# A home for LGBTQ+ immigrants and asylum seekers

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/

Empowering LGBTQ+ immigrants from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus to support each other and thrive in New York.

[Give monthly](https://givebutter.com/qaravan) [Volunteer](https://www.qaravan.org/involved/)

*Brighton Beach Pride on the Riegelmann Boardwalk, Brooklyn, May 19, 2024*

## Our theory of change

*A person loading boxes into a moving truck*

For LGBTQ+ asylum seekers fleeing persecution, arriving in New York is only the beginning of finding safety.

[Read the theory of change](https://www.qaravan.org/change/)

## What we do

[Brighton Beach Pride](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/pride/) [QARAVAN Connects](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/connects/) [Community Building Events](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/events/) [Rainbow Connections](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/rainbow/) [Health and Mental Health Support](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/health/) [Resource Navigation](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/resources/) [Pro Se Legal Assistance](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/legal/) [All programs Programs](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/)

## What people say

*Yelena Goltsman, founder and president of QARAVAN (NY1 Spectrum News)*

*Community Needs Survey respondent, 2026*

*Community Needs Survey respondent, 2026*

## What’s new

[Oct 22, 2026 QARAVAN invites Mayor Mamdani to Brighton Beach Pride On October 22, 2026, QARAVAN invited Mayor Zohran Mamdani to the next Brighton Beach Pride at his Eastern-European Cultural Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion.](https://www.qaravan.org/news/gracie-mansion-2026/)

- [A Halloween hike closes QARAVAN’s 2026 hiking season Oct 24, 2026](https://www.qaravan.org/news/hiking-season-2026/)
- [QARAVAN joins the New York City Trans and Queer Coalition September 2026](https://www.qaravan.org/news/nyc-trans-and-queer-coalition/)
- [Ezra Abdullabekov becomes Acting Executive Director Jun 16, 2026](https://www.qaravan.org/news/acting-executive-director/)
- [More than 350 people march at the 10th Brighton Beach Pride May 31, 2026](https://www.qaravan.org/news/brighton-beach-pride-10/)

[All news](https://www.qaravan.org/news/)

## Brighton Beach Pride celebrates 10 years

> “For ten years, Brighton Beach Pride has been our declaration that we belong: to this community, to this city, and to this country.” Yelena Goltsman, founder of QARAVAN

[About Brighton Beach Pride](https://www.qaravan.org/programs/pride/)

## Featured events

[Late November. Date and place to be confirmed QARAVAN Friendsgiving Sign up](https://www.qaravan.org/events/2026-11-23-friendsgiving/)

[Sat, Dec 19, 7:00 PM QARAVAN New Year's Party Stonewall Inn, West Village Sign up](https://www.qaravan.org/events/2026-12-19-new-year-party/)

## Recently at QARAVAN

[Oct 24, 2026 Queer Halloween hike to the Deserted Village](https://www.qaravan.org/events/halloween-hike-deserted-village/) [Oct 10, 2026 Halloween pumpkin carving](https://www.qaravan.org/events/halloween-pumpkin-carving/) [Oct 2, 2026 A Normal Boy: How I Was Gay in Russia, book talk](https://www.qaravan.org/events/a-normal-boy-book-talk/)

[Upcoming events](https://www.qaravan.org/events/)

## Supported by

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## 158 stories since 2012

[All press coverage](https://www.qaravan.org/press/)

## Commit to change with a monthly donation

[Give monthly](https://givebutter.com/qaravan) [Other ways to help](https://www.qaravan.org/involved/)