- Conference
- 2023 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 20 July 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that many LGBT+ asylum seekers face a considerable number of barriers which impact on their physical and mental health. This is compounded by this United Kingdom (UK) Government policies, such as the displacement of asylum seekers to Rwanda, which has now been put on hold as the Court of Appeal ruled that Rwanda had not provided enough safeguards to prove it is a “safe third country”.
Although, the Government’s plan of deportation to Rwanda is on-hold for the moment, we know that they will continue to progress their inhumane treatment of asylum seekers. They have already stated that they will appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. The continued pursuit to demonise and persecute asylum seekers has consequences for LGBT+ people, who may be forcibly displaced or returned to countries where LGBT+ rights are either non-existent or are there but in practice they face stigma and abuse. The Home Office’s own equality impact assessment on sending asylum seekers to Rwanda stated that there are ‘concerns’ over the treatment of some LGBT+ people.
We acknowledge and support the campaign by Rainbow Migration “No Pride in Detention”, which seeks to end the detention of LGBT+ people. Currently, there are unknown numbers of LGBT+ people in immigration detention in the UK. They are detained in prison-like conditions, and for an unlimited amount of time. For LGBT+ people the impact can be devastating, they are bullied and discriminated against by staff and others inside, which re-traumatises those who have fled persecution. As a result, many have no choice but to be in the closet to stay safe, making it harder for them to “prove” they are LGBT+ as part of their asylum claim.
Conference is concerned that if the Refugee Ban Bill becomes law, LGBT+ asylum seekers could be detained and be sent to countries that are dangerous for LGBT+ people, where they may not have connections or support.
The challenges for LGBT+ asylum seekers including how many LGBT+ support services are difficult to access, due to barriers such as language, and culturally sensitive services not being offered. Many LGBT+ asylum seekers face LGBT+-phobia from their own community, this can make life extremely difficult when any asylum seekers are placed in detention centres or hotel accommodation. As many of our members support asylum seekers in their work, it is important that we highlight the extra difficulties and challenges the LGBT+ asylum seekers may face.
Conferences calls on the National LGBT+ Committee to:
1)Gather and publish a list of support groups, organisations and charities that support LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers;
2. Encourage regions and branches to affiliate and support LGBT+ specific organisations supporting asylum seekers;
3. Encourage regions and branches to invite groups and organisations that support LGBT+ refugees to hear first-hand lived experiences in their communities; and
4. Work with Labour Link and others to campaign against the Refugee Ban Bill and the inhumane detention of LGBT+ asylum seekers.