Arcigay's work with and for LGBTI migrants, and in particular with LGBTI asylum seekers, has its roots in 2008, with the project “Immigration and Homosexuality”, when Arcigay published the first guides for workers, volunteers, and for migrant people themselves (in the field of health and rights), materials updated and reprinted in 2014. Since then many local Arcigay committees have opened reception, guidance and support desks for LGBTI asylum seekers.

Through only 6 reception desks for LGBTI migrants and asylum seekers (Turin, Padua, Modena, Perugia, Naples, Palermo) Arcigay in 2015 and 2016 supported respectively 107 migrants and 100 LGBTI asylum seekers thanks to its committees with initial orientation activities, of which 70 and 63 were followed throughout the asylum application process, and 63 and 56 obtained some form of protection.

However, there are more Arcigay asylum seeker counters, even in other cities (Milan, Rome, Genoa, etc.).

Currently Arcigay, through specialized branches, guarantees support to LGBTI migrants and asylum seekers only in some Italian cities but through MIGRANET wants to support the diffusion of branches throughout the national territory.

The planned actions

The MIGRANET program is divided into several phases and aims to:

• improve and broaden the support and reception of LGBTI asylum seekers through the updating, strengthening and networking of the most active branches, also with the involvement and training of new volunteers and the opening of "filter antennas" o new branches in neighboring territories;
• Improving housing capacity of LGBTI people in local SPRAR and CAS systems;
• Improve knowledge and intercultural dialogue between LGBTI asylum seekers and the LGBTI community in a perspective of generative welfare.

1. Network expansion of support desks with local training courses in 10 other cities, including training courses for staff of the cooperatives that manage the reception of asylum seekers in the SPRAR and CAS.
   Expected budget 11,000 euros;
2. Creation of a general guide multilingual to be distributed directly to LGBTI migrants and asylum seekers on rights, duties, health and services.
   Expected budget 4,000 euros;
3. Reimbursement of out-of-pocket legal expenses for appeals against denials of refugee status to LGBTI people.
   Expected budget 15,000 euros.