the other in hope of a better future. The immediate need is to seek refuge from violence and death in one’s own country. Another hope is to find a camp where one may be be relocated to another and more LGBTQ-friendly country.

The latter is the main reason for there being several hundred Ugandan LGBTQ refugees in the Gorom camp in South Sudan. Until Trump took over they had some chance of being granted asylum in the US.

The role of UNHCR

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has tried to protect LGBTQ refugees both in Gorom in South Sudan and in the Kakuma camp in Kenya. They have also managed to organize continuing support for all refugees in the camp, in spite of Trump’s dismantling of USAID.

In early April the South Sudanese authorities wanted to kick all the LGBTQ refugees out the camp, and at the time the UNHCR managed to stop this from taking place. Now, however, refugees in the camp report that the new policy is back in place. LGBTQ refugees tells us that the UNHCR has asked the refugees to move to Juba in a few days.

According to these refugees the UNHCR has told them refugees that the agency will provide them with support in Juba. However, the refugees have been told by the South Sudanese not to stay together in one place, and they have not been offered transportation or new homes. Given that they are very poor, this is a recipe for disaster.

The Goma camp is situated just outside Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The UNHCR response

Olga Sarrado, UNHCR Global Spokesperson for East Africa and the Horn of Africa, confirms to us that the agency is aware of the request by the Government of South Sudan, through the Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA), for LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers to relocate from the Gorom refugee settlement to Juba Town.

She says that the CRA, representing the South Sudan government, has based the request on the current security situation in Gorom, where hostility from host communities and local authorities toward the presence of LGBTIQ+ individuals has increased.

She continues:

While UNHCR has been working to process resettlement cases for extremely vulnerable refugees, including some LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers and others with protection needs, recent reductions in resettlement quotas have limited departures.

To date, only 49 asylum-seekers have been resettled to third countries. While efforts continue to secure additional resettlement opportunities, there is currently no immediate prospect of resettlement for most of these cases. Local integration in Juba or other parts of South Sudan is likely to be the most viable option for many.

Should LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers choose to move to Juba Town, UNHCR will continue to provide legal protection and advocate with humanitarian partners to ensure access to basic assistance for urban refugees.

In one way she is presenting moving out of Juba as something the refugees can chose to do, rather than something they will be forced to do. On the other hand, she also clearly acknowledges that the South Sudanese want to force them out.

She continues:

In addition, UNHCR is advocating with authorities to avoid any forced evictions from Gorom, as such actions would significantly heighten the security and survival risks for affected individuals. Unfortunately, neither UNHCR nor its partners currently have funding to provide an immediate life-saving response should forced relocation occur.

We take this to mean that the UNHCR have not given up their attempts to make the South Sudanese allowing the LGBTQ refugees to stay, but it seems to us that this hope is tenuous at best.

Homophobia and transphobia

Note that according to Sarrado, the reason the South Sudanese want to move the queer refugees into Juba, is that the host communities and the local communities are - in our words - homophobic and transphobic.

These anti-LGBTQ sentiments are also found among people in power. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has said homosexuality does not exist in South Sudan. Christian leaders, who have a lot of power in South Sudan, have simply denounced same-sex relationships as a “perversion”. The law prohibits “carnal intercourse against the order of nature”. Visas are not given to LGBTQ foreigners.

There is no reason to believe that people in Juba are less queerphobic than the communities around Gorom, and given that the LGBTQ refugees are asked to split up, they will have fewer means to defend themselves. Nor do they know people in Juba that may be of help. There is, for good reasons, no official LGBTQ organizations operating in Juba.

This may end in disaster.

Photo of Juba street scene: Erich Karnberger

Step by step, transgender people win in Montana

“Inch by inch, day by day, and legal battle after legal battle, trans Montanans are dismantling the unconstitutional laws proposed by Republicans meant to destroy trans lives, and indeed, trans life itself,” writes S. Baum over at Erin in the Morning.

A Montana judge has issued a preliminary injunction against HB 121, a law that would ban transgender and intersex individuals from using gender-separated public facilities that differ from their sex assigned at birth.

The ruling follows a temporary restraining order earlier this year, after legal rights groups like the ACLU challenged the law for violating Montanans’ right to privacy under the state constitution.

Judge Shane A. Vannatta found that the state failed to provide any evidence that the ban prevents sexual violence, dismissing its justification as disingenuous and based on conjecture.

The court emphasized that trans women are more likely to be victims of violence, and that forcing trans people to disclose their identity in public spaces increases their risk of harm.

