Hesse secures funding for queer refugees despite cuts!

Hesse secures funding for queer refugees despite cuts!

There is good news for the Rainbow Refugee Project in Hesse: despite previous austerity measures, it will continue to receive financial support from the state in 2025. Social Affairs Minister Heike Hofmann announced the good news in Frankfurt that the funding for next year will be around 160,000 euros, even if that is less than the previous support of 215,000 euros. The project, which works under the umbrella of Aidshilfe Hessen, is particularly geared towards the needs of queer refugees and offers help at various locations in Frankfurt, Giessen, Marburg, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Kassel. Last year, 379 people took advantage of this service, which is considered life-saving, especially for people from countries where they are persecuted because of their sexual orientation.

The security situation for queer people is catastrophic in many countries. Hello Deniz, a refugee from Turkey, describes the project as a kind of new family for him. Memories imprint themselves, such as the oppressive thoughts of the uncertainty from which he fled. Another person who initiated the project is student Safa from Darmstadt, who came from Afghanistan in 2015. He reported that queer people in Afghanistan face severe persecution and were able to find help and hope through the Rainbow Refugee Support Network. But the funding was previously at risk because the Ministry of Health was concerned about the budget situation. However, university politicians like Tanja Jost have held discussions with Hofmann and have argued strongly for maintaining the funds.

An uncertain outlook

While the support of 160,000 euros may represent a positive turnaround, the future of the project remains uncertain. While Hofmann emphasizes that she wants to fight for the continuation, a lot depends on the political decisions. The managing director of Aidshilfe Hessen and the Vielbunt association are calling for a rethink in politics in order to maintain vital help for queer refugees. In each of the last two years, the project has received around 200,000 euros in funding, and without this money, Aids-Hilfe would no longer be able to provide support.

The Rainbow Refugee Project does integration work and helps queer refugees find and live their identity. This work is not only recognized locally, but also receives significant attention at the European level. Funds from various programs, such as the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund Plus, are often used to support such important projects. These funds are crucial to ensure ongoing activities and support offers.

A strong network

In addition to the state funding, Aidshilfe Hessen will receive 35,000 euros from the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband for the current year. The network of various organizations, such as the queer center Vielbunt in Darmstadt, ensures that those affected receive comprehensive support. Social workers and counselors have advised over 200 refugees in the past, many of whom were able to build a new life in Darmstadt and gain a foothold in their careers.

The response from those affected is overwhelming: projects like this are not only a ray of hope for many, but actually save lives. The work being done here has enormous significance, and the voices of Deniz and Safa remind us of the importance of supporting all people, regardless of their sexual identity.

It remains to be hoped that the state of Hesse will recognize the necessity and importance of such projects and secure the appropriate long-term support to give queer refugees a new start.