Idag, 28 juni, sker den förbjudna Prideparaden i Ungern där Orban hotat deltagarna med böter och fängelse! Regnbågsfonden betalar för juristerna som ska hjälpa aktivisterna under de repressalier som man tror följer.

With the help of the Rainbow Foundation, MCC (Moscow Community Center) opened a sheltered accommodation for LGBTQI people in 2017. MCC receives continued support in 2022 and 2023 to run and develop its operations. In the first years, the shelter mainly took in people who fled for their lives from Chechnya due to the increased repression against LGBTQI people in Chechnya. The situation in Chechnya received a lot of international attention. In the sheltered accommodation, LGBTQI people have been given a safe space to recover, get support, find work and start their lives again.

RTI (Refugee Trans Initiative) in Kenya has a safe accommodation for trans refugees which protects trans people from physical and sexual violence, extortion by authorities and individuals, evictions, intimate partner violence and psychological violence including discrimination, harassment and threats. RTI is a trans-led organization that works to improve the conditions and rights of trans migrants through advocacy and direct support. The center acts as a home for migrants and those who have been subjected to transphobic attacks in their community.

In September, Georgia passed laws that severely restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people: · All LGBTQ+ information in schools is banned! · Pride events are banned! · Rainbow flags in public places are banned! · Gender-affirming healthcare is banned! · Adoption by LGBTQ+ people is banned!

The day after the laws were passed, Kesaria Abramidze was found stabbed to death in her apartment. Kesaria, who was only 37 years old, was one of the first openly transgender people in Georgia. The threat against the country's LGBTQ+ community is deadly serious.

Throughout 2024, Georgia has also seen large demonstrations against another proposed law that would make it harder for non-profit organizations to operate. In April, the government introduced a bill that requires all non-profit organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as foreign agents.

The Rainbow Fund supports Temida, a trans-led organization that provides assistance and protection to the LGBTQ+ community, which is especially crucial as violence has escalated.

In February 2024, Ghana's parliament passed one of the strictest anti-gay laws in Africa, which includes up to three years in prison for same-sex sexual relations and 6 to 10 years in prison for anyone who "promotes" homosexuality. President Nana Akufo-Addo stated at the time that he would not sign the law until the Supreme Court ruled on its constitutionality.

The Rainbow Foundation support LGBT+ Rights Ghana, which fights to promote LGBTQI+ rights in Ghana by strengthening the network and well-being of LGBTQI+ people. The Rainbow Fund supports LGBT+ Rights Ghana in providing basic resources such as food and shelter, allowing activists to continue their work for change in Ghana, where LGBTQI+ individuals can live their lives without the risk of threats and violence.

PSAL (Polish Society for Anti-discrimination Law) is a Polish civil society organization that organizes lawyers and other legal professionals who want to work on a voluntary basis to pursue legal cases to protect human rights and work against discrimination. Those who need the help of the lawyers pay nothing, PSAL's network of lawyers and law firms work on a voluntary basis and PSAL covers all the costs of the legal cases. ## Heavy setback in Poland In Poland, the LGBTQI community is currently experiencing a major setback, due to government policies. It is estimated that the number of cases of violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people has increased sharply. Various regions have proclaimed themselves “LGBTQ-free zones”. Poland already lacks legal recognition and protection for LGBTQI people's relationships and families. LGBTQI activists protesting human rights abuses are prosecuted and far-right organizations systematically report them to pursue strategic legal cases. ## Legal advice and assistance in court The Rainbow Foundation supports PSAL with major challenges in finding funding for its work to pursue cases involving LGBTQI people. With the help of our support, PSAL can now offer legal advice in discrimination cases to more individuals and pursue a number of cases in court. One case is where activists want to have a known anti-abortionist convicted of incitement to an ethnic group after her statements about LGBTQI people. PSAL defends the activists who created the "Atlas of Hate" where they made visible the "LGBTQ-free zones" and were reported for defamation by right-wing extremists. Other cases being pursued aim to achieve gender-neutral marriage legislation in Poland. Even discrimination cases regarding discrimination in the workplace are possible to pursue thanks to EU legislation in this area within working life and discrimination due to sexual orientation.