It’s been a busy month for us here at the Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN), the voice of LGBTIQA+ displacement.
I am sending you an update about how we’re raising awareness and support for displaced LGBTIQA+ people.
RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for the Bridge to Safety Program
We are continuing to receive many, many referrals from displaced LGBTIQA+ people seeking refuge from danger. There is a real need for this program. We are doing the best we can to keep up with the demand.
Our dedicated appeal to support the first cohort of LGBTIQA+ refugees has reached 25% of its target.
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far for us to deliver this program. Please share it widely! Your support is invaluable in helping LGBTIQA+ refugees escape danger and find freedom.
REPORTING | Plenary at the 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference
I was honoured to speak at the Panel Discussion ‘Identity, Displacement and Lived Experience’ alongside Victor Madrigal-Borloz, former UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, facilitated by Dr Liza Beinart, at the 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference hosted by STARTTS on behalf of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT).
The discussion located LGBTIQA+ forced displacement within the intersecting realities of colonialism, climate collapse, border regimes, racialisation and the escalating global backlash against gender and sexual diversity.
I spoke about how this context presents within the realities of settlement systems in Australia. Making a distinction between “marginalised communities” and communities that are “systemically neglected and discriminated against” I aimed to shift the conversation from the focus on the individual towards systemic.
FEATURING | Podcast
Recently, I was part of a podcast series that connects the 78ers’ stories with our current work supporting displaced LGBTIQA+ people. As a valued part of our community of advocates and people with lived experience, I thought this might be of interest.
The Queer Renegades series is on SBS and I was featured in Episode 3 and Episode 8. You can listen to the series on the on Apple Podcasts or Pocketcasts.
COLLABORATING | Award win
Speaking of ‘78ers, the Mardi Gras float we were part of won the Spirit of 1978 Award!
You may remember we joined with our partners RACS and friends ASC and STARTTS for this special float, which celebrated out community and raised awareness about the Bridge to Safety program. I want to thank the incredible group at Colours of Our Community who coordinated the spectacular float, and to all the individuals with lived experience of displacement who took part.
SUBMITTING | Our policy work
SHARING | New report by UNHCR
The new report, "Towards Influence - How forcibly displaced and stateless people participated in the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025” is now published. The report looks at how forcibly displaced and stateless people participated across the full GRF Progress Review process. It highlights important progress in expanding participation, visibility, and access, while also identifying persistent challenges around influence, institutionalization, funding, accessibility, and accountability.
Back in December 2025, we took a delegation of LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced community members to Geneva. We are proud that our work contributed to the strong LGBTIQA+ advocacy at such a critical international forum, and is recognised in this report.
“I had the honour of delivering FDPN’s official statement during a plenary. Standing in this space was deeply meaningful, this representation matters. My participation was not abstract; I spent 7 years in [asylum] and transit countries without dignity. Being able to speak in Geneva carries privilege and responsibility for me. While I’m safe now, many are not, and this creates a strong sense of responsibility for me to ensure this participation is not only symbolic but effective.” – Saina Avesta, FDPN’s delegation member
Thank you to those for ongoing support of our work and commitment to safety and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people.
P.S. As Bridge to Safety is still underfunded – if you would like to chip in to build the program with us, you can make a tax-deductible donation.
With gratitude and in solidarity,
Dr Renee Dixson, Co-Founder & Executive Director
MORE:
Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN)
Address: PO Box 7217, Duffy, ACT 2611 Australia
FDPN acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. We extend our deepest respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across this Country now known as Australia. We express our immense gratitude for their welcome of other displaced people.
We honour the strength and resilience of LGBTIQA+ people worldwide. We mourn the lives of those LGBTIQA+ individuals who never made it to safety.