For Pride Month, Refugee Action collaborated with Micro Rainbow and Rainbow Migration to highlight the voices of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees.   

Identifying as LGBTQ+ is criminalised in over 70 countries. In some countries just being yourself is punishable by death. People are subjected to violence and discrimination for simply being who they are from their own communities, families or government, leaving them at risk of abuse and discrimination. They seek safety in the UK believing that here they’ll live freely, be safe and protected.  

The UK presents itself as having a proud reputation for LGBTQ+ rights. The inspiring struggles of movements and communities have secured laws protecting LGBTQ+ people and the legalisation of same-sex marriage. It’s no wonder that LGBTQ+ people would seek sanctuary here. That they would believe that this is a country where they might be free to be themselves and love who they want. Sadly, that’s not the case.  

Once admitted into the UK asylum system, LGTBQ+ people often face further violence and discrimination. They’re frequently not believed, enforced to provide evidence that is hard to gather, placed in unsuitable accommodation, and forced to wait months and years for a decision on their asylum claims. As a result, they’re disproportionately impacted by policies that harm their mental and physical health. 

LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum are often called on to prove their sexual orientation or gender identity as part of their asylum application which can be extremely distressing and challenging. In many cases they were forced to hide their sexuality in their home countries to avoid discrimination and violence. This makes it extra challenging for them to provide evidence that the Home Office requires. 

Zarith, Tony and Michael all experienced this first hand. Here, they share their stories of ‘proving’ their sexuality to the Home Office.

Zarith’s story

Zarith’s story

Michael’s story

Michael’s story

Tony’s story

Tony’s story

LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum in the UK are placed in unsuitable accommodation where they face abuse and violence. In extreme cases, they’re detained in immigration centres where they’re isolated and put at risk of extreme harm and abuse. 

The Illegal Migration Bill (which we’re calling the Refugee Ban Bill) currently being debated in parliament will make the situation much, much worse. Many LGBTQ+ people will no longer be able to seek asylum in the UK. Instead, they’ll be locked up indefinitely and deported to countries where it is not safe to be open about their sexuality or gender identity. The Home Secretary has shamefully refused to acknowledge the risks that people will face if they are deported to unsafe countries.   

We asked Zarith, Michael and Tony what they would like to say to the Home Secretary and what they think about the Refugee Ban Bill: 

The hard-won victories for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK are something we should take PRIDE in. People seek sanctuary here believing that they will be free to be themselves and love who they want. We need an asylum system that is welcoming and compassionate. A system that will give LGBTQ+ people a fair hearing. A system that will believe them and not burden them with proving their sexuality or gender identity.