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Gayther Refugee and Migrant Country Guides

Laos

Asia and South-eastern Asia
Help and assistance for Refugees and Migrants
GAYTHER REFUGEE AND MIGRANT COUNTRY GUIDES

00 | FOREWORD

Designed to help you
researching your options
Welcome to the foreword section of the refugee and migrant country guides. This section provides an overview of the guides and the interactive contents section, designed to help you navigate the guide quickly and easily.

Welcome

| TO THE LGBTQIA+ REFUGEE AND MIGRANT GUIDES

Gayther Sections - Refugee Intro
The Gayther Refugee and Migrant guides are designed to support people from the global community; however, they are not exclusively LGBTQIA+ guides, as they contain information, resources, and tips that can help anyone seeking refuge or fleeing challenging situations and circumstances where they live. The guides provide valuable and key information for anyone researching their options, a resource for everyone, allies, friends, and anyone looking to understand the world better, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

No one chooses to become a refugee or an economic migrant; it is typically something that happens to them and is often out of their control. Whether through those in power abusing their position with regard to policies and laws that target the vulnerable, or through war and conflict taking place around where they live. Though it is often forgotten, the cause is war, conflict, mismanagement and abuse of power; the victims are those affected, the refugees and migrants forced to leave their homes and all they have known.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where identifying as a refugee or economic migrant often comes with labels, unfair stereotypes and preconceptions. If you are someone that is seeking refuge, desperate for help and looking for safety and the ability to ensure your fundamental human rights, such as the right to shelter, food and access to healthcare, remember this was done to you, that you are not at fault, you are not to blame and though it may seem like the world is against you, many people, organisations and nations are willing and able to provide you with the support and help you need.

The relationship between those seeking refuge or assistance and those providing it is a social contract, a long-term relationship, based on trust and collaboration. In providing sanctuary, those receiving help will likely have to make a conscious commitment, one in which they work to integrate into their new homes and communities, as well as accept and understand that they are now in a country that has different customs and cultures than the ones they might be used to and know. Finally, everyone acknowledges that integration is the journey, one that will likely take time and commitment, not the final destination.

The guides showcase the state of individual countries, the ratings on the Safe Country Index, the Gayther LGBTQIA+ Equality Index, and the LGBTQIA+ Safe Country Index, all key indicators of how each country treats its people, especially LGBTQIA+ people. You will learn more about the political environment, refugee statistics, useful phrases in the local languages, healthcare information, details about the country as a whole, and, most importantly, a valuable tool that provides estimated distances to the nearest safe countries from where they are located. Whatever your situation, the guides are a helpful tool when researching your options.
We hope you get the support and help you need, and that your situation gets resolved quickly. Wishing you a safe journey from all of us at Gayther.

Contents

| IN PAGE LINKS

Gayther Sections - Phrases
USEFUL PHRASES
Discover all the everyday words and phrases in the languages spoken within the country or region. Phrases from greetings, how to communicate during an emergency, basic instructions and terms for directions and seeking guidance

01 | ABOUT

Learn more about the
country
Learn more about the country, from its official name to its flag and demonyms, as well as the nation’s standing on the safe country index.
Laos Flag
LAOS
(pronounced - laws | laʊs)
OFFICIAL NAME: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
DEMONYMS: Lao, Laotian, Asian
Laos is part of the South-eastern Asia region in the continent of Asia. Laos is believed to have been named after Lava, the molten rock or magma. It is in the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, near the equator and is 236.8 thousand square kilometres in size. The primary language spoken is Lao, the capital city is Vientiane, and the main currency used is the Kip.

Metrics

| KEY STATISTICS

AMBER
2024 SAFE COUNTRY ASSESSMENT


LGBTQIA+ Equality - Medium-Low
Medium-Low
LGBTQIA+ EQUALITY STATUS

What does the LGBTQIA+ equality status mean? Click here for more information
AMBER
2024 LGBTQIA+ SAFE COUNTRY ASSESSMENT


Geography

| ABOUT THE LOCATION

Refugee Country Guide - Geography Capital Icon
CAPITAL
Vientiane
Refugee Country Guide - Geography Regions Icon
REGION
South-eastern Asia
Refugee Country Guide - Geography Continent Icon
CONTINENT
Asia
Refugee Country Guide - Geography Hemisphere Icon
HEMISPHERE
Tropics
Refugee Country Guide - Geography Area Icon
AREA
236800

(square kilometers)

Refugee Country Guide - Geography Ocean Icon
SURROUNDING OCEAN(S)
Landlocked
Region Image
Discover more on Gayther
COUNTRY AND REGIONS
To help you explore the various countries and regions, we have created links to relevant tools, services, and guides.
Gayther Sections - About

02 | REFUGEE CONVENTIONS & POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

The political environment and
sovereignty
Discover more about the country’s political environment, sovereignty, and whether the nation has signed up to the Geneva Refugee Convention and protocol.

