The Danish Red Cross has introduced a structured inclusion strategy to improve safety and support for LGBTIQ+ residents in asylum centers. Each center has a trained focal point to maintain referral pathways, share knowledge, and connect with external organizations. New arrivals benefit from inclusive orientation sessions and early health screenings by sensitized nurses, while partnerships with the Danish Refugee Council provide tailored legal advice and LGBT Asylum offers peer-led psychosocial support. Staff receive standardized training on protection, anti-harassment, and minority rights, complemented by social initiatives such as buddy systems and access to mobile information tools.
Despite these measures, challenges remain, including residents’ reluctance to disclose their identity to staff and the logistical barriers of accessing specialized services across different locations. Key lessons point to the need for trust-building, sustained collaboration with LGBTIQ+-led organizations, and a culture of inclusion that extends beyond focal points to all staff. The experience shows that inclusion is most effective when embedded into daily practice, ensuring asylum seekers are not only protected but also supported in ways that respect identity and dignity.