LONDON, UK — Micro Rainbow, a leading organisation dedicated to the integration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people who flee persecution and reach the UK in search of safety is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonia Lenegan as its new Non-Executive Director of Policy.
Micro Rainbow has been supporting LGBTQI refugees and people seeking asylum since 2012. It does this through three key programmes: safe housing, social inclusion and employability support. These programmes ensure that LGBTQI refugees are not only safe but also able to live fulfilling, independent lives. Micro Rainbow now operates 22 safe houses across the UK, based mainly in the West Midlands and London and the Southeast.
Sonia Lenegan’s appointment as Non-Executive Director of Policy brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. She is qualified solicitor and policy specialist, with a particular expertise in LGBTQI asylum. She has been practising as a solicitor for over 13 years and was previously Legal Director at the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association and Legal and Policy Director at Rainbow Migration.
Her proven leadership and strategic vision will enable Micro Rainbow to continue to expand its reach and impact in the LGBTQI refugee sector.
Micro Rainbow’s founder and CEO, Sebastian Rocca, said this about Sonia Lenegan’s appointment:
“I am delighted to welcome Sonia Lenegan as our first Non-Executive Director of Policy of Micro Rainbow. Sonia’s experience as a solicitor and policy specialist together with her passion to make the asylum system fairer for LGBTQI people is a natural fit with Micro Rainbow’s work.
“Micro Rainbow has grown enormously since it was founded in 2012. I am hugely proud that we can support more than 1,000 people every single year. Over the last 13 years we have gained unique insights into the issues faced by LGBTQI people fleeing persecution by providing frontline services such as safe housing, social inclusion and moving on support. We feel we are now ready to embrace a new challenge.
“With Sonia’s leadership Micro Rainbow will be able help even more people by engaging in some critical policy work around safe housing, detention, resettlement and much more. We look forward to working together to continue our mission of creating a safer world for LGBTQI people.”
Sonia Lenegan added:
“In my experience, the lack of safe housing is one of the biggest issues faced by LGBTQI people in the asylum system. Home and community are so important to all of us, and Micro Rainbow does incredible work in providing both of these things to those who need it most, as well as ensuring that people are able to swiftly rebuild their lives after being granted refugee status. With big plans for the future, this is an incredibly exciting time to be joining Micro Rainbow and I couldn’t be more thrilled”.
Micro Rainbow is confident that Sonia’s appointment will bring fresh perspectives and ideas that will help the organisation continue to thrive in its mission.
Learn more about how Micro Rainbow supports LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers with housing, social inclusion and moving on support. You can make a long-term commitment to supporting Micro Rainbow’s beneficiaries by becoming an ally.
About Micro Rainbow
Founded in 2012 Micro Rainbow is the leading not for profit organisation in the UK supporting the integration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people who flee persecution and reach the UK in search of safety. Micro Rainbow’s holistic approach to integration is based on three pillars: safe housing, social inclusion, and employability support. These programmes ensure that LGBTQI refugees are not only safe but also able to live fulfilling, independent lives. Micro Rainbow has won several awards for innovation and as a top social enterprise and is recognised for creating the first ever national safe housing scheme for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution, with a capacity of 31,000 bed-nights a year. Micro Rainbow is committed to eradicating the homelessness of people fleeing persecution in the UK. It continues to raise social investment to make that happen.