Political

| AND REFUGEE CONVENTIONS

Refugee Country Guide - Government Section (500px)

LGBTQIA+

| REFUGEE STATISTICS

The estimated refugee statistical information is adapted based on the refugee data finder service for the current year and by applying the formula used by the Gayther Population Index

Refugee Country Guide - Refugees (200px) - White
REFUGEES
0
Refugee Country Guide - Asylum Icon (200px) - White
ASYLUM
0
Refugee Country Guide - Total (200px) - White
TOTAL DISPLACED
0
Refugee Country Guide - Internally Displaced Icon (200px) - White
INTERNALLY DISPLACED
0
Refugee Country Guide - Stateless (200px) - White
STATELESS
0
Refugee Country Guide - Rank Icon (200px) - White
RANK
-
Find and explore
Knowing what is available and finding services and support in the country you plan to seek refuge or asylum can be challenging. The Refugee and Migrant Services directory was designed for organisations, charities and groups in countries around the world to showcase what they do and how they can help those seeking support. Explore the directory and find organisations, groups and services tailored to help people like you.

USEFUL PHRASES | CRIME TERMS

Common phrases and terms in the local language(s)
IMPORTANT:
All of the languages and terms featured within the useful phrases tool are literal translations and have not been validated or verified. The tool is provided free of charge, and by using it, you accept that you are doing so at your own risk
Refugee Country Guide - Translations Crime (500px)
CRIME
ອາຊະຍາກໍາ (lao)
ABUSE
ການລ່ວງລະເມີດ (lao)
AFRAID
ຢ້ານ (lao)
ASSISTANCE
ຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ (lao)
ASYLUM
asylum (lao)
DEATH
ການເສຍຊີວິດ (lao)
DETENTION
ການກັກຂັງ (lao)
DISPLACE
ເຄື່ອນທີ່ (lao)
KIDNAPPING
ການລັກພາຕົວ (lao)
PERSECUTION
ນາງພຽງຄົນດຽວ (lao)
RAPE
ການຂົ່ມຂືນ (lao)
SCARED
ຢ້ານ (lao)
WAR
ສົງຄາມ (lao)

03 | NOTIFICATIONS

Key notices and information about the
country
Learn more about the current state of the country, where it stands on the LGBTQIA+ equality index, whether it has signed the Refugee Convention or Protocol, and key links to government and supporting organisational resources.
LAST UPDATED:  June 18, 2024
×  MEDIUM RISK  | LGBTQIA+ discretion is advised. Though the country may have some progressive laws in place, there might be issues for refugees and migrants from the community....read more

Latest

| STATUS

  • LGBTQIA+ RELATED | The country typically scores medium-high or medium-low within the Gayther Equality Index. The score means that the government and society are potentially transitioning regarding acceptance. Though the country may have some progressive laws in place in certain areas, they still need to make progress in the overall rights and protection for the wider local LGBTQIA+ community...more
  • CURRENT STATE | There are currently no known issues or armed conflicts taking place within this country
  • This country is categorised as being an authoritarian regime, where power is centralised and held by a specific group of individuals within the population and where there are suppressed or no political challengers...more
  • GENEVA REFUGEE STATUS | This country did not sign up to either the refugee convention or protocol, which outlines the agreed criteria, status and rights of refugees...more
  • LGBTQIA+ ASYLUM APPLICATIONS | Given this country's position on the LGBTQIA+ community, it is unlikely that they will accept asylum applications (membership of a particular social group) based on being persecuted for identifying with a specific sexuality or gender identity.
UNHCR Country Information Service
DISCOVER THE LATEST INFORMATION FOR REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND STATELESS PEOPLE. LEARN ABOUT HOW TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM, RIGHTS AND DUTIES AND MORE



Government

| INFORMATION

Refugee Country Guide - Border Control Badge
LAOS
BORDER FORCE OR ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ກົມກວດຄົນເຂົ້າເມືອງ ແຫ່ງ ສປປ ລາວ

The border force, customs or entry services are typically linked to the police or interior ministries within a government. All services and functions are designed to control and manage a particular country’s border. The entry services are typically related to the issuing and management of visas. Some countries may require a permit to enter, leave, or stay for a specified time

