Constructing the Personal Narratives of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Asylum Claimants

Abstract

This article draws upon psychological and sociological literature to explore the issues that arise in eliciting and presenting a refugee narrative when the claim is based upon sexual orientation. Rigid notions of homosexual identity may consciously or subconsciously shape decision-makers' approaches in this field. First, we identify psycho-social issues of particular significance to lesbian, gay and bisexual claimants which may act as barriers to eliciting their narrative of self-identity, including: a reluctance to reveal group membership as the basis of a claim, the experience of passing or concealment strategies, the impact of shame and depression on memory, common experience of sexual assault, and sexualisation of the identity narrative in the legal process. Secondly, we explore factors which inhibit the reception of such narratives in the legal process. In particular we explore the psychological 'stage model' of sexual identity development and examine the pervasive impact this model has had upon decisionmakers' 'pre-understanding' of sexual identity development as a uniform and linear trajectory.

The (not so) straight story: Queering migration narratives of sexual orientation and gendered identity refugee claimants

“…However, in most Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board and socio-legal discourses, 'sexual minorities' tend to be identified or described as homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, such that individuals who make a claim based on persecution as a member of this 'particular social group' do so through the utilization of LGBT terminology (LaViolette, 2009: 440-441). 13 As numerous scholars of transnational sexualities have pointed out, these are terms located in and produced through particular social, cultural and political histories, yet these are also terms that have transnational mobility, although this does not necessarily equate to identical definitions and meanings in local contexts (Berg and Millbank, 2009;Lewin andLeap, 2002, 2009;Manalansan, 2006;Miller, 2005;Murray, 2009;Ou Jin Lee and Brotman, 2011).…”

Facilitating Mental Health Support for LGBT Forced Migrants: A Qualitative Inquiry

“…and from their diaspora communities (Alessi, 2016;Kahn, 2015b;Lee & Brotman, 2011). Furthermore, the mandate to prove that one has experienced persecution based on sexual or gender identity can contribute to additional stress (Alessi, 2016;Berg & Millbank, 2009;Heller, 2009).…”

Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights: Strategic Alliances to Advance Knowledge and Social Change

“…Academic and community-based researchers have identified gaps in knowledge about the specific health consequences of settlement for LGBT refugees and immigrants (Cooney, 2007; Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, 2010] LGBT asylum seekers do so under conditions of considerable distress: 45% of lesbians and 24% of gay men report having been exposed to physical and/or sexual violence and assault as part of their claims in Canada (Berg & Millbank, 2009). Research indicates that infringement on human rights can continue in less explicit forms as part of the refugee claim process and settlement, which can be re-traumatizing .…”