Qaravan is a New York community-based nonprofit that supports and empowers LGBTQ+ immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus through community organizing, advocacy, cultural visibility, and direct support. Formed in 2008, RUSA LGBTQ+ has welcomed many LGBTQ immigrants, asylums and asylum seekers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mol
dova, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan and other countries of the former Soviet Union. RUSA LGBTQ+ group welcomes everyone who has ties to the Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ community to join the group and to get involved. RUSA LGBTQ+ organizes social events to increase acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people within the Russian-speaking community, and provides informational support to those who seek asylum as a result of anti-gay laws and increased homophobia in their countries. Through protest actions and campaigns, we strive to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights violations in the countries of the former Soviet Union. RUSA LGBTQ+ stands with all LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide in their fight for equality, social justice, human and civil rights.
