International Railroad for Queer Refugees

At IRQR we passionately support the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ refugees to facilitate their journey to Canada.

Welcome to IRQR

IRQR expresses profound gratitude to its supporters for enabling its mission to aid LGBTQ+ refugees in Türkiye, offering essential support and empowering individuals to rebuild their lives. Through raising awareness and amplifying voices, IRQR envisions a world where LGBTQ+ individuals can live authentically and without fear. The organization collaborates closely with Marjan Foundation to sponsor refugees to come to Canada, expanding its reach and providing additional avenues for safety. Acknowledging the challenging reality facing refugees in Türkiye, IRQR emphasizes the importance of ongoing support in light of prolonged waiting periods for resettlement. The dedication of its team, volunteers, donors, and partners drives IRQR’s mission toward a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Arsham Parsi

Founder and Executive Director

Our Story

IRQR was born on October 8th, 2008, as a Federal non-for-profit organization after Arsham, Gilles, Johanne, and Paul came together in an effort to collectively fight for queer human rights in Iran. Their urgent target population in mind were people who had to escape Iran in fear of their safety based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Türkiye has been a popular destination for this group where they first arrive to seek asylum through United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Our Mission

Our mission is to relieve poverty for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) refugees who are victims of human rights abuse and fled Iran because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

They mostly live in Türkiye and we support them by providing the basic necessities of life. In our efforts to relieve poverty we also sponsor them and provide financial aid and resettlement assistance to them.

Our Efforts

Since 2008 IRQR has supported and empowered asylum seekers and refugees in Türkiye through IRQR’s fieldworks and discussion sessions while they wait to arrive at a safe third country and start a new chapter in their lives.

Most of our projects run through our sister organization, Marjan Foundation where we offer Private Sponsorship Program to eligible candidates and frequently travel to various cities in Türkiye to remain in contact with our target audience.

Visit Marjan Foundation

Support IRQR

Donate Now

IRQR is a registered charity and we depends on your donations to smoothly run our operations. Your money makes our vision come true.

Donate Now

Fundraise

Organizing fundraising events to encourage your families, friends, and colleagues is a great way to support IRQR and give refugees a new chance at life.

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Awards

Arsham Parsi, was honored with the esteemed Felipa de Souza Award by the New York-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). This accolade recognized his unwavering commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and equality.

Arsham Parsi’s tireless advocacy work earned him the prestigious Pride Toronto Award for Excellence in Human Rights. This recognition celebrated his significant contributions to promoting inclusivity and social justice within the LGBTQ+ community.

Arsham Parsi’s groundbreaking efforts were acknowledged internationally when he received the Trailblazer Award from Logo TV in New York, USA. This esteemed recognition highlighted his pioneering role in championing LGBTQ+ rights on a global scale.

Arsham Parsi’s legacy shines through two notable exhibits: the Canadian Human Rights Journey and Canada’s LGBT Human Rights display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba. These showcases highlight his pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights narratives in Canada and globally.