Refugee Country Guide - Government Badge
LAOS
GOVERNMENT
ສະພາແຫ່ງຊາດ | sapha heng xat

A government is comprised of a group of people within a given country with authority to govern a country or state. Governments are typically made up of heads of state (presidents, prime ministers or chief), departments and ministries which represent specific functions and provide services for all those citizens living within the country

Refugee Country Guide - Immigration Badge
LAOS
MINISTRY OF IMMIGRATION OR THE INTERIOR
evisa | ກະຊວງການຕ່າງປະເທດ ແຫ່ງ ສປປ ລາວ

The immigration office or ministry is typically a department or organisation within a government that focuses on all things relating to immigration and residency. The department will often manage visa and residency applications, issuing of passports and national ids and all of the relevant rights for living within a given country

A tool to help during a crisis
With over 7,000 languages spoken globally, communicating with officials and those offering assistance can be challenging. The Refugee Communication Tool (RCT) is a valuable resource designed for refugees and those individuals providing assistance, enabling them to communicate with one another. The online tool enables users to select, point, and enter the necessary information in their language and in English, choosing literal translations from a list of over 100 of the most popular and commonly spoken languages globally. Explore the RCT today

04 | HEALTHCARE RELATED

key information relating to
healthcare services
Explore the type of healthcare, whether universal healthcare is available, the healthcare authority and the name of the healthcare service.

Overview

| HEALTHCARE INFORMATION

Gayther Healthcare - Universal Healthcare
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
No
Gayther Healthcare - Healthcare Category
HEALTHCARE CATEGORY
Social Insurance (Bismarck)
Gayther Healthcare - Healthcare Authority
HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY
National Social Security Fund
Gayther Healthcare - Healthcare Name
HEALTHCARE NAME
ປະກັນສຸຂະພາບ | pakan sukhaphab
If you are residing within and are travelling to any of the European Union countries (27 countries), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, you might be eligible to the EHIC, which provides you with access to emergency care for free or at a reduced rate depending on the country.
Discover more on Gayther
HEALTH
To learn more about health-related resources, we have created links to relevant tools, services and guides.
Gayther Sections - Health

05 | EMERGENCY INFORMATION

All the essential information needed during an
emergency
When the worst happens, it is important to establish quickly the numbers and ways to reach out to get the help you need. The emergency contacts section provides telephone numbers for emergency services, including ambulances, police and fire rescue.

Emergency

| SERVICES

Lao | Hmong
Official Language(s) spoken in Laos
The emergency service numbers within Laos to call during an emergency
  • AMBULANCE - when someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk (emergency medical services and technical rescue)
  • POLICE - when you feel in danger, are in dangerous situations or have witnessed a crime (law enforcement, criminal investigation, and maintenance of public order)
  • FIRE RESCUE - when a fire occurs or where a person needs rescue (fire suppression, technical rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation)


Ambulance
AMBULANCE
ຂົນສົ່ງຄົນເຈັບ (lao)

dial
190

Call Ambulance Service Now

Police
POLICE
ຕໍາຫຼວດ (lao)

dial
191

Call Police Now

Fire
FIRE
ໄຟ (lao)

dial
195

Call Fire Service Now


Support

| GROUPS

When going through something challenging, we often feel alone and unable to view the situation objectively. Negative feelings and thoughts can make a situation seem worse and make us feel like no hope or end is in sight. Whatever the problem, issue, or challenge, someone has likely faced similar life obstacles. Issues they are going through now or ones that they have already overcome.

Support groups and services are typically made up of trained professionals and people who have faced similar problems. They have either overcome challenges or found ways to cope with and manage them. These exceptional groups and services are extraordinary, especially those needing a lifeline. Thousands of local and national groups and services help millions of people worldwide. Many of these people have faced some of the most demanding challenges of their lives.

Discover support groups and resources available within the country or region.
Discover more on Gayther
EMERGENCY RESOURCES
To help you get help quickly, we have created links to relevant tools, services and guides.
Gayther Sections - Emergency

06 | DISTANCE TO SAFE COUNTRIES

The distance to the top five
Safe Countries
A safe country of origin, defined within the Geneva Convention, is free from international or internal armed conflict. One that does not persecute, use the threat of violence or torture its citizens, whether temporarily or permanently. Furthermore, it neither endorses nor implements inhuman, degrading treatments or punishments. Lastly, it operates a democratic system, and the general political environment allows for civil freedoms. Each country implements its own definition of what makes a safe country, and all countries do not use one list

Top

| FIVE COUNTRIES

Take pride in
Leaving your country, all that you know, often your family and people that you care about, to venture out in the world to find a safe place takes real courage. Many face challenges, obstacles and even when they finally find a safe place to settle, they quickly discover a whole new set of problems, from language barriers to new cultural and societal traditions, all of which can be complicated for many refugees. The pride in series showcases the bravery and resilience of the many refugees around the world, people who, through no fault of their own, face difficult decisions every day. Explore the pride in series today.

