Basel Abou Hamrah came to Canada in 2015 as a refugee from Syria. As a member of the LGBTQ+ newcomers’ community, he experienced the barriers many face when trying to access safe spaces, resources, and supports. In response, he co-founded the LGBTQ+ Newcomers Group in 2017, offering a welcoming community for newcomers to build connections and support systems. That same year, he helped launch Rainbow Refuge—the first program of its kind in Alberta dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ newcomers with immigration and settlement services.

With both personal and professional expertise, Basel has played a key role in shaping specialized supports for marginalized communities in Edmonton, particularly at the intersections of immigration, sexuality, and health. He has served as a board member of the EMHC and is currently co-chair of the Inland Protection Working Group with the Canadian Council for Refugees.

His leadership and advocacy have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Stonewall Newcomers and Refugees Award (2021 & 2025), the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and recognition in EDify’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.

Through his work, Basel continues to advocate for inclusive systems that prioritize the mental health, sexual health, and overall well-being of marginalized communities. In the YSMENA project, he brings his experience to understanding and addressing the barriers that MENA youth face in accessing equitable health care.

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