Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers and refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world. Having fled persecution in their home countries without the support of their families or local communities, they frequently confront even more social exclusion, severe discrimination, and violence in their countries of transit or asylum.
Their extreme marginalization deepens the need for informed intervention by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs — central to international refugee protection efforts — play an especially crucial role on behalf of these most vulnerable of refugees. This report seeks to help NGOs protect LGBTI refugees. Moreover, because these individuals often hide their identity for fear of mistreatment, NGOs must affirmatively create for them an atmosphere of safety, understanding, and support.
This report is based on a survey of hundreds of NGOs around the world. It is the first wide-ranging, systemic attitudinal survey of international refugee protection by NGOs on any topic. Our findings reveal both extraordinary commitment to — and in other respects, considerable room for improvement in — LGBTI refugee protection by NGOs.
Of particular concern is the dense shroud of invisibility and silence that surrounds the realities of sexual orientation and gender identity. As the results of our survey show, many NGOs are unaware of the LGBTI refugees in their midst and many others are unaware of the need for targeted policies to help these vulnerable individuals. Few have the tools to inquire about LGBTI individuals' identities and circumstances, and a significant number espouse a "blind" approach to sexual orientation and gender identity, erroneously believing that these issues are not germane to their clients’ protection. Some display deeply felt discomfort with this topic, in ways that limit their effectiveness.
Lastly, a sizable minority of NGOs that span several regions of the world hold negative views on the morality of same-sex conduct and/or the expression of transgender identity. Together, these factors produce a cycle of silence and invisibility: LGBTI refugees perceive NGOs as unwelcoming or hostile and therefore hide their identities, and NGOs in turn believe these persons do not exist.
Despite these challenges, many NGOs have resolved to protect LGBTI refugees: just over 95 percent of respondents to our survey believe that individuals persecuted on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity deserve refugee protection.
Based on our findings and analysis — and above all on the direct input of NGO participants — this report makes several key recommendations, including the following: NGOs should build their knowledge and capacity on core LGBTI issues through ongoing, context-specific sensitization trainings. Where possible, openly LGBTI-identified individuals should be included as trainers. This report also recommends the adoption of codes of conduct that will reduce discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as expanded collaboration with LGBTI groups. Perhaps most importantly, NGOs must affirmatively create welcoming environments for LGBTI individual by encouraging staff to address issues of sexual orientation and gender identity while avoiding stereotypes and assumptions.
We encourage NGOs — particularly those operating in LGBTIhostile environments — to seek the support of UNHCR, ORAM, and other organizations with expertise on LGBTI issues. Only by working together and supporting each other can we hope to win the crucial battle to extend meaningful protection to all refugees, including LGBTI individuals.