USEFUL PHRASES | PROCESSING

Common phrases and terms in the local language(s)
IMPORTANT:
All of the languages and terms featured within the useful phrases tool are literal translations and have not been validated or verified. The tool is provided free of charge, and by using it, you accept that you are doing so at your own risk
Refugee Country Guide - Translations Process (500px)
PROCESSING
ການປະມວນຜົນ (lao)
APPLICANT
ຜູ້ສະຫມັກ (lao)
APPLICATION FORM
ຮູບແບບຄໍາຮ້ອງສະຫມັກ (lao)
ASYLUM SEEKER
ຜູ້ຂໍລີ້ໄພ (lao)
CITIZENSHIP
ພົນລະເມືອງ (lao)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
ປະເທດຕົ້ນກໍາເນີດ (lao)
DATE OF BIRTH
ວັນ​ເດືອນ​ປີ​ເກີດ (lao)
DISPLACEMENT
ຍ້າຍ (lao)
GENDER
ບົດບາດຍິງຊາຍ (lao)
MIGRANT
ຜູ້ອົບພະຍົບ (lao)
NAME
ຊື່ (lao)
NATIONALITY
ສັນຊາດ (lao)
PROOF
ຫຼັກຖານສະແດງ (lao)
REFUGEE
ຊາວອົບພະຍົບ (lao)
RELIGION
ສາສະຫນາ (lao)
RETURN
ກັບຄືນ (lao)
SEXUALITY
ເພດວິຖີໃນ (lao)
STATUS
ສະຖານະພາບ (lao)
TRANSIT
ການຂົນສົ່ງ (lao)

07 | LGBTQIA+ RELATED

The laws, treatment and attitudes towards the
LGBTQIA+ community
Explore the laws and societal attitudes the country has regarding the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether from the community, an ally or someone concerned about where they are visiting, the LGBTQIA+-related section highlights many key areas that might affect visitors and those living within the country or region

IMPORTANT: This section has been created to provide general and basic understandings regarding LGBTQIA+ global rights and treatments. It is essential that before travelling, you independently establish information relating specifically to your requirements and circumstances. If you are unsure or concerned about your safety regarding visiting a specific destination, it is advisable to consult with your country’s foreign office, which will provide advice and guidance regarding destinations around the world.

Equality

| STATUS

LGBTQIA+ Equality - Medium-Low
Medium-Low
LGBTQIA+ EQUALITY STATUS

Key

| AREAS

Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Population Icon
LGBTQIA+ POPULATION
c.204.2 thousand
Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Dollar Icon
LGBTQIA+ DOLLAR
c.194.4 million
Gayther Sections- Life Sections
LGBTQIA+ ILLEGAL
No
Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Anti-Discrimination Icon
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS IN PLACE
No
(none in place)
Discover more about the community
Learn more about how this country treats members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The equality index is based at a national level and covers areas ranging from same-sex marriages to gender recognition
Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Same-Sex Unions Icon
SAME-SEX UNIONS RECOGNISED
No
Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Marriage Icon
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE RECOGNISED
No
Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Gender Recognition Icon
LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION
No
Refugee Country Guide - LGBTQIA+ Gay Conversion Therapy Icon
GAY CONVERSION THERAPY BANNED
No

