Le Refuge / Het OpvanghuisSAFE HAVEN

A number of LGBTQIA+ young people face rejection from their families, and without support, they often end up vulnerable, isolated, and in the worst cases homeless. Across Europe, nearly 1/4 of LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced homelessness¹. Young people are especially at risk – 5 times more likely to lose their homes, and 15 times more likely to remain homeless long-term². For some, seeking asylum becomes their only path to safety and a new beginning.

That’s where Le Refuge/Het Opvanghuis Brussels steps in. This non-profit provides shelter and support for LGBTQIA+ youth in Belgium who have had to leave their home. 88% of those who arrive have no income and no one to turn to³. True to its name, it offers not only a safe space to stay but also vital services to help young people build back their confidence and identity, helping them to create a tangible plan to reconstruct their lives.

Each year, our Brussels studio commits to a pro-bono project that resonates deeply with us – whether through shared values or local impact. This year, we were proud to support Le Refuge/Het Opvanghuis, a longtime friend and an organization close to our hearts. As part of this initiative, BaseBRU reached out to help clarify their vision.

How do you create a brand identity that feels both queer-forward and institutionally credible – without falling into generic tropes? How do you balance joy and pride with the seriousness of an organization providing life-changing support?

Le Refuge needed a voice that was universal and inclusive, inspired by queer culture but never appropriative. It had to uplift their community while signaling expertise to donors and institutions. And it had to balance accessibility for those it serves with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. The task was clear: define their mission, strengthen their visibility, and create a brand that both supports and sustains their future. And beyond shaping perception, the brand had to be practical – a system that their team could easily apply in real-life situations, even with limited resources.

Inclusivity shaped our approach, from clarifying Le Refuge’s mission to crafting a visual and verbal identity that strikes the right balance – welcoming, structured, knowledgeable and deeply representative. Given that French is a gendered language (with the non-profit communicating in French, Dutch, and English), typography played a key role in conveying representation. With this in mind, we incorporated the Amiamie font, designed by the Bye Bye Binary type foundry – a collective dedicated to creating typefaces with inclusive glyphs.

For the visual language, we took inspiration from classic Pride colors but reimagined them in a softer, more dynamic way. The aim was to capture the nonprofit’s warmth and openness – subtly honoring its presence as a shelter without leaning on clichés. Beyond design, we helped shape Le Refuge’s messaging, to increase visibility and drive donor engagement. Our work spanned brand strategy, positioning, identity, campaign development, and a communication plan – all designed to cement their foundations and amplify their visibility.

If you're interested in supporting Le Refuge, you can volunteer or make a donation here.

¹ Eurostat (2018). ‘Material Deprivation, Well-being and Housing Difficulties.’
² Le Refuge/Het Opvanghuis (2024). ‘Panorama 2024 de l’Observatoire des Vulnérabilités Queers.’ 
³ Le Refuge/Het Opvanghuis (2025). Internal figures from social worker records.