More than 1,000 LGBT+ individuals seek asylum in the UK every year, making up only 2% of all asylum applications. These refugees are escaping imprisonment, public lashings, and persecution in their home countries, finding solace in Britain. However, many of them face homelessness and abuse during their journey.
Yew Fook Sam, a 72-year-old man known as Sam to his friends, can be seen walking the streets of Liverpool proudly wearing rainbow suspenders. During Pride celebrations, his attire becomes a vibrant display of colors, even more extravagant than usual. But Sam spent five long years trying to convince the Home Office that he is a gay man facing persecution in Malaysia. Unfortunately, his asylum applications were rejected ten times simply because he didn’t have a boyfriend. Sam revealed, “If you expose yourself, straight away they will arrest you and put you in prison.” The Home Office’s rejection rate for LGBT+ asylum claims had significantly increased.
In just two years, from 2015 to 2017, the proportion of rejected asylum claims from LGBT+ individuals rose from 52% to 78%, as reported by the Independent. Despite their small representation, LGBT+ asylum seekers face immense challenges. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman even accused them of pretending to be gay for “special treatment.” However, the Home Office later admitted that there was no evidence to support this claim. Locked in a detention center and facing deportation, Sam contemplated ending his life, fearing the severe consequences he would face if he returned to Malaysia.
Sam fought back by meticulously documenting his participation in Pride events across Liverpool, London, and Manchester, as well as his involvement in an LGBT+ group. Finally, in December 2019, Sam received refugee status, granting him the ability to safely live as his authentic self in the UK, surrounded by a supportive community. Overjoyed, Sam exclaimed, “I was so happy, I was shouting, screaming, crying. It was like a Christmas present for me.”
Fortunately, asylum seekers are no longer left in limbo for extended periods as they once were. The Home Office has adopted a new approach, expediting the claims of new applicants since 2022 to address the growing backlog. This change has made the process more manageable for those who arrived later. Queen, a 31-year-old asylum seeker from Nigeria, is one of those who benefitted from the streamlined system. After being harassed by the police, she decided to seek asylum in the UK without informing her family. Recounting her traumatic experience, Queen stated, “They searched my bag, the guy started cocking his gun. It was traumatising.”
Queen, a lesbian, recently attended her first Pride event in the UK after being granted asylum. She made the decision to leave Nigeria, where same-sex activity, including something as simple as a kiss, can result in up to 14 years in prison. In some northern states of Nigeria, the punishment is even more severe, with death by stoning being a possible sentence.
Queen shared her reasons for seeking asylum, stating that she had witnessed friends being targeted by straight individuals on dating apps who would then expose them to their families or the police. She did not want to risk facing such a situation herself. Additionally, Queen expressed her exhaustion with the constant bashing and harassment she experienced in Nigeria, leading her to make the difficult decision to leave.
Waleed, a 25-year-old from Saudi Arabia, also faced similar challenges. He realized that he was bisexual and an atheist, both of which are punishable by death in his home country. This realization was incredibly frightening for him. Both Queen and Waleed’s stories highlight the dangers and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in certain parts of the world.
UK General Election Campaign Highlights Channel Crossings and Asylum Seekers
In the midst of the UK General Election campaign, attention has once again turned to the issue of Channel crossings and asylum seekers. This has caused frustration among both refugees and the charities that support them. Many feel that this focus on the topic is misplaced and fails to address the real challenges faced by those seeking refuge.
One individual who knows these challenges all too well is Waleed, a marine engineering student who arrived in the UK in 2018. For years, he hid his true identity, pretending to conform to societal expectations. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the possibility of returning to Saudi Arabia arose that he decided to apply for asylum.
The decision to seek asylum was a difficult one for Waleed, but he felt a sense of safety in the UK that he hadn’t experienced before. He reflects on the acceptance he has received, particularly from the people of Liverpool, who have been incredibly supportive. In October 2023, Waleed’s refugee status was granted, less than two years after he applied. Queen, another asylum seeker, received her status in March, a year after her application.
For LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees, coming to the UK has provided an opportunity to form queer communities and openly explore their identities in ways that were not possible in their countries of origin. The relatively quick processing of their asylum claims, which takes an average of 21 months, has also allowed them to pursue work and education.
However, despite these positive developments, many face precarious housing situations that leave them vulnerable to homelessness and abuse. Waleed, for example, found himself constantly moving between hostels and hotels, with all his belongings in tow, shortly after being granted refugee status. His lack of a guarantor, dwindling savings, and difficulty finding employment made it challenging to secure stable housing.
Waleed recounts the frustrating experiences he had while searching for a landlord willing to rent to him. Many seemed uninterested or delayed his application, hoping for a more desirable tenant to come along. This left Waleed feeling disrespected and marginalized.
The stories of individuals like Waleed highlight the ongoing struggles faced by asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. While progress has been made in terms of processing times and acceptance, there is still much work to be done to ensure that these individuals can find secure housing and build fulfilling lives in their new home.
London’s annual Pride parade has played a crucial role in integrating queer refugees and asylum seekers into the wider LGBT+ community. One individual, known as Queen, experienced the challenges of finding safe housing after coming out as lesbian. She faced discrimination from her relatives and was forced to leave their home. To escape, Queen sought refuge in libraries and attended workshops organized by a charity called Micro Rainbow, which supports approximately 1,000 LGBT+ asylum seekers annually.
Recognizing the issue of homelessness among this marginalized group, Micro Rainbow opened the UK’s first safe house for LGBT+ asylum seekers in 2017. However, the demand for spaces still exceeds the available capacity, prompting the charity to plan the expansion of safe houses. Sebastian Rocca, the founder and CEO of Micro Rainbow, highlighted the fear among asylum seekers that they may face discrimination or violence if housed with individuals from their home countries who hold homophobic views. Shockingly, there have been cases of sexual assault and even arson targeting LGBT+ individuals in Home Office housing.
These challenges make it difficult for LGBT+ asylum seekers to prove their identity and secure safe housing. Additionally, the practice of arbitrary dispersal means that even when they find a safe place to live, they can be moved at any time. One lesbian asylum seeker from Malawi, where same-sex activity is punishable by up to five years in prison, experienced this firsthand. After enduring a leaky toilet and homophobic comments from housemates in Home Office accommodation, she resorted to sleeping in graveyards. Eventually, she was relocated to Liverpool, where she formed friendships and support networks. However, Serco, the private company responsible for housing asylum seekers, informed her that she would be moved to shared accommodation in Lancashire to make room for others. This news was devastating for her, as she had finally found a sense of belonging and community.
Following protests and inquiries by local refugee support groups, Acorn, and the Liverpool Echo, Serco allowed the woman to remain in Liverpool. However, these incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by LGBT+ asylum seekers in finding safe and secure housing. The work of organizations like Micro Rainbow is crucial in providing support and advocating for the rights of this vulnerable community.
Protesters have repeatedly stopped the eviction of migrants and asylum seekers from their homes in recent years. A spokesperson for Serco, the company responsible for these evictions, stated that they have a zero tolerance policy towards homophobia and hate crimes. They also mentioned that they would report any incidents to the police and UK Visas and Immigration, while providing support through their safeguarding team and external agencies. Serco actively tries to ensure that individuals are not isolated from their support networks when they are moved.
However, sudden relocations or the need to hide once again can disrupt the progress made by individuals like Sam, Queen, and Waleed towards acceptance and building a sense of community. Sebastian, a resident of the Micro Rainbow house, shared the story of a woman who had been moved multiple times. She kept her clothes and high heels locked away in her suitcase, fearing abuse if others found out about her true self. When she arrived at the Micro Rainbow house, she finally felt a sense of relief and freedom to express herself. For those who are denied the safety to explore their identities, it can feel as if they are back in their country of origin, where they faced similar challenges.
