Conference explores the problems faced by gay asylum seekers
The support available to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers and refugees is the subject of a conference being held at the University of Greenwich.
The two-day conference will be launched at the House of Lords on Monday, July 5 by Baroness Joyce Gould and takes place on Tuesday, July 6 and Wednesday, July 7 inclusive at the University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich SE10 9LS.
In some countries, LGBTI people are often persecuted, tortured and murdered because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, since it is different from the norm. The conference examines why they leave their countries and the treatment they receive once reaching the UK.
The event builds on a recent research study, Over Not Out - The Housing and Homelessness Issues Specific to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Asylum Seekers by Michael Bell and Cole Hansen at Michael Bell Associates.
The research revealed that support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex asylum seekers is poor. It also found that homophobic attitudes are causing homelessness and ill health, and that hate crimes against LGBTI asylum seekers are not being reported.
The aim of the conference is to provide a base where knowledge and experience can be shared among academics, legal practitioners, activists and voluntary and private sector organisations. The shared knowledge will be used to make a lasting impact and difference in the areas of social policy and international human rights.
The “double jeopardy” faced by LGBTI asylum seekers will be examined in themed workshops on the “first jeopardy” of fleeing persecution and the “second jeopardy” of meeting the needs of LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers. The former will explore why people seek refugee status based on their sexual orientation or gender, and what the legal and political responses are to those claims.
A range of political and philosophical questions will be asked including: what does it mean to be a "citizen" in the context of asylum seeking? And what does it mean to have to "prove" your sexuality or gender to professionals and experts as well as a hostile legal system?
Dr Anne Cormack, Politics Programme Leader, Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Greenwich, says: “The report highlighted that issues relating to LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees are under researched. For that reason we decided to hold a conference to bring interested individuals and organisations together. The university is an ideal place to hold such an event because of its unique history and diversity, with students and staff from over 100 different countries. During the planning of the conference we have created many links with LGBTI organisations within Europe and beyond, and have opportunities to pursue affiliations with local organisations in Greenwich.”
Refugee Support and Metropolitan Support Trust commissioned Michael Bell Associates to undertake the ground breaking research, into the housing and homelessness issues specific to LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees.
For further information on the conference and to book a place, call 020 8331 8800 or visit: http://www.lgbtiasr-doublejeopardy.org/Conference/ABOUT.html
E-mail: lgbtiasr.conference@greenwich.ac.uk
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Lee Armitt
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
020 8331 9420
Notes to editors
Picture: Ann Cormack, Politics Programme Leader, Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Greenwich (far left) with the partners for the conference.
A full copy of the report is available to download at: http://www.refugeesupport.org.uk/documents/MST_LGBTreport_screen_0509.pdf
The conference has been organised in collaboration with the Metropolitan Support Trust, UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group, Michael Bell Associates Research & Consultancy, Metro Centre and Stonewall Housing.