ABOUT US
LGBT World Beside is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization officially registered in the Netherlands in 2018. Our work began by helping LGBTQ+ individuals who fled Chechnya starting in 2017 to escape torture and persecution due to their sexual orientation. Today, we support all LGBTQ+ individuals from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia seeking refugee status or asylum in the Netherlands.
We hold the status of a public benefit organization (ANBI) in the Netherlands.
OUR FOUNDERS
Harlem van Hayzer
Founder
Harlem founded LGBT World Beside in 2017 after experiencing forced migration, seeking asylum in the Netherlands, and the challenges of adapting to a new country. This experience inspired him to provide systematic assistance to LGBTQ+ individuals forced to leave their countries and seek protection in the Netherlands and other European countries.
Mel Alexander Daluzyan
Board Member
Mel is a prominent and inspiring figure in the Armenian LGBTQ+ community. He arrived in the Netherlands as a refugee after facing discrimination, threats, and persecution due to his gender identity and public advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in Armenia. Like many others, he encountered numerous difficulties in the asylum process, which motivated him to join the organization’s efforts.
Mel is a two-time European Champion in Weightlifting and has also won silver and bronze medals at the European and World Weightlifting Championships.
Daniel Phifer
Secretary
Daniel joined LGBT World Beside in 2020. Through friendships with LGBTQ+ refugees in the Netherlands, he became aware of the many systemic challenges the community faces. This inspired him to begin his volunteer work with the organization, which he continues to this day.