When Micro Rainbow began supporting #LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers in 2012, we quickly saw a devastating pattern: many were homeless, living in poverty, and deeply vulnerable to exploitation. Some had fled abusive accommodation and arrived in London with nowhere to go—forced into unsafe situations, including domestic servitude and survival sex, just to find shelter. A practical, compassionate solution was urgently needed. In 2017, Micro Rainbow launched the UK’s first—and still only—safe housing scheme specifically for LGBTQI asylum seekers. What began as one house has grown into a vital network of support. Now in 2025, we are proud to offer over 37,000 safe bed nights every year to LGBTQI people escaping persecution. A safe, welcoming home transforms lives—and it's only possible thanks to the ongoing support of our incredible allies. Join us in this mission. Help us reach more people in need. Become an ally today. #LGBTQIAsylum #RefugeesWelcome #MicroRainbow #SafeHousing #Inclusion #LGBTQIRefugees #SupportAndSolidarity https://lnkd.in/dkhFJpt
Micro Rainbow
Non-profit Organization Management
London, England 3,707 followers
We run safe houses and socio-economic programmes for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution. 👉Over 29,000 bed-nights a year.
About us
Micro Rainbow’s vision is to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people are safe, free from discrimination, persecution and have equal opportunities in life, including in accessing employment, training, financial services and housing. Our mission is to create opportunities for LGBTQI people to fulfil their potential in life and create innovative models for social change that are sustainable, scalable and replicable. Our objectives are: - to provide safe housing to LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees - to facilitate access to employment, volunteering, training and education for LGBTQI refugees - to research and better understand the specific issues faced LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees and to make recommendations that improve their lives. Our core beliefs are: - many LGBTQI people across the world are more vulnerable to poverty and isolated because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity or intersex status. When they come to the UK to seek safety they still face homelessness and discrimination. - LGBTQI people who are homeless and trapped in poverty can break the poverty cycle if they are given the opportunity. - addressing homelessness and poverty contribute to creating new narratives that change social attitudes towards refugees and LGBTQI people Our principles: - we provide hope and additional resources, but not charity; - we do not persuade or motivate people to help themselves; - we speak, consult and research with local communities, continuously; - we work in partnership or not at all; - we understand that social change takes time, and that is ok; - we maximise and make full use of existing resources whenever possible; - we believe that professionalism, efficiency, financial health and changing the world can go together. Big numbers look good and we hope to achieve them, however everyone that works with us is important to us and our focus is in changing people’s lives, one at a time.
- Website
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https://microrainbow.org/
External link for Micro Rainbow
- Industry
- Non-profit Organization Management
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- London, England
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2012
- Specialties
- LGBTI Human Rights, Poverty reduction, asylum, refugees, housing, Integration, LGBTQ, and LGBTQI
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
London, England, GB
Employees at Micro Rainbow
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Sebastian Rocca
Social Entrepreneur. Coach. Founder and CEO at Micro Rainbow CIC
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Leidmar Verneque
Sócia e COO na TRiLiOS - BPO Financeiro | Gestão Financeira | Gestora de Projetos da Cocriação à entrega | Educação Empreendedora | BNI Ohana
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Louisa Borg-Costanzi Potts
Programme Director at Fevered Sleep
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Rita Maria da Silva Passos
Pesquisadora - IPPUR/UFRJ
Updates
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Well done to Ana and all our runners yesterday at the London Landmarks Half Marathon! You can still donate to their JustGiving pages here: https://lnkd.in/efCWj8ea
Great day out running the #londonlandmarkshalfmarathon today, fundraising for Micro Rainbow. Fantastic course. Crowd support was on a par with London Marathon. No #comradesmarathon for me this year. The plantar plate tear diagnosed last June is not yet fully healed. At present my foot can only manage 30 km. The Comrades’ 90 km course (and five mountains) will have to wait to next year. I will still travel to South Africa as I have business to attend with a number of clients in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. If you are in these cities and are in need of U.K. business or personal immigration services please DM me or email me at a.gonzalez@wilsonllp.co.uk to arrange a meeting. In the meantime if you haven’t made a donation there’s still time. Link in comments.
