No Safe Haven: The Ongoing Persecution of LGBTQ+ Refugees in South Sudan's Gorom Settlement
For millions of displaced people around the globe, fleeing across an international border is meant to be the first step toward safety and rebuilding a life free from terror. However, for LGBTQ+ refugees across East Africa, escaping state-sanctioned homophobia in one country rarely guarantees freedom in another. This is the harrowing reality faced by queer and transgender asylum seekers in South Sudan's Gorom Refugee Settlement — a stark reminder that the cycle of displacement and persecution often follows vulnerable populations wherever they go. ROAR is actively involved in resettlement efforts for five people trapped in South Sudan.
The Search for Safety Leads to new Perils
The narrative surrounding Gorom begins with individual stories of survival, such as that of Amy, a 31-year-old transgender woman from Uganda. Having questioned her identity in a deeply conservative and religious family, Amy lived under the constant shadow of Uganda's harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws. After her family discovered her relationship with a male coach when she was 18, she fled her home out of fear for her life.
Amy's journey illustrates the gruelling web of displacement that many queer East Africans navigate:
- Uganda: Severe societal prejudice and brutal legal frameworks (culminating in the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act) forced Amy to escape via human traffickers.
- Kenya: Finding temporary shelter at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, Amy soon realized Kenya was equally hostile. Same-sex sexual activity remains illegal under Kenya's penal code, carrying sentences of up to 14 years in prison, and proposed legislation like the Family Protection Bill further stoked anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Kakuma is a very dangerous place for queer people.
- South Sudan: Along with 600 other LGBTQ+ refugees, Amy reached the Gorom Refugee Settlement in 2024, expecting an end to her plight. Instead of security, they discovered that the very dangers they ran away from were virulently present within the confines of this enormous concentration camp.
Overcrowded Conditions and Targeted Violence
Located 26 kilometers southwest of South Sudan’s capital, Juba, the Gorom Refugee Settlement was originally established in 2010 to house 2,500 people fleeing conflict in Ethiopia. Today, it is vast, overcrowded, and severely under-resourced. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the settlement now houses over 16,000 residents — leading officials to freeze new registrations due to capacity limits.
In this environment of scarcity, LGBTQ+ residents face systemic discrimination and physical violence from fellow refugees and local authorities alike.
Aspect of Camp Life - Specific Dangers Faced by LGBTQ+ Refugees
Housing & Security: Flimsy shelters made of tarps and mud are routinely targeted for house invasions. Residents report having their tents slashed, facing arson threats, and receiving anonymous letters demanding they leave. Diseases like typhoid fever and malaria are rampant.
Daily Infrastructure: Basic tasks like fetching water or purchasing food become hazardous. LGBTQ+ individuals report being ambushed, robbed and beaten at night, and having their small businesses burned down. Simple pursuits, such as gathering to play football, have been met with homophobic confrontations and threats.
Law Enforcement: Local security officers subject queer refugees — particularly trans women — to extortion and verbal abuse. In one instance, security forces confiscated $50 from Amy under the threat of deporting her back to Uganda.
South Sudan’s own domestic laws compound these hazards. Same-sex relations remain criminalized, and cross-dressing is explicitly illegal for men — making transgender individuals prime targets for public humiliation, arrest, and police harassment.
The Institutional Dilemma: Bureaucracy vs. Protection
For those attempting to seek justice or official protection, the system creates a catch-22. Former Ugandan human rights activist Kareem, who survived targeted harassment in Gorom before being resettled in Canada, described a key breakdown in humanitarian intervention:
Reporting Obstacles: When refugees report violence or hate crimes to the UNHCR, agency policies typically require formal police documentation to advance protection claims.
Fear of Authorities: Fearing arrest, extortion, or physical violence from the police — who enforce South Sudan’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws — refugees are terrified to report crimes to law enforcement.
Institutional Limitations: Consequently, abuse remains unrecorded, leaving aid organizations unable to expedite critical interventions or relocations.
In response, UNHCR representatives state that protecting vulnerable asylum-seekers remains a top priority. The agency utilizes confidential reporting channels, case management, psychosocial support, and advocacy with local authorities to mitigate harm and foster peaceful coexistence within the settlement. Nevertheless, on-the-ground reality dictates that aid agencies operate within host countries that legally criminalize the very identities they are trying to protect.
A further barrier to resettlement is Canada's ongoing Ebola-related travel and immigration restrictions, which have stalled all refugee resettlement from South Sudan and other African countries. These measures have been extended until November 27, 2026, and it is likely they will be extended again into 2027.
A Call for Resettlement and Global Awareness
For the majority of LGBTQ+ refugees in Gorom, local integration or returning home are impossible options. While success stories exist — such as Kareem’s eventual resettlement in Canada in early 2026 — thousands remain trapped in extremely dangerous conditions. They urgently need resettlement to safe countries like Canada. Rainbow Railroad in Toronto and Vancouver’s Rainbow Refugee represent viable lifelines. ROAR has worked with both these organizations, and is currently assisting five refugees in South Sudan.
As human rights advocates emphasize, addressing the refugee crisis requires more than just humanitarian aid like food and shelter; it demands specialized emergency pathways for minorities facing targeted persecution within refugee populations. Without international attention and dedicated resettlement programs, LGBTQ+ refugees in Gorom remain trapped in an environment where seeking sanctuary comes at the cost of continuous fear.
For more information
Kate Plummer, "LGBTQ+ refugees face persecution in South Sudan's Gorom settlement." Geographical, 21 Sep 2026
https://geographical.co.uk/news/lgbtq-refugees-face-persecution-in-south-sudans-gorom-settlement
Abraham Junior, "The forgotten struggle: LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers in South Sudan." Washington Blade, 20 Jun 2025