IN MY PACE

LGBT refugees are a little known minority in the contemporary migration scenario. In many African and Middle Eastern countries, homosexual and bisexual behavior is punished with prison or death. Homophobia is endemic in every aspect of society and physical and sexual violence against LGBT people is extremely common. For those people, Europe represents a dream, the place where they can finally follow their nature without the risk of being killed.

Born in 2016, Africarcigay is today one of the largest entities that deals with LGBT refugees in Italy. The uniqueness of this project lies in its spontaneity, the group was in fact wanted and self-made by some African LGBT boys and girls after obtaining refugee status, together with some Italian volunteers. Their goal is to team up and help all other LGBT migrants find their way; not only in obtaining the documents to stay in Italy, but above all in the path of acceptance of themselves, of knowledge of theirs rights and of self-determination. The group manages itself democratically through voting and before being accepted new migrants must tell their story and be recognized unanimously as LGBT people on the run. Africarcigay members publicly exhibit themselves in artistic events and shows because they believe it is fundamental to raise awareness of the little-known issue of LGBT migrants. Even if they are safe in Italy, these people are systematically discriminated by their migrant compatriots. One of the group's most important activities is, in fact, entering the camps for asylum seekers and educating them on the rights of LGBT people in Europe.