LGBTQIA+

| TERMS

Learn the literal translations of key LGBTQIA+ terms in the local languages/dialects
Lesbian Flag
Lesbian
ແມ່ຍິງມັກແມ່ (lao)
Gay Flag
Gay
ເກ (lao)
Bisexual Flag
Bisexual
ດອກມີສອງເພດ (lao)
Transgender Flag
Transgender
transgender (lao)
Intersex Flag
Intersex
intersex (lao)
Asexual Flag
Asexual
asexual (lao)
Questioning Flag
Questioning
ການສອບຖາມ (lao)
Community Flag
Community
ຊຸມຊົນ (lao)
Gender Flag
Gender
ເພດທີ່ກ່ຽວຂ້ອງ (lao)
Sexuality Flag
Sexuality
ເພດທີ່ກ່ຽວຂ້ອງ (lao)
Non-Bingary Flag
Non-Binary
ບໍ່ແມ່ນຄູ່ສອງ (lao)
Queer Flag
Queer
queer (lao)
Refugee Country Guide - Language Country (300px)
Learn more about what it means to be an
Identifying as a refugee or seeking asylum is not something people choose; instead, it is something that happens. Unfortunately, conflicts occur at any given time around the world. Whether a civil war or a battle between two or more countries, all severely impact the civilian population. Poverty, social inequality, racism, persecution, and so many more factors mean those affected have no choice but to leave their homes in search of a better future. For those affected, returning home would likely result in having to face vigilante militias, long prison sentences or, in some cases, certain death. For most refugees, the only solution is to relocate to another, safer country, because staying at home or within their country poses a significant risk. For the LGBTQIA+ community, with over a quarter of the world still criminalising same-sex relationships, the risk is very real. Learn more about what it means to be an LGBTQIA+ refugee, a resource-packed guide complete with helpful resources and interactive tools.
Discover more on Gayther
LGBTQIA+
We have created links to relevant tools, services and guides to learn more about all things relating to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Gayther Guides - LGBTQIA+

08 | COUNTRY NAME

The country name in
many languages

Discover the name of this country in other languages. The name is sorted by country name and languages spoken (in alphabetical order) and can be accessed by clicking on the quick links below. If you want to learn more about any given country, please click on the flag or the country name, which will open the required content in a new window



A  
Afghanistan Flag
- (dari) | لاوس (pashto)
Albania Flag
laos (albanian)
Algeria Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | laos (french)
American Samoa Flag
laos (samoan)
Andorra Flag
laos (catalan)
Angola Flag
laos (portuguese)
Anguilla Flag
laos (english)
Antigua and Barbuda Flag
laos (english)
Argentina Flag
laos (spanish)
Armenia Flag
լաոս (armenian)
Australia Flag
laos (english)
Austria Flag
laos (german)
Azerbaijan Flag
laos (azerbaijani)


B  
Bahamas, The Flag
laos (english)
Bahrain Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Bangladesh Flag
লাত্তস (bengali)
Barbados Flag
laos (english)
Belarus Flag
лаос (belarusian) | лаос [laos] (russian)
Belgium Flag
laos (dutch) | laos (french) | laos (german)
Belize Flag
laos (english) | laos (spanish)
Benin Flag
laos (french)
Bermuda Flag
laos (english)
Bhutan Flag
- (dzongkha)
Bolivia Flag
laos (spanish) | - (aymara) | - (quechua)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Flag
laos (bosnian) | laos (croatian) | лаос [laos] (serbian)
Botswana Flag
laos (english) | - (tswana)
Brazil Flag
laos (portuguese)
British Virgin Islands Flag
laos (english)
Brunei Darussalam Flag
laos (malay) | laos (english)
Bulgaria Flag
лаос (bulgarian)
Burkina Faso Flag
laos (french)
Burundi Flag
laos (french) | - (kirundi)


C  
Cambodia Flag
ប្រទេសឡាវ (khmer)
Cameroon Flag
laos (english) | laos (french)
Canada Flag
laos (english) | laos (french)
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) Flag
laos (portuguese)
Caribbean Netherlands Flag
laos (dutch) | laos (english) | - (papiamentu)
Cayman Islands Flag
laos (english)
Central African Republic Flag
- (sango) | laos (french)
Chad Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | laos (french)
Channel Islands Flag
laos (english) | laos (french)
Chile Flag
laos (spanish)
China Flag
老挝 [lǎowō] (mandarin)
Colombia Flag
laos (spanish)
Comoros Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | - (comorian) | laos (french)
Congo, D.Rep Flag
laos (french)
Congo, Rep Flag
laos (french)
Cook Islands Flag
laos (english) | laos (māori)
Costa Rica Flag
laos (spanish)
Croatia Flag
laos (croatian)
Cuba Flag
laos (spanish)
Cyprus Flag
λάος [láos] (greek) | laos (turkish)


