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Update on our efforts to save lives with Rainbow Railroad

Clint Henderson
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Clint Henderson is the managing editor for news at TPG. He worked in TV news for 20 years, including stints at ABC, MSNBC and Fox, before landing his dream job. Send tips to Clint.Henderson@thepointsguy.com.
Sept. 28, 2021
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3 min read
Screen Shot 2021-06-25 at 6.10.26 AM
Update on our efforts to save lives with Rainbow Railroad
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Editor’s note: This post was updated to reflect that TPG and Lonely Planet completed a match and are donating $200,000 to Rainbow Railroad.

As you may know, we launched a major fundraiser during Pride Month for Rainbow Railroad. We are very excited to share that our $100,000 match was met! Rainbow Railroad will be receiving $200,000 on behalf of The Points Guy and the TPG community — truly incredible.

Here's one story of a rescue.

Amin was just 17 and living in Chechnya when armed kidnappers broke into the beauty shop where he was working. Soldiers put a bag over his head, and he was thrown in the trunk of a car. He ended up being held for weeks along with other men — beaten and tortured, and thinking of suicide. When he was finally released, he’d lost everything. What was his supposed crime? Being gay.

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Amin was eventually rescued by an organization close to our hearts at The Points Guy — Rainbow Railroad. Rainbow Railroad rescues LGBTQIA+ individuals, and they saved Amin. He is now living as a free, out man in Canada.

It’s just one of the many stories that inspired TPG to get involved in this vital organization.

As mentioned, Brian Kelly and The Points Guy team matched donations of $100,000 to Rainbow Railroad.

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The Points Guy and the TPG community have now raised over $720,000 and 2 million miles for Rainbow Railroad, resulting in the direct support of saving over 80 LGBTQIA+ identified individuals from around the world.

It's not too late to donate. Go to this link to help: donate.rainbowrailroad.org/thepointsguy.

It’s one of the most concrete ways you can celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

(Screenshot courtesy Rainbow Railroad)

Rainbow Railroad helps gay, lesbian and trans people escape attacks, kidnappings or even murder in places like Chechnya and Uganda. According to the organization, they help rescue people facing “persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.”

Related: Help Rainbow Railroad rescue refugees worldwide

(Screenshot by The Points Guy)

Related: Donate directly to Rainbow Railroad’s rescue efforts

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Featured image by (Screenshot courtesy Rainbow Railroad)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.