The City of West Hollywood is one of the most outspoken advocates anywhere for the legal rights of LGBT people. The City is also home to a thriving community of people from regions of the former Soviet Union. 

In December 2016, the City Council of the City of West Hollywood affirmed its commitment as a Sanctuary City. West Hollywood is a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, regardless of nationality or immigration status, and the City has a commitment to promoting social justice and equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people nationwide and globally. 

The City’s Human Services Division has developed a Guide for LGBT Immigrants and Asylum Seekers to help people navigate the many resources and programs available. 

People around the world face violence, even execution, for who they are, who they love, and how they look. For more than two decades, the United States has granted asylum and refugee status based on persecution due to sexual orientation and gender identity. Asylum seekers have one year to claim asylum and if granted, they have the immediate right to live and work in the United States; but must wait an additional year to apply for permanent residency. 

The path to asylum and residency can be difficult for those who lack resources and emotional support. Because LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers flee violence from relatives and community, they resettle in the U.S. alone without critical support networks. 

With the assistance of community-based organizations, the City of West Hollywood’s Guide for LGBT Immigrants and Asylum Seekers serves as a comprehensive list of local and inclusive nonprofit service providers. 

• Download the Guide [PDF]
• Download the Guide - Arabic [PDF]
• Download the Guide - Russian Version [PDF]
• Download the Guide - Spanish Version [PDF]

For additional resources and information, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Human Services Division at (323) 848-6510 or email wehocares@weho.org