D E F  
Denmark Flag
laos (danish)
Djibouti Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | laos (french)
Dominica Flag
laos (english)
Dominican Republic Flag
laos (spanish)
East Timor (Timor-Leste) Flag
laos (portuguese) | - (tetum)
Ecuador Flag
laos (spanish)
Egypt Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
El Salvador Flag
laos (spanish)
Equatorial Guinea Flag
laos (spanish) | laos (french)
Eritrea Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | ላኦስ (tigrinya) | - (tigre) | laos (english)
Estonia Flag
laos (estonian)
Ethiopia Flag
ላኦስ (amharic)
Fiji Flag
- (fijian) | - (hindustani) | laos (english)
Finland Flag
laos (finnish) | laos (swedish)
France Flag
laos (french)
French Guiana Flag
laos (french) | laos (french guianese creole)
French Polynesia Flag
laos (french)


G  
Gabon Flag
laos (french)
Gambia, The Flag
laos (english)
Georgia Flag
- (abkhaz) | ლაოსი (georgian) | - (ossetic)
Germany Flag
laos (german)
Ghana Flag
laos (english)
Gibraltar Flag
laos (english)
Greece Flag
λάος [láos] (greek)
Greenland Flag
- (kalaallisut) | laos (danish)
Grenada Flag
laos (english)
Guadeloupe Flag
laos (spanish)
Guam Flag
laos (english) | - (chamorro)
Guatemala Flag
laos (spanish)
Guinea Flag
laos (french)
Guinea-Bissau Flag
laos (portuguese)
Guyana Flag
laos (english)


H I J  
Haiti Flag
laos (french) | laos (haitian creole)
Honduras Flag
laos (spanish)
Hong Kong Flag
老撾 [lǎowō] (cantonese) | laos (english)
Hungary Flag
laosz (hungarian)
Iceland Flag
laos (icelandic)
India Flag
लाओस (hindi) | laos (english)
Indonesia Flag
laos (indonesian)
Iran, Islamic Republic of Flag
لائوس (persian)
Iraq Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Ireland Flag
laos (irish (gaelic)) | laos (english)
Isle of Man Flag
laos (english)
Israel Flag
לאוס (hebrew)
Italy Flag
laos (italian)
Jamaica Flag
laos (english)
Japan Flag
ラオス (japanese)
Jordan Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)


K L  
Kazakhstan Flag
лаос (kazakh)
Kenya Flag
laos (swahili) | laos (english)
Kiribati Flag
- (gilbertese) | laos (english)
Korea, North (D.Rep) Flag
라오스 [laoseu] (korean)
Korea, South (Rep) Flag
라오스 [laoseu] (korean)
Kosovo, Republic of Flag
laos (albanian) | лаос [laos] (serbian)
Kuwait Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Kyrgyzstan Flag
лаос (kirghiz)
Laos Flag
ລາວ (lao)
Latvia Flag
laosa (latvian)
Lebanon Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Lesotho Flag
laos (sesotho) | laos (english)
Liberia Flag
laos (english)
Libya Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Liechtenstein Flag
laos (german)
Lithuania Flag
laosas (lithuanian)
Luxembourg Flag
laos (luxembourgish) | laos (french) | laos (german)


M  
Macau Flag
老撾 [lǎowō] (cantonese) | laos (portuguese)
Madagascar Flag
laos (malagasy) | laos (french)
Malawi Flag
laos (chichewa) | laos (english)
Malaysia Flag
laos (malay)
Maldives Flag
- (dhivehi)
Mali Flag
laos (french)
Malta Flag
laos (maltese) | laos (english)
Marshall Islands Flag
- (marshallese) | laos (english)
Martinique Flag
laos (french)
Mauritania Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Mauritius Flag
laos (french) | laos (english)
Mayotte Flag
laos (french)
Mexico Flag
laos (spanish)
Micronesia, F.S Flag
laos (english) | - (chuukese) | - (kosraean) | - (pohnpeian) | - (yapese)
Moldova Flag
laos (moldovan)
Monaco Flag
laos (french)
Mongolia Flag
лаос (mongolian)
Montenegro Flag
лаос [laos] (montenegrin)
Morocco Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Mozambique Flag
laos (portuguese)
Myanmar Flag
လာအိုနိုင်ငံ (burmese)


N  
Namibia Flag
laos (english)
Nauru Flag
- (nauruan) | laos (english)
Nepal Flag
लाओस (nepali)
Netherlands Flag
laos (dutch)
Netherlands Antilles Flag
laos (english)
New Caledonia Flag
laos (french)
New Zealand Flag
laos (english) | laos (māori)
Nicaragua Flag
laos (spanish)
Niger Flag
laos (french)
Nigeria Flag
laos (english)
Niue Flag
- (niuean) | laos (english)
North Macedonia Flag
лаос (macedonian)
Northern Mariana Islands Flag
laos (english) | - (chamorro) | - (carolinian)
Norway Flag
laos (norwegian)