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We're getting ready to cheer on our half marathon runners tomorrow - and that means making sure that our Micro Rainbow Pride Flags are clean and ready to be flown aloft! So it was laundry day for Rosalind Duignan-Pearson in the Micro Rainbow office yesterday (and by extension, the Ethical Property building) to make sure they were all dry in time. Want to support our London Landmarks Half Marathon runners? There's still time - donate now! https://lnkd.in/efCWj8ea
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🏃♀️ Meet the Micro Rainbow Running Team! 💪 On Sunday, Ana Gonzalez, Flora McCluskey, Andre Martins, Sophie Parker and Abigail Fieldus are taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon to support #LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers. 🌈❤️ They’re running for safety, dignity, and a brighter future for everyone. Let's cheer them on! Meet the runners in this video: Donate to our Just Giving here: https://lnkd.in/efCWj8ea
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Micro Rainbow's outreach officers do more than provide support—they create pathways to safety, dignity, and independence for LGBTQI asylum seekers. With empathy, honesty, and collaboration, they guide beneficiaries through complex challenges, from securing safe housing to accessing vital services. As Amina, one of our outreach officers, explains: 💬 _"Outreach means supporting someone compassionately, listening to their needs, and empowering them to make independent decisions."_ By fostering trust and transparency outreach officers help individuals regain control over their lives. Whether advocating for safer accommodation, or signposting to legal advice or mental health support, their work makes tangible impact. Every success story is testament to the power of dedicated outreach and advocacy. https://lnkd.in/e4CEraKc
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We held a wonderful queer iftar for the Muslims in our community last week! We broke fast, shared food, celebrated togetherness and recorded our reflections on the Ramadan Reflection Tree. The evening was a powerful reminder that everyone deserves a safe space to honour their faith and identity. 🌈💖 At Micro Rainbow, we’re committed to creating inclusive spaces where LGBTQI people fleeing persecution can thrive—without fear, without judgment, and with open hearts. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this evening special. You can help support more #LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers by becoming an ally today! https://lnkd.in/eGYZfUt
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Micro Rainbow is thrilled to announce the launch of the new project ‘The Trans Zine of Knowledge’. Starting on May 15th 2025, these once monthly sessions will take over the former Trans+ project, offering a safe space for trans migrants to come together in solidarity through creative and theatre making activities. The Trans Zine of Knowledge project will use workshops, making, sharing and creating to create a “Zine of Knowledge” – the secrets trans migrants want to pass on to their siblings, the things they wish they knew upon arriving to the UK. This project will be made by trans plus asylum seekers and refugees for trans plus asylum seekers and refugees, allowing this community to archive the skills and knowledge that they have worked hard to cultivate, navigating a hostile asylum system and increasing transphobic rhetoric. Please email social@microrainbow.org today if: 🏳️⚧️ You are a trans person, or identify as nonbinary or gender non-conforming, and are seeking asylum or a refugee who would like to take part in the project. 🏳️⚧️ If you would like to run a fundraiser for this project. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eCnykwQ7
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Today, on #TransDayOfVisibility, we recognise the resilience and strength of trans individuals worldwide. Bianca, a trans woman from Guyana, faced immense persecution in her home country—where being LGBTQI is still illegal. Disowned by family, denied healthcare, and subjected to violence, she made the courageous decision to seek safety in the UK. While life in the UK brought some relief, it also presented new challenges—loneliness, transphobia, and difficulty accessing healthcare. Yet, through volunteering and finding work in care, Bianca is rebuilding her life with hope and determination. Her message this Trans Day of Visibility is simple but powerful: 💜 "I just want to be treated with love, respect, and compassion." Read her story: #TransDayOfVisibility #LGBTQI #Inclusion #HumanRights #TDOV #TDOV2025 #LGBTGuyana #LGBTQiGuyana https://lnkd.in/emK6hqf8
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Our Founder and CEO Sebastian Rocca is one of the 2025 Acumen Academy Fellows. We can’t wait to experience some of the learnings that he will bring back to the team as he continues to role model #authenticleadership. #feelinggrateful
Just wrapped up four incredible days with the founders and leaders of some of the most groundbreaking organisations in the UK. I’m feeling inspired, reflective, and grateful to be part of the Acumen Academy Fellowship. Excited for the months ahead and to keep learning alongside this amazing group of change-makers, dreamers, and disruptors. Thank you everyone! 🏳️🌈 Charlie Chan Frédéric Kastner Genna M. Hannah Oyewole Jordan Ignatius Joseph Howes Kusai Rahal Lucy Vincent Oyinkansola Adebayo Pranav Chopra Remi Ray Rosie Ginday MBE Rowena E. Ruth Boyle Sajid Mohammed Sarah Germain Benjamin Lane Natasha Menon Clementine Ewokolo Burnley Richard Kennedy
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Micro Rainbow reposted this
If your heart sings when you see the impact of Micro Rainbow’s work in supporting #lgbtqi people fleeing persecution, vote for us! (And share 🥰)These awards mean something: they raise awareness, build connections and make us feel that we are not alone. At these critical times we need all those things🌈 Thank you 🙏🏼 Link below 👇 #rainbowhonours2025 #refugees
✨ Excited to share that Micro Rainbow has been shortlisted in the #RainbowHonours2025 GSK Charity of the Year category! https://lnkd.in/eRkwwCa4
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