Home as a place of fear

New research about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender asylum seekers

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) asylum seekers are encountering high levels of homelessness, discrimination and exploitation due to their sexuality or gender identity. This a key finding of research released by Refugee Support, the refugee services arm of Metropolitan Support Trust (MST). The ‘Over Not Out’ report, launched on Tuesday 12 May 2009 at the House of Lords in Westminster, examines the housing and homelessness problems faced by LGBT asylum seekers in London.  

Baroness Gould, who hosted the event, said: "This report must be used to open doors for this group; we need to use it to influence policy, make a change."

Arash, a gay Iranian man in his thirties spoke of his experiences saying: "I’ve been spat on and called all sorts of things. I’ve lived in places where I’ve stayed in my room eating out of tins just to avoid people; it’s been horrible living like that."

He continues: "I’ve had to listen to people say that gay people should be executed. I was so afraid of letting people know about my sexuality so I had to leave that accommodation."

Invited guests the Home Office, UK Border Agency, The National Housing Federation and the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group were urged to consider the reports findings and recommendations.

The report highlights three key findings of the research which are:

1. Support services for LGBT asylum seekers are poor

2. Homophobic and transphobic attitudes are causing homelessness and ill-health

3. Hate crimes against LGBT asylum seekers are not being reported

1. LGBT asylum seekers are often unable to rely on traditional forms of support like family, friends and ethnic and national support networks. They instead turn to casual acquaintances or LGBT support networks, but many of these networks are not particularly diverse or welcoming. Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) were not often used by LGBT asylum seekers.

2. The findings suggest that LGBT asylum seekers, many of who live in shared housing, either in UK Borders Agency (UKBA) accommodation or in the private sector, are at risk of harassment and discrimination within their own homes.  As a result they often leave the accommodation and render themselves homeless, and survive by ‘sofa surfing’ or trading sexual favours for accommodation, or experience mental ill-health. 60 per cent of LGBT asylum seekers surveyed were experiencing ‘hidden homelessness’.

3. LGBT asylum seekers are afraid of negatively impacting on their asylum claim or may not identify their experiences as homophobic abuse or hate crime because the violence they are fleeing. This is coupled with a gap in training for UKBA staff in how to respond to the specific needs of LGBT asylum seekers.

The report makes over 30 recommendations, including that:

• LGBT voluntary and community organisations need training and funding so they can meet the specific needs of asylum seekers.  Public and charitable funders should provide more support and challenge Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) about the accessibility of their organisations to LGBT people.

• UKBA should review and refine the guidance and contractual requirements it imposes on its landlords to ensure that LGBT asylum seekers are safe and free from harassment.

• Third party reporting centres for hate-crime should develop awareness and support programmes for LGBT asylum seekers to ensure that they are aware of their rights to safety and the recourse they have.

 

Paul Birtill, MST Director of Investment and Development, says of the report: "LGBT asylum seekers are an over-looked group and little is known about them and their experiences. They can often experience added persecution and isolation due to their sexual orientation."

He added: "Our research highlights the need to create tailored services, training for staff and support for this otherwise under-represented group. We sincerely hope that this report and its recommendations increase the knowledge and understanding of the issues and barriers that LGBT asylum seekers face."

Michael Bell Associates were commissioned to undertake the research. Refugee Support partnered with Amnesty, the United Kingdom Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) and Stonewall Housing to undertake the report.

Bob Green, Chief Executive of Stonewall Housing states: "Stonewall Housing fully endorses this research from Refugee Support. The number of LGBT asylum seekers and refugees approaching Stonewall Housing for housing advice has doubled in the past year.  Over 50 percent of them were sleeping on the streets or on friends' floors and five percent were experiencing homophobic harassment or domestic abuse; there is a lack of safe accommodation available to them."

Download a copy of the report and executive summary

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