Rainbow Railroad

An international organization helping LGBTQI+ people who are in danger because of their sexual orientation or identity. Direct assistance for those forced to flee their homes.

SERVICES:
• Assistance with relocating to a safe place: accommodation in a safe house, a plane ticket, and financial assistance for food, medication, and immediate needs
• Financial support for LGBTQI+ refugees during resettlement: housing, medication, and basic necessities

HOW TO APPLY: Submit a request for assistance at rainbowrailroad.org. Due to the high volume of requests, assistance may not be available to everyone.

IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE IN RUSSIA AND THOSE WHO VISIT THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION:
Russian courts have designated at least 11 LGBTQ initiatives as extremist (as of August 2026). For people in Russia and those who visit the Russian Federation, contact with such organizations may be a criminal offense. Check this organization's status in the Russian Federation before contacting it.

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
• In Russia, Belarus, and other countries, LGBTQ initiatives and websites may be designated “extremist” or “undesirable”: even contacting them or following their links can sometimes pose risks.
• Use a VPN, leave no traces in your browser history, and contact them using devices and accounts that cannot be linked to your identity; use an email address outside the .ru domain.
• Emergency assistance is usually provided to those who are already facing persecution: be prepared to document the situation (official reports, screenshots, court rulings). Evacuation programs are limited; assistance more often focuses on helping you plan your own departure.
• Before applying: save copies of your documents to the cloud, prepare a brief description of the situation, and arrange a backup communication channel.
• Assess the risks yourself; circumstances change, so make sure the information is up to date.