Homophobia and Discrimination on

<strong>Homophobia</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Discrimination</strong> on Grounds of Sexual Orientation <strong>and</strong> Gender Identity in the EU Member States
104
There is evidence that LGBT asylum seekers face social isolation <strong>and</strong> lack of information
in the centres. 351 Furthermore, verbal, physical <strong>and</strong> sexual abuse is prevalent there, as
shared rooms <strong>and</strong> facilities do not allow for privacy, the lack of which contributes to
marginalisation <strong>and</strong> harassment from other applicants. LGBT asylum seekers can also
be socially marginalised, as they often have no family or social network for support.
Moreover, LGBT asylum seekers often do not, or do not want to, integrate with people
from the same country or region of origin to avoid disclosing their sexual orientation.
Furthermore, there is some evidence that gender segregation in the centres can be
particularly problematic regarding transgender persons. 352
As an example, during interview The Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) reported a Ukrainian
citizen who applied for asylum in Lithuania because he had been persecuted as a gay
man. In the asylum centre he was beaten <strong>and</strong> threatened by other asylum seekers. He
went to LGL for help <strong>and</strong> subsequently left Lithuania fearing for his safety. 353
Good practice: In Sweden, The Riksförbundet För Sexuellt Likaberättig<strong>and</strong>e (RFSL)
[Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual <strong>and</strong> Transgender Rights] is visible in asylum
centres, distributing pamphlets in various languages that describe possibilities for
counselling for LGBT persons, the asylum application procedure, sexual orientation <strong>and</strong>
gender identity in relation to asylum <strong>and</strong> LGBT rights. RFSL also provides counselling. 354
Good practice: In Sweden, asylum seekers are not forced to live in asylum centres. The
Migrationsvärket [Swedish Migration Board] can provide alternative housing. Moreover,
asylum seekers are allowed to find their own accommodation, which they must pay for
themselves, however, out of a very limited monthly payment. 355
351 K. Dolk, A.Schwanter (2007) Homosexualität und (Abschiebungs) Schutz in Deutschl<strong>and</strong>. Cologne:
Conference Paper by Amnesty International at the LSVD Association 2007 meeting
352 M.T. Drud-Jensen, S.P. Knudsen (2007) Migrationsvæsenets skab - betingelser for ikke-heteroseksuelle i
forbindelse med asyl og familiesammenføring i en nutidig dansk kontekst. University of Copenhagen:
Department of Sociology.
353 Fieldwork meeting with Lithuanian Gay League, March 13, 2008
354 See http://www.rfsl.se/?p=629 (24.10.2008)
355 See http://www.migrationsverket.se/index.jsp?news/getArticleList.do?name=faq&ldid=17&nolist=true
(24.10.2008)