State Representative Zooey Zephyr, who would be forced into men’s restrooms under the law, expressed optimism that Montana’s courts will continue to strike down anti-trans legislation.

For more, see Montana Judge Enjoins Bathroom Ban: “No Evidence” The Ban Prevents Violence

Photo: Cheri Alguire

Quilt installation in Washington DC celebrates transgender people

The Freedom to Be Monument, a 9,000-square-foot quilt installation on the National Mall, showcases messages of transgender pride and defiance.

Organized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the project invited trans individuals and allies to create quilt panels expressing their vision of freedom.

The installation coincides with WorldPride, an international LGBTQ+ festival, and comes amid escalating anti-trans policies from the Trump administration, including bans on gender-affirming care and restrictions on trans military service.

Speakers at the event, including Peppermint, a drag performer and ACLU Artist Ambassador, emphasized the resilience and joy of trans communities.

The quilt draws inspiration from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which was first displayed in 1987 to honor lives lost to HIV/AIDS. We hope the installation will serve as a powerful statement against political attacks on trans rights.

More here:

Art installation on National Mall shares trans voices of hope, defiance (archived here)

Massive quilt celebrating transgender Americans to be unveiled on the National Mall — in photos

What It Actually Looks Like When Trans People Follow Bathroom Bans

Uncloseted Media documents two trans people using the bathroom legally in states with bans.

unclosetedmedia.com

Uncloseted Media examines the real-world consequences of bathroom bans targeting transgender individuals in the U.S. in a new article. They follow two trans people—Briden Schueren, a trans man, and Ashley Brundage, a trans woman—who legally use bathrooms that correspond to their sex assigned at birth in states with restrictive laws.

Schueren, forced to use the women’s restroom at the University of Cincinnati, describes feeling deeply uncomfortable and out of place. Brundage, required to use the men’s restroom at Tampa International Airport, recounts the awkwardness of the experience after 16 years of using women’s facilities.

Make no mistake about it: these laws are not about protecting women. Cis men may attack cis women, trans women do not. Indeed, these laws exposes trans women to the danger of having to use men’s bathrooms. They also put trans men at risk, as people may violently react to what they (correctly) perceive to be a man using the women’s restroom.

No, the laws are there to stigmatize trans people and force them out of public spaces. The end goal is to force all trans people back into the closet. These laws are evil, plain and simple.

Read the article here!

Topless trans women protest against transphobic UK Supreme Court decision

A group of trans women staged a topless protest outside the Scottish Parliament to condemn the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the definition of “sex” in the Equality Act.

The ruling determined that “sex” refers strictly to biological sex, excluding transgender people from legal protections.

Protesters painted their arms red in solidarity with anti-fascist feminists across Europe, wore tape over their mouths to symbolize the silencing of trans voices, and held white roses to represent the “death of transgender rights in the UK.”

The demonstration criticized both the Supreme Court’s decision and the Scottish government’s response, which aligned with the ruling by restricting trans access to gendered facilities.

One protester at the topless demonstration, Sugar, said the court ruling was “not just a setback of humanitarian rights, it’s an act of erasure”, adding:

“It sends a truly saddening message that trans people’s fears, dignity and lives do not matter in the eyes of the Supreme Court. Trans voices were ignored in that decision. This kind of judicial disregard sets a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democracy, and a descent into fascism.“

The protesters urged Scottish ministers to challenge the decision and fight for trans inclusion.

Pink News has more.

Half of trans Americans have moved or consider moving to more trans-affirming locations

A recent study by the Williams Institute examines how anti-transgender policies and public opinion are influencing travel and relocation decisions among transgender individuals.

Based on a survey of 302 transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse adults conducted in December 2024, the report highlights significant concerns about safety and discrimination following the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) have either moved or are considering moving to more trans-affirming locations, citing hostile political climates and restrictive laws as primary reasons.

45% desire to move out of the US.

Additionally, 30% reported traveling less frequently due to concerns about anti-trans sentiment, while 70% expressed reluctance to visit states perceived as less supportive of transgender rights.

Economic barriers, including relocation costs, employment challenges, and housing insecurity, prevent many from moving despite their desire to do so.

The report underscores the mental and physical health impacts of these pressures, urging policymakers and communities to address the growing need for safe and inclusive spaces.

More here.

Full report here.

Photo: Getty

UK Trans+ Research Conference founder establishes academic network for transgender research

The Trans+ Research Conference, founded by psychologist Dr. Gillian Russell and Beyond Reflections, aims to revolutionize trans-related academia by promoting innovative and imaginative research.

