COC & Migrants
Our Migrant Group (a.k.a. ‘Work group Asiel’) organizes monthly meetings for LGBTI+ migrants. The group provides a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTI+) asylum seekers to meet each other and get acquainted with Dutch LGBTI+ culture. Through organizing social activities, the group helps migrants to overcome the social isolation in which many LGBTI+ asylum seekers find themselves when they come to the Netherlands. Migrants can sign up for the activities via e-mail.
Please note: COC cannot offer legal, medical, mental or financial help. If more help is needed, we will refer to other organizations.
Monthly meetings
Every second Saturday of the month from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. at Humanitas, Groningen!
This is why it is so important
LGBTI+ persons are being discriminated against and threatened in large parts of the world. In some countries they are imprisoned or even sentenced to death. Fleeing is often the only option. They have to leave family and friends behind for an uncertain future in a strange country. After arriving in a refugee center, migrants often experience that their sexual orientation and/or gender identity is not accepted by their fellow newcomers. This can lead to severe forms of intimidation, social isolation, anxiety, depression or worse. We offer a safe environment where LGBTI+ migrants can meet each other and get to know the Dutch LGBTI+ culture.
We collaborate with other (migrant) organizations and regularly advise on Dutch LGBTI+ asylum policy. COC carefully monitors the implementation of the new policy in practice.
Foto credits: (stock photo’s) Ronê Ferreira (header), Anete Lusina