SANCTUARY, SAFETY and SOLIDARITY

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Scotland

Research Aims
explore legal and policy framework review UK and international literature identify level and type of needs find out how well services in Scotland are responding to needs identify priority areas of concern develop an ethical research protocol for future research work with individual LGBT asylum seekers & refugees.

Methodology
Literature review Community consultation event Stakeholder interviews (11 Scotland, 6 London) Workshops & training Community champions Informal advice & support

LGBT Asylum in Scotland

Glasgow hosts one of the largest asylum and refugee populations outside of London. The voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender asylum seekers and refugees have until now rarely been heard.

LGBT Asylum in Scotland

lack of data varied nationalities isolation no peer support invisibility It is still very much a hidden issue and not as visible an issue as I would like it to be. LGBT asylum seekers are very much a vulnerable group within an already vulnerable group. Stakeholder interview, Scotland
(Chapter 2)

Sanctuary: Literature Review

(Chapter 4)

explores multiple barriers and challenges in seeking sanctuary many similarities between the UK and other jurisdictions e.g. quality & availability of country of origin information reliance on safe internal relocation evidence UK asylum process more restrictive in its approach to LGB asylum cases than some other jurisdictions, e.g. credibility despite some recent progress by the UKBA, major concerns remain undiminished.

Sanctuary : literature review

lack of sensitivity to the difficulties that people face in being open about their sexual orientation or gender identity at the outset of asylum claim (credibility) when making decisions on gay and lesbian asylum cases there is a tendency to assess the evidence using western benchmarks as to what constitutes normal or typical gay behaviour insufficient attention being given to how interpreters may act as a barrier for LGBT asylum seekers in being open a lack of literature that examines the particular experiences of transgender asylum seekers

Sanctuary: findings from interviews

(Chapter 5)

Three key concerns quality of decision making detention and fasttrack access to legal advice

Future priorities include: whats happening at Dungavel? clearer routes into specialist advice impact of cuts

Sanctuary : conclusion
I feel angry at the failings of the Home Office and the inhumanity of the asylum process. Stakeholder interview, Scotland
We conclude that step changes in themselves will not bring about an asylum system that will guarantee the safety, security and well-being of LGBT asylum seekers. Put simply: the distance still needed to travel is so far, that small steps in themselves will take too long and prove too painful a journey.

Exploring Identities
(Chapter 6)

Many problems stem from how societies construct what is normal or accepted behaviour, particularly as it relates to gender. LGBT asylum seekers may be persecuted because of their difference or failure to conform to expected norms, as well as for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Exploring Identities
To avoid social ostracism, violence and sometimes execution, LGBT individuals are often forced into socially-acceptable gender identities and heterosexual relationships by their families and communities. (ORAM, 2009) social norms based on gender that subordinate women economically and politically, control the sexuality and reproductive freedom of women, and, generally do not give women full and free access to exercise their fundamental rights. In terms of their sexuality, lesbians are viewed as resisting heterosexual Imperatives prescribed by all patriarchal societies. (LaViolette 2007)

Ignorant and prejudiced views about bisexuality can affect outcomes of cases.

Exploring identities
Transgender people experience a high degree of discrimination, intolerance and outright violence. Their basic human rights are violated, including the right to life, the right to physical integrity and the right to health. (Hammarberg 2009) Young LGBT asylum seekers Little is known or has been written about the particular experiences of young LGBT people who are asylum seekers or refugees.

Safety & Solidarity

(Chapter 7) complexity of need access to services community support housing poverty and exploitation mental health training and building links campaigning and awareness raising

Safety & Solidarity

a lack of support from within peoples own community exacerbated LGBT asylum seekers social isolation and adversely impacted on their mental well-being concerns about the lack of work being done to promote the mental wellbeing of LGBT asylum seekers and refugees real problems around housing, poverty, destitution and the risk of sexual exploitation

Despite these problems, there remains a relative lack of campaigning or awareness raising activity within Scotland

SANCTUARY
We wish to see a radically different asylum process for LGBT asylum seekers, one which is fair, informed and without prejudice places respect for human rights at the cornerstone of all its decision making allows sufficient time for LGBT asylum seekers to safely tell their stories ensures sufficient access to specialist legal advice and representation throughout celebrates the importance of offering protection to those fleeing persecution does not routinely rely on the use of detention and fasttrack decision making

SAFETY
We wish to see a reduction in the social isolation and mental health suffering experienced by LGBT asylum seekers/refugees, including by restoring the right to work for asylum seekers having an asylum support system in which no one is left in poverty, all have a sufficient income to lead a dignified life access to suitable housing throughout whole asylum process provision of safe spaces for LGBT asylum seekers to access support within community settings services to be sensitive to the individual needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender asylum seekers/refugees, including young LGBT asylum seekers/refugees giving voice to LGBT asylum seekers/refugees to have their stories heard and influence service development

SOLIDARITY
To forge new and innovative partnerships to bring about lasting change, including by enhancing links between LGBT organisations, refugee community groups, lawyers, academics and activists developing a network of organisations: co-ordinating hub, source of expert help and catalyst for change celebrating diversity and creating unity through the arts and cultural activity developing a range of information and educational tools that improve awareness of the human rights abuses suffered by LGBT people creating pathways for joint work between LGBT, human rights organisations and international NGOs working in countries where LGBT people face persecution

CONCLUSION
For LGBT asylum seekers in Scotland there continue to be great challenges in just surviving. We are determined to find ways to change this and to allow people who are currently suffering greatly, to flourish