Information for refugees and migrants

What is COC? 

The COC is a Dutch organization that works to improve the situation of LGBTIQ people. You can contact the COC ‘s-Hertogenbosch via info@cocnoordoostbrabant.nl. 

The COC Tilburg organizes walk-in gatherings for LGBTIQ asylum seekers. You can send an email to cocktail@coctilburgbreda.nl if you would like to participate. 

Humanitas has a buddy project called ‘Maatjes voor Mekaar’, if you are interested you can send an email to maatjesvoormekaar@gmail.com

For general information with regard to the LGBTIQ community go to https://www.coc.nl/engels.

Help at AZC

The AZC has an LGBTIQ contact person. If you have any problems, questions or need of information with regard to your sexual orientation or gender: Ask for an appointment at the desk of the AZC. They are here to help you.

Maatjes voor Mekaar (Humanitas)

Are you living in an AZC? You might be having a difficult time or things are unsure (unsafe) in your current situation. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to talk to, take a walk with or just hang out with?

If you are you looking for a way to connect to the Dutch (LGBTIQ) community, ‘Maatjes voor Mekaar’ could be interesting for you. We will help you to make that connection, with the support of a trained volunteer.

If you would like to participate or would like more information, you can send an email to: maatjesvoormekaar@gmail.com

www.humanitas.nl/s-hertogenbosch

Flyer-Maatjes voor MekaarDownloaden

Local support ‘s-Hertogenbosch / Oss

If you live in ‘s-Hertogenbosch or Oss and want local support, please feel free to send an e-mail to geertgk@cocnoordoostbrabant.nl.

Please note COC cannot offer legal, medical, mental or financial help. If needed, we refer to other organizations.

Platform Vrij!

Platform Vrij! is a new platform for LGBTQ+ people from foreign cultures, organized by COC Noordoost Brabant and Stichting Thuis in Oss. Platform Vrij aims to promote self-acceptance, gives support in meeting like-minded people and aims to create awareness of LGBTQ+ issues within different cultures.

Cocktail Eindhoven

Cocktail is a project for LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) asylum seekers and refugees, organized by COC Eindhoven. For more information see their page: COCKTAIL EINDHOVEN.

Cocktail wants to help to improve the social climate for/and the safety of, LGBTI newcomers and migrants in the Netherlands. The LGBTI community is often discriminated or threatened in large parts of the world. In some countries they are imprisoned or even sentenced to death. Sometimes fleeing is their only option. They have to leave family and friends behind for an uncertain future in a strange country. In addition, the sexual orientation of LGBTI refugees is often not accepted or tolerated by their fellow newcomers in the refugee centers, just like in their country of origin. This can lead to severe forms of violence, isolation, and feelings of anxiety, or depression.

Cocktail wants to help to reduce the isolation that LGBTI Refugees and Asylum seekers are in, and to introduce them into the Dutch society and our LGBTI community in a fun and safe way.