Abstract
LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex) individuals living in countries that are oppressive are in the middle of a war zone. The war zone meaning that their lives are in danger if anyone discovered that they were LGBT. In the 2019 there are currently many countries where being LGBT can cost a person their life. The United States Department of State has listed on their at-risk website LGBTI persons. Indeed, LGBTI persons may be targeted and harassed in their home country due to sexual orientation, perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression. Therefore, fleeing to another country is their only option for living. However, the narrative about refugees and asylum seekers often does not include LGBTI persons. Since this is the case, public officials nor NGO organizations know how to assist these persons. There is no doubt that many LGBTI persons seeking asylum status slip under the radar in their new country. They have little money, may not speak the language, and have little prospects for work. In many cases LGBTI persons must result to sex work and living on the streets. Therefore, their lives are almost the same horror as in the country they fled. This paper focuses on LGBTI asylum seekers and what types of services are available to them in their new country and how they actually fare. The paper ends with recommendations for how LGBTI asylum seekers can recover from trauma and become a full fledged productive and proud citizens.
Presenters
Richard Greggory Johnson IIIDepartment Chair and Professor, Public & Nonprofit Administration, University of San Francisco, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
LGBTI, Asylum, Oppression, War
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