The conference, held at Bournemouth University, featured a diverse range of speakers, including PhD and Masters students, established academics, and researchers from fields such as psychology, media studies, and cancer research.

Dr. Russell emphasizes the need for unique studies that challenge conventional approaches, arguing that repetitive research fails to advance understanding of trans issues.

The conference was inspired by the controversial Cass Review, which critics argue misrepresented trans healthcare. Dr. Russell believes that rigorous, evidence-based research is essential to counter misinformation and improve societal acceptance of trans people.

The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration, with plans to establish the Trans+ Network Hub—a research center designed to connect scholars and foster groundbreaking studies. The initiative seeks to break academic barriers and push trans research forward.

Pink News has more.

TGEU report shows setbacks in human rights of trans people across Europe and Central Asia

Transgender Europe (TGEU) has released its annual trans rights map, revealing an alarming regression in trans rights across Europe and Central Asia.

For the first time in 13 years, setbacks in trans rights outweigh progress, signaling a broader crisis in democracy and fundamental freedoms.

The report highlights coordinated anti-trans campaigns linked to far-right movements, including Trump-aligned networks and Kremlin-backed efforts.

Countries like Hungary and Georgia have enacted constitutional amendments restricting trans rights, while the UK Supreme Court has ruled against trans equality.

Despite these setbacks, there have been victories, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union affirming trans protections in Romania and France. However, right-wing forces continue to challenge these rulings.

TGEU writes:

//TGEU calls on the EU to adopt and proactively implement a strong EU LGBTI Strategy with a clear focus on the human rights of further marginalised groups — trans people, Black people and People of Colour, disabled people, intersex people, asylum seekers, sex workers, and people living with HIV.

The new strategy should build upon the lessons learnt from the 2020-2025 Strategy and address widening gaps in human rights and healthcare access.

In the new Strategy, the EU Commission needs to commit to supporting Member States with the implementation of EU law on the rights of trans people and hold Member States accountable for their implementation.

‘Gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ must be included in all EU Commission initiatives on gender equality and be considered grounds for anti-discrimination protections under EU law.

Finally, the EU should enforce its global leadership in promoting LGBTI equality, particularly in accession and neighbourhood countries, by embedding strong human rights benchmarks into foreign policy.//

S. Baum reports over at Erin in the Morning.

The TGEU trans right map can be found here.

Real scientists unmask the anti-transgender Cass Review as methodologically flawed and misleading

The Cass Review, a widely cited report on gender-affirming care in the U.K., has been heavily criticized by researchers for its methodological flaws and unsupported claims.

A new peer review published in BMC Medical Research Methodology found that the review lacked statistical rigor, misrepresented evidence, and excluded key studies without justification.

Headed by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, the Cass report dismissed gender-affirming medical care as unreliable, recommending “exploratory therapy,” which critics argue is akin to conversion therapy.

The review applied biased analytical methods, misquoted previous studies, and selectively adapted assessment tools to justify anti-trans conclusions.

It also advocated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for puberty blockers, which experts denounced as unethical. Despite its flaws, the Cass Review influenced policies, leading to a U.K. ban on puberty blockers and contributing to restrictive health measures in the U.S.

Chris Noone and his colleagues write:

Using the ROBIS tool, we identified a high risk of bias in each of the systematic reviews driven by unexplained protocol deviations, ambiguous eligibility criteria, inadequate study identification, and the failure to integrate consideration of these limitations into the conclusions derived from the evidence syntheses. We also identified methodological flaws and unsubstantiated claims in the primary research that suggest a double standard in the quality of evidence produced for the Cass report compared to quality appraisal in the systematic reviews.

Experts urge policymakers to reject the report, calling for research centered on patient autonomy and accurate scientific analysis.

See Them for more.

The science paper can be found here: Critically appraising the cass report: methodological flaws and unsupported claims

Liev Schreiber Talks About Trans Daughter Kai

Variety reports on actor Liev Schreiber opening up about his daughter Kai, who is transgender.

Schreiber shares that Kai never explicitly came out but was always true to herself, with the key moment being when she asked for a pronoun change:

“But I suppose the most profound moment was her asking us to change her pronouns. To be honest with you, it didn’t feel like that big of a deal to me only because Kai had been so feminine for so long.”

He reflects on Kai’s growing presence in the trans community, particularly in fashion, having debuted for Valentino.

He talks about the political challenges facing trans people, including Trump’s ban on transgender service members, but remains hopeful. He advises parents of trans children to be patient, recognizing that raising teenagers—trans or not—can be challenging.