Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN) is the first registered LGBTIQ+ refugee-led organisation in Australia. It was officially registered in 2020. FDPN does not receive any funding to cover staff hours. FDPN supports LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers, refugees and forced migrants originating from non- Western countries. We are a member of Refugee Council of Australia, Settlement Council of Australia, LGBTIQ+ Health Alliance and Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network.
Here is a snapshot of our impact for 2020-2021:
•Facilitated community connections
•Established an LGBTIQ+ Refugee Advisory Group
•Auspiced an LGBTIQ+ refugee-led project in Melbourne focusing on mental health and suicide prevention
•Run a peer-support group for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people in Canberra
•Facilitated connections and referrals to relevant services.
•Provided financial support to LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people to cope with the impacts of COVID pandemic Australia-wide.
•Provided 70 people with grocery vouchers in total value of $10,000
•Provided 30 people with phone credits in total value of $500
•Supported 25 people with rent and medical costs in total value of $9,000
•Client support accounts for 50% of our expenses.
•Ran a series of online mental health sessions for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people in partnership with Meridian Inc.
•Ran a three-day retreat for queer refugee women on connection and wellbeing at the farm providing equine therapy
•Ran a workshop on online safety for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people
•Grant from Masterclass with free annual memberships for 80 people (worth $22k)
•Ran professional development sessions on the inclusion of the issues of LGBTIQ+ forced displacement for 7 state and national peak bodies and organisations working with refugees and LGBTIQ+ people and Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia.
•Delivered lectures on LGBTIQ+ forced displacement for students of the University of NSW, Monash University and Melbourne University
•Completing an online training module for services on the inclusion of the issues of LGBTIQ+ forced displacement
•Began the development of the national survey to document the issues that LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people experience with a focus on COVID impacts.
•Collected case studies from LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people on their experiences in Australia with regard tosafety, inclusion and service support
•Created the first Australian and global statement on action and solidarity for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people called Canberra Statement on the access to safety and justice for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people.
•Published a position paper on LGBTIQ+ inclusive resettlement in partnership with the Migration Council of Australia.
•Contributed to the national policy making on migration, asylum, homelessness and community sponsorship program.
•Engaged with the government and non-government stakeholders on issues of LGBTIQ+ forced displacement
•Ran public events such as webinars and workshops to increase the awareness on issues of LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people
•Created unique content on LGBTIQ+ forced displacement through social media, newsletters and blogs.
•Provided numerous media interviews and comments
•Drafted a chapter on integration of LGBTIQ+ refugees for UNHCR Handbook on Settlement.
•Guided the development of the UNHCR Global Roundtable on LGBTIQ+ Forced Displacement as a part of their Advisory Group.
•Co-led an event on gender and displacement at the 2021 Commission on the Status of Women with the Centre for Gender, Justice and Migration
•Delivered the opening plenary at Refugees, Borders and Immigration Summit, Malmo as a part of the 2021 World Pride
Forcibly Displaced People Network 