How does a country put a stop to the discrimination that travels across borders?
They can start by creating inclusive communities that protect human dignity!
Following increasing reports of violence and prejudice against refugees in Germany, a shelter for gay and lesbian refugees opened in Nuremberg on February 1st.
An association called Fliederlinch built the structure that houses up to eight migrants. It’s only a start to the addressing the problem--hence the relative smallness.
According to an Agence France-Presse report, Michael Glas, who runs Fliederlich, explained that the association began the initiative because they had been contacted by at least 20 refugees saying they were uncomfortable in the shelters they had been placed in.
Many LGBTQ refugees are victims of violent physical and sexual attacks and threats because of their sexual orientation.
Whether fleeing their country of origin because they are persecuted for being different, or encountering harsh and cruel treatment in the refugee camps they are placed in, LGBTQ refugees face additional layers of hardship.
The gay and lesbian association for the states of Berlin and Brandenburg reported having about 95 cases of LGBTQ discrimination violence between August 1 to December 3, 2015.
In 75 countries it is a crime to be gay and many refugees come from these countries. Because of this cultural understanding that homosexuality and transgender identification are wrong, many act out in violence.
Many refugees are forced to flee their home countries because of the prejudice experienced, and some are never able to escape it.
What comes next?
Although this first shelter only scratches the surface, Berlin is also in the works of creating a larger shelter that will accommodate over 100 LGBTQ refugees!
Berlin to Open LGBT Refugee Center - https://t.co/uLZkbGNl1Z#refugees#LGBT#LGBTQ#WorldNews#Germany
— Refugees Now (@RefugeesNow) January 28, 2016
Germany is determined to ease the plight of refugees of all backgrounds and these shelters are a strong step in that direction.
Global citizens may not be able to build refugee shelters, but creating inclusive communities can start with inclusive conversations.
Asking questions and learning about someone is a great beginning because getting to know someone can lead to a friendship and insights into perspectives different than your own. Friendships foster positive communities and allow everyone to feel included. And friendships are something everyone can help with.