O P Q  
Oman Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Pakistan Flag
لاؤس (urdu)
Palau Flag
- (palauan) | laos (english)
Palestine, State of Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Panama Flag
laos (spanish)
Papua New Guinea Flag
laos (english)
Paraguay Flag
laos (spanish) | લાઓસ (guaraní)
Peru Flag
laos (spanish) | - (quechua)
Philippines Flag
laos (filipino)
Pitcairn Islands Flag
- (pitkern) | laos (english)
Poland Flag
laos (polish)
Portugal Flag
laos (portuguese)
Puerto Rico Flag
laos (spanish) | laos (english)
Qatar Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)


R S  
Reunion Flag
laos (french)
Romania Flag
laos (romanian)
Russia Flag
лаос [laos] (russian)
Rwanda Flag
laos (kinyarwanda) | laos (english) | laos (french)
Saint Helena Flag
laos (english)
Saint Kitts and Nevis Flag
laos (english)
Saint Lucia Flag
laos (english)
Saint Martin (Dutch) Flag
laos (dutch) | laos (english)
Saint Martin (French) Flag
laos (french)
Samoa Flag
laos (samoan) | laos (english)
San Marino Flag
laos (italian)
Sao Tome and Principe Flag
laos (portuguese)
Saudi Arabia Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Senegal Flag
laos (french)
Serbia Flag
лаос [laos] (serbian)
Seychelles Flag
- (seychellois creole) | laos (english) | laos (french)
Sierra Leone Flag
laos (english)
Singapore Flag
老挝 [lǎowō] (mandarin) | laos (english) | laos (malay) | லாவோஸ் (tamil)
Slovakia Flag
laos (slovak)
Slovenia Flag
laos (slovene)
Solomon Islands Flag
laos (english)
Somalia Flag
laos (somali) | لاوس [laws] (arabic)
South Africa Flag
laos (afrikaans) | laos (english) | - (southern ndebele) | laos (sesotho) | laos (zulu) | - (northern sotho) | - (tswana) | - (swazi) | - (venda) | - (tsonga)
South Sudan Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Spain Flag
laos (spanish) | laos (catalan) | laos (galician)
Sri Lanka Flag
ලාඕසය (sinhalese) | லாவோஸ் (tamil) | laos (english)
Sudan Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Suriname Flag
laos (dutch)
Swaziland (Eswatini) Flag
- (swazi) | laos (english)
Sweden Flag
laos (swedish)
Switzerland Flag
laos (german) | laos (french) | laos (italian) | laos (romansh)
Syria Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | laos (french) | laos (english)


T  
Taiwan Flag
老挝 [lǎowō] (mandarin)
Tajikistan Flag
лаос (tajik)
Tanzania Flag
laos (swahili) | laos (english)
Thailand Flag
ลาว (thai)
Togo Flag
laos (french)
Tokelau Flag
- (tokelauan)
Tonga Flag
- (tongan) | laos (english)
Trinidad and Tobago Flag
laos (english)
Tunisia Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic) | laos (french)
Turkey (Turkiye) Flag
laos (turkish)
Turkmenistan Flag
laos (turkmen)
Turks and Caicos Islands Flag
laos (english)
Tuvalu Flag
- (tuvaluan) | laos (english)


U V W X Y Z  
Uganda Flag
laos (english)
Ukraine Flag
лаос [laos] (ukrainian)
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
United Kingdom (UK) Flag
laos (english)
Uruguay Flag
laos (spanish)
US Virgin Islands Flag
laos (english)
Uzbekistan Flag
laos (uzbek)
Vanuatu Flag
laos (english) | laos (french)
Vatican City (Holy See) Flag
laos (latin) | laos (italian)
Venezuela Flag
laos (spanish)
Vietnam Flag
lào (vietnamese)
Wallis and Futuna Flag
laos (french) | - (wallisian) | - (futunan)
Yemen Flag
لاوس [laws] (arabic)
Zambia Flag
laos (english)
Zimbabwe Flag
laos (english) | rayosi (shona) | - (northern ndebele)

09| LGBTQIA+ REFUGEE TOOLS

All those people fleeing
bombs, bullets and tyrants
Typically, becoming a refugee is not a choice; instead, it happens. Events or circumstances result in people leaving their homes, regions or countries fleeing for their lives. Wars, violence or persecution are the cause in most cases. When people are forced to flee, they often travel to safer countries to seek asylum.

