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‘OUTSPOKEN’ column, September issue of ‘Out in the City’
www.outmag.co.uk ‘Border
Control?’ – The main challenges facing LGBTs seeking asylum in the
UK today. Despite the criticisms of where we are at with our
rights and dignity in the UK (the media; homophobia in schools; the
police; healthcare), we must also recognise how much safer our lives
are compared to the lives of many LGBT people elsewhere.
Homosexuality is illegal in 80 countries and in five of these the
death penalty can apply. Even more widespread is the violence,
humiliation, inequality and discrimination experienced by many
LGBT’s within their own communities and families, without any
available protection. Most LGBT’s stay in their countries: some
force themselves to conform, some get killed, some hide, and some
stand up for their rights and their dignity at great risk. Only a
tiny percentage of LGBT’s worldwide come to the UK to seek a safe
haven; UKLGIG assists hundreds of them each year with their asylum
application. And support they need, as the problems they face are
enormous. After a traumatic journey, they must face - often hostile
– Border Agency officials. They are expected to ‘come out’ and tell
them all about their private lives in a consistent manner, including
about rape, forced marriage and the loss of loved ones. Those who
require a bit more time to be able to talk about such things,
especially after a life of secrecy and shame, are likely to be
refused as they are ‘not believed’. In other cases, asylum
applicants are told that they are not at a ‘real risk’ of
persecution in their home country as long as they remain ‘discreet’.
In a recent statement on the Labourlist, Immigration Minister Phil
Woolas’ claimed that “It is not our policy to require gay men or
lesbians to be discreet about their sexuality”. However, he does
acknowledge that that “the person’s previous behaviour” is a factor
in considering whether they are at ‘real risk’. As a result, LGBT
asylum seekers are often told that if they kept quiet or secretive
about their sexuality or gender identity before, they can go back
and do so again. Moreover, the level of ‘discretion’ required in
order to avoid harm is dependent on the “social norms and religious
beliefs of their country of origin”. In many of the asylum
applicant’s home countries, a same sex relationship or not
conforming to a prescribed gender role (no matter how privately), is
often - in and of itself - considered ‘indecent’! Whilst awaiting
a decision on their application, LGBT asylum seekers are often
isolated and destitute: they face racism and prejudice in the LGBT
community and are rejected by the communities from their home
countries. Many are also put in detention facing homophobia and
bullying whilst awaiting a decision, and some are ‘removed’ back to
their home countries. Nevertheless, after long legal struggles and
much support, many LGBT asylum applicants do get acknowledged as
refugees and are allowed to stay in the UK. Let’s just try to make
the journey a little bit easier. Anisa de Jong, on behalf of
UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group
Tel: 020 7922 7812
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