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️‍ ️​Lesvos LGBTIQ+ Safe House: A Sanctuary for Queer Refugees

We adhere to a confidentiality policy within the household to ensure the safety of its residents. If you reside in Lesbos, please share this information exclusively with trusted individuals.

The LGBTIQ+ Safe House on Lesvos offers a protected space for queer refugees, providing an alternative to the Mavrovouni refugee camp, where they often face severe discrimination, violence, and isolation.

Upon arrival on the Greek island of Lesvos, situated just a few kilometers from the Turkish shores, these individuals are placed in a refugee camp where they lack privacy and adequate protection regarding their gender expression and sexual orientation. Many find themselves sharing tents with members of the same community that harassed them in their country of origin.

In addition to the highly stressful asylum-seeking process involving complex procedures, they endure psychological and physical abuse within the camp. To safeguard their integrity and mental health, we established this shelter, successfully providing safety to hundreds of individuals over the past years.

In 2024, the house accommodated 26 individuals, including trans women, cis women, non-binary persons, cis men, and 4 children. Residents were asylum seekers who arrived in the Lesvos camp and shared experiences of marginalization due to both their refugee status and queer identity.

This space serves as a central hub for our group to coordinate actions and care for individuals. However, recent changes in our housing situation have increased operational costs to €500 per month. With limited long-term donations, we rely on your support to maintain this essential project. To ensure a safe place for the group over the next two years, we aim to raise up to €12,000, though any contribution will be invaluable.

​ Why a Queer Safe House is Essential

Queer refugees in the camp system often endure fear, isolation, and violence. Homophobic and transphobic structures among camp residents and administration make safe living nearly impossible. Non-binary and trans* individuals experience heightened exclusion, as the camp system enforces strict binary gender separation. There are no adequate housing or support options for those who don't fit this framework. Many live in constant fear of sexual and physical violence, as well as forced outings. Their mental health suffers under daily stress, leading to isolation and withdrawal. Insensitive treatment by police and camp authorities exacerbates the situation.

The Safe House is the only place on the island where queer refugees can live safely, with dignity, and visibility.

​ Self-Organization and Collective Living

The house is more than just accommodation; it is a place of lived solidarity and self-empowerment. Residents actively shape communal life and house coordination. Support is provided as much as necessary, but as little as possible, allowing them to organize freely. Weekly house meetings and shared meals strengthen the sense of community, create space for exchange, and enable equal decision-making. Conflicts are addressed and resolved collectively, and responsibility is shared.

️​ Final Words

The Safe House on Lesvos is a vital sanctuary for queer refugees—a place of retreat, healing, resistance, and self-organization. It plays a crucial role in helping individuals overcome their difficulties during a time of crisis. Offering a safe and free place is invaluable under these conditions.

Thank you for reading up to here! We sincerely thank you for your interest—without your help, this place would not be sutainable anymore. Your solidarity provides safety, perspective, and hope.

Please participate and share!

In Solidarity,

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