By Leigh Andrew Hill, 2 March 2026
Julian is originally from Syria, and fled from Iraq to Australia in April 2025 with support from the United Nations and Rainbow Refugees.
We spoke to Julian about his journey to Perth, how Rainbow Refugees supported him to build strong foundations and what it means to connect with the LGBTIQA+ community.
“When I travelled from Syria to Iraq in 2021, I was living a reserved life as a homosexual person, and searching for a really good future to build.
“It was really a nightmare like Syria. It’s just not safe for our community at all. So I applied for the United Nations in Iraq, seeking the relief to be protected.”
Julian says that his social media presence as a gay man and an artist made him a target, at times receiving threats on his life.
After receiving advice from the United Nations to head to Australia, Julian started the process to make his way to Perth. After just 10 months, Julian says he has found a warm, welcoming home.
After connecting with local LGBTIQA+ refugee and migrant support group Rainbow Refugees, Julian says he was fully supported to establish his new life here.
“They made me feel like I was already home before I came to Australia, because we’d been speaking for about two months before travelling here.
“I feel really safe, I feel really lovely and loved, and that makes it easier for me to actually set up here really well – have a job, focus on myself and have no fear.”
Read the full article HERE.