Transgender and non-binary refugees in Kenya face acute vulnerability. In addition to the criminalization, discrimination, and lack of access to justice that LGBTQ+ people generally encounter in Kenya, refugees and asylum seekers face additional layers of risk, including xenophobia, documentation barriers, the threat of arrest and deportation, and exclusion from basic public services.The global funding crisis has dramatically worsened the situation. While the number of new asylum seekers continues to rise, available resources are shrinking, leading to increased homelessness, malnutrition, and untreated mental health conditions.Refugee Trans Initiative (RTI) is a grassroots organization that supports transgender and non-binary refugees. Regnbågsfonden continues to support RTI in strengthening the safety, dignity, and long-term resilience of its target group through access to emergency protection services such as safe housing and psychosocial support, agricultural projects that create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and visibility initiatives aimed at increasing public acceptance of transgender people.

Uganda has some of the world's harshest legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people. Same-sex relationships are criminalized and, in certain cases, can be punished by death. Harassment, domestic violence, and rejection by family members are widespread, often resulting in homelessness, poor mental health, and economic hardship. Fear of arrest, forced outing, and discrimination prevents many people from seeking help and healthcare through official channels, further deepening their vulnerability.

Fem Alliance Uganda (FEMA) was founded in 2012 by transgender and lesbian activists to address the protection and rights needs of lesbian and bisexual women, as well as transgender people, in Uganda. The organization provides emergency shelter, safe community spaces, psychosocial support, HIV prevention services, advocacy, and economic empowerment programs. In a country where formal protection systems largely lack either the capacity or the willingness to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people, FEMA plays a critical role: reducing isolation, increasing safety, and connecting individuals with life-saving support.

FEMA has been severely affected by international funding cuts, including reductions in U.S. foreign aid. Support from Regnbågsfonden is therefore crucial to ensuring that the organization can continue providing essential services—including healthcare, medication, and safe housing—to one of Uganda’s most vulnerable populations.

In Turkey, LGBTQ+ people are subjected to systematic oppression and institutionalized discrimination. Pride marches and other peaceful LGBTQ+ demonstrations are banned, and LGBTQ+ activists are regularly arrested and prosecuted. Existing laws are actively used to restrict the activities of LGBTQ+ organizations, limit their access to funding, and curtail their opportunities for political advocacy, while LGBTQ+ activists face harassment, arrests, and legal proceedings. Access to safe community spaces, legal support, and psychosocial services is crucial for the community’s survival.

Despite these challenging circumstances, SPoD continues to provide vital support, safe spaces, and essential services to LGBTQI+ people across the country. Regnbågsfonden and SPoD have been working together since 2022 on initiatives including emergency assistance, capacity building, and advocacy efforts—among them support provided in the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake.

The current project, funded by Sida and Regnbågsfonden, aims to strengthen the institutional resilience of SPoD and its partner organizations by developing a shared and secure workplace, promoting capacity development and collaboration for long-term sustainability, and advancing data-driven advocacy to counter anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and discriminatory policies.

The Rainbow Prize, worth SEK 100,000, goes to the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) and its CEO Emmett Schelling, whose leadership and activism have been crucial to the organization's work and to the defense of transgender rights in Texas and the United States.

The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) is a trans-led organization that works to strengthen transgender rights in the state and provide transgender people with access to care and support. In a United States where attacks on transgender rights have increased sharply in recent years, TENT has become an important voice in the resistance to increasingly harsh anti-trans policies. Under Emmett Schelling's leadership, TENT has become one of the most influential trans organizations in the United States.

Some examples of TENT’s work:

· TENT and Emmett Schelling played a central role in stopping the so-called “bathroom bill” in Texas in 2017, which would have forced transgender people to use public restrooms that match the gender they were assigned at birth.

· In 2025, TENT introduced over 100 bills to strengthen the rights and improve the lives of LGBTQ people in Texas. The bills were a response to the over 200 anti-trans and anti-gay bills that were introduced in the state assembly that same year and show that there are alternatives to the hostile and hateful narrative that is increasingly directed at LGBTQ people in the state.

· In the same year, the organization launched a so-called “bill tracker” – a website that lists hostile bills against LGBTQ people in Texas and makes it easier for people to follow and thereby influence the legislative process.

· Through the Know Your Rights: Voting While Trans program, TENT has created a tool to help trans people exercise their democratic right to vote and resist anti-trans intimidation at the polling stations.

· Through safe meeting places, workshops and conversation support, TENT strengthens the entire trans community

Due to US immigration policy, Emmett Schelling cannot risk coming to the Regnbågsgalan in Stockholm on April 20th in person, as he risks being denied re-entry. Instead, Lais Milburn (she/her), AndreaSegovia (she/her) and Diaz Reyes Camacho (he) from TENT will come to the Regnbågsgalan to receive the award in his place.

Trans people in Tanzania live under strong stigma, discrimination and violence. Many are forced to hide their identity for fear of harassment and persecution. Access to basic healthcare is characterized by prejudice, which means that many avoid healthcare.

In this reality, the Tanzania Trans Initiative (TTI) is one of the few actors that offers safety and support. TTI is a trans-led feminist organization that works to empower trans and non-binary people. With a small team and an active board, the organization offers safe meeting places, psychosocial support, vocational training and mentoring, and advocates for improved health and financial security for the community.

With support from the Rainbow Fund, TTI focuses on mental health, sports and economic empowerment for young trans and non-binary people in Tanzania. Activities include support groups, vocational training and agricultural projects.

On February 24, a trial will begin against The Russian LGBTQ Network, Russia’s largest LGBTQ organization.It will most likely be designated as extremist, which would mean a total ban on its activities.

Employees and volunteers risk being sentenced to up to 12 years in prison. They must flee Russia as quickly as possible.Regnbågsfonden is providing emergency support to help them.

Update: The Russian LGBTQ Network has succeeded in having its trial postponed until April, giving them more time to prepare and evacuate volunteers and staff. However, the danger is far from over, and based on other similar cases, a guilty verdict is expected.