Refugees

| OVERVIEW

Many countries worldwide have improved the rights and protections of community members; however, with over 60 countries still criminalising same-sex relationships, many are still in danger. Furthermore, over ten countries still hand down a death sentence as a maximum penalty if prosecuted, meaning LGBTQIA+ people today face persecution and substantial personal risks to their lives.

For the millions of LGBTQIA+ individuals living in hostile countries, accepting their sexuality or gender identity can see them become a target and create considerable risks to their personal safety and lives. Leaving their homes, family, and all they have ever known, travelling to a new, safer country for many is the only option. Making a decision based on religious or sexual beliefs is a significant step for many. They are constantly aware that deciding to seek asylum based on these grounds could mean they will likely never return home.
Discover all of the refugee and migrant resources on Gayther
Understand more about refugees and migrants, definitions and meanings
Learn more about what it means to be an LGBTQIA+ refugee or migrant

Refugee

| MEANING

The term refugee describes a person or group of individuals forced to leave their home due to war, violence or persecution. Refugees will have crossed one or more international borders to find safety in another country, and returning home would likely endanger their lives. Members of the United Nations, also known as the UN, defined the terms and treatments related to refugees. However, the word has had a specific meaning over the past thirty years. It has been used to describe anyone looking to start a life in a new country that is safe or has a more robust economy.

A significant development occurred in 2012 when the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees amended the guidelines to allow those seeking asylum to do so on the grounds of persecution due to a person’s gender or sexual orientation. However, the challenge for many seeking asylum on those grounds is proving it to officials or assessors.
A tool displays the local name of a country in local languages with links to Gayther resources
A tool for any refugee or those in a position to assist in communicating and explaining their situation
Access the directory and discover all of the charities, organisations and groups
Discover more on Gayther
LGBTQIA+ REFUGEES
To learn more about all things relating to LGBTQIA+ refugees, we have created links to relevant tools, services, and guides.
Gayther Resources - Refugees

Search

| SPECIALIST DIRECTORIES

The big directory comprises fourteen groups and over one thousand categories, from travel accommodation to home maintenance

There are thousands of events taking place, it is not always easy to know what is going on and when, Gayther can help

The Care Providers and Services directory lists businesses and services that are inclusive and welcoming to all

There are millions of non-profit organisations, advice services, and support groups worldwide, all designed to help you

The term refugee describes a person or group of individuals forced to leave their home due to war, violence or persecution

10 | DISCOVER MORE

When we explore, we learn; the more we know, the greater our
understanding of the world
Gayther is a positive platform for everyone. One that empowers people to understand more about the LGBTQIA+ community by dispelling misinformation, to showcase all aspects of the exceptional and diverse global community and all that it contributes to the world
Learn more about Gayther; it’s history, values and mission
Discover Gayther Care, a site dedicated to community support and care
Discover all about the LGBTQIA+ community from the many resources available
Planning a trip? Gayther provides extensive country guides for every country across the globe
Find the information you need quickly with the wide range of guides available on Gayther
Be inspired and have some fun, with a wide range of articles, personality tests, quizzes and crosswords on offer
Never miss a story, offer or event again. By subscribing to Gayther, you will receive the latest news, articles, upcoming events, and so much more straight to your mailbox
Discover more about sexuality, from the various identities to inspiring content and information
Discover more about the unique and diverse gender identities within the LGBTQIA+ community
Discover more about the special groups and the people and organisations supporting and helping the LGBTQIA+ community
Not sure what you are looking for? There are many ways to find what you need quickly; the search section provides links to the many search services
Impress your friends with key facts and keep updated on the latest developments and trends within the community
Discover Gayther Trinary, three unique services focused on the different aspects and requirements of the LGBTQIA+ community
Discover more on Gayther
MORE
To learn more about all things relating to Gayther, we have created links to relevant tools, services and guides
Gayther Guides - Discover
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information displayed on this page is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute advice. It is essential that before travelling that you independently establish information relating specifically to your requirements and circumstances. Though we endeavour to keep all information across the site updated, we do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of any information displayed. The languages and terms featured on this page are literal translations and have not been validated or verified. The service is provided free of charge, and by using it, you accept that you are doing so at your own risk. This page may contain external links to third party websites; Gayther provides these links for your convenience and does not endorse, warrant or recommend any particular products or services. By clicking on any external links, you will leave Gayther and be taken to the third-party website, which you do so at your own risk and by accessing the site, you will be required to comply with the external third party’s terms and conditions of use and privacy policies. If you believe any of the information contained within this page is incorrect, please report this guide using the option found on this page or by clicking here