Program Model & Process

Rainbow Railroad partnerships support on-the-ground verification in several different ways, depending on the context.

● Partner verification: Some high capacity, trusted, longtime partner organizations with significant experience in human rights work are able to provide in-depth referrals to Rainbow Railroad based on a full assessment of the individual’s situation, including in-person, in-country interviews and evidence collection. A small number of partners (generally well known and well respected local human rights groups) fall into this category and work with Rainbow Railroad to review the cases and to secure resources for relocation. For example, since 2019, 39 cases have been successfully referred to Rainbow Railroad from a Russian non-governmental organization. The organization leverages an established network of grassroots groups that support case individuals throughout their relocation process, including the verification of cases on-the-ground, temporary shelters in surrounding transit countries, and staff working in destination countries. Rainbow Railroad develops these partnerships through in-country visits (for example, we worked directly on the ground with the Russian LGBT Network during the state sponsored crackdown on LGBTQI+ persons in Chechnya), and through international networks.

● Co-verification: Many cases fall into a category of active co-work with partners on individual cases, involving continuous back and forth discussions with Rainbow Railroad. The partner may be able to help verify a particular element of the case, provide on-the-ground logistical support or meet with the person face to face. Partners falling into this category also include LGBTQI+ organizations locally, as well as groups like HRW or IRAP who seek LGBTQI+ specific expertise from Rainbow Railroad and have an in-country presence which can support verification. For an example of partnership with local organizations, when individuals submit support letters from unknown LGBTQI+ rights organizations, local partners are able to consult their network to confirm the legitimacy of these organizations for further follow-up by RR staff. Trusted partners are also contacted to confirm the validity of letters from their own organizations, confirming that an individual is a known member of their community and in legitimate need of our support. As a result, our intake and case support team has been able to recognize fraudulent letters of support.

● Case agents and informants: A significant number of cases involve case work by specific trusted individuals who have long term relationships with Rainbow Railroad staff. Some are engaged as external contract workers (“case agents”), while others are respected and known human rights defenders who share information to help Rainbow Railroad confirm accounts (“HRD informants”). These individuals are able to meet in person with individuals, as well as to conduct an on-the-ground assessment about the veracity of specific reported incidents mentioned in a particular account.

Mitigating Security Risks for LGBTQI+ Persons & Partners

In 12 of the 28 countries in which Rainbow Railroad has an active partner relationship, same-sex intimacy is criminalized. This context makes it nearly impossible for on-the-ground offices to operate safely, and many organizations are operating underground in their communities. Our partners are often at risk of or are experiencing direct crackdowns, ranging from credible fear of arrest to arbitrary arrest, unjust detention and even torture. Rainbow Railroad is constantly adapting our operations based on feedback from partners, including avoiding publicizing partner and organization names or changing MOUs to reflect local regulations (ie “HIV/AIDS research” rather than “LGBTQI+ refugee casework”).

These risks may not always be apparent to the mainstream humanitarian community. Notably, in January 2023, contract staff of Rainbow Railroad, based in Jordan where they have been conducting casework for the last several years, were advised by the U.S. embassy to leave the country after they were targeted for arrest in the context of the post-World Cup anti-LGBTQI+ backlash in the region. Notably, this took place in Jordan which is Category “A” in the UN system as one of the least difficult places to work, in a city which is a family duty station. Nevertheless, due to crackdowns in 2015, 2020 and now 2023, it has become too dangerous for our LGBTQI+ partners to work in this country. In Jordan, same sex intimacy is not criminalized, but LGBTQI+ people publicly displaying affection or speaking out for LGBTQI+ rights can be prosecuted for “immorality”. We were invited to a labor mobility conference in March in Jordan and chose not to attend because of the security risks to our partners. Due to our flexible virtual casework model however, we have been able to continue casework for the remaining individuals in Jordan, rather than needing to completely halt operations due to the need to stop in-person work.