Look after yourself If you are taking on a supportive role with asylum seekers and refugees, it can be distressing to hear their histories. This is also true for LGBT asylum seekers and refugees. It is important to protect yourself, by for example being aware of your feelings, maintaining
This booklet is here to help guide service providers in supporting LGBT asylum seekers and refugees. BeLonG To has other publications that you may find useful, including a booklet on LGBT mental health. You are welcome to contact BeLonG To for further information, www.belongto.org
boundaries, debriefing with a supervisor (while otherwise keeping confidentiality) , and making referrals to relevant services, such as BeLonG To and services that specialise in mental health.
This booklet was produced in consultation with asylum seeker and refugee youth accessing support from BeLonG To Youth Services.
How To Support LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees AN ROINN DLÍ AGUS CIRT AGUS COMHIONANNAIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND EQUALITY
government supporting communities
Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte Health Service Executive Health Promotion Office - Dublin North East
A Guide for Service Providers This project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Refugee Fund and is supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality, Pobal and the HSE.
BeLonG To. LGBT Asylum Seekers & Refugee Project
Welcoming LGBT People
Build your own knowledge
Advocate
Support
Many asylum seekers and refugees are unsure of how open Ireland
If you are unsure about aspects of the asylum process or LGBT
Providing support to LGBT asylum seekers and refugees can be very
Many LGBT asylum seekers and refugees may need to talk to
is towards LGBT people and as such may not tell others about their
community then it is important to learn more! Linking in and
rewarding, as can advocating on their behalf. The more support that
someone who can empathise with them. Since they can face serious
sexual orientation or gender identity. Your organisation can provide
developing relationships with other organisations is a quick way to
you are able to give the better the outcome can be for the people you
isolation, just being listened to, and offered ways of linking with the
a welcoming safe atmosphere by finding ways to give positive
bring yourself up to speed with developments in these areas. There
are working with.
community is valuable. The same techniques that you would use
messages to LGBT people. This will also help to limit the possibility
are a number of ways to do this:
of homophobic language being used in your service, and may create opportunities to explain your organisation's commitment to
· BeLonG To's website has a specific section on LGBT asylum seekers
inclusion and equality for LGBT people. Likewise, LGBT
and refugees, and also lots of useful information on coming out,
organisations should also demonstrate their commitment to
sexual health, LGBT services and other resources. See:
diversity, inclusion and equality for ethnic minorities. For example, as a staff member or volunteer, you could: · Show your support for LGBT people and diversity in general conversations. · Display LGBT posters and leaflets in prominent areas. · If your organisation is developing new materials, you could make them inclusive of all potential clients. You could consult with BeLonG To about LGBT issues. · Develop and publicise policies about your inclusion of LGBT people and ethnic minorities to staff, volunteers and service users so all are aware of your organisation's commitments. · Develop and implement policies to prevent and intervene in the case of homophobic or racist language or incidents.
www.belongto.org · Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) has a wealth of knowledge on issues relating to the trans community. Their website is www.teni.ie · The Irish Refugee Council has a number of services for asylum seekers and refugees. It is Ireland's only national NGO that
with other service users can be very helpful, such as active listening On occasion it may be necessary to contact other services that your
and validating feelings. Some LGBT asylum seekers and refugees
client is working with. It's important to explain your reasons for
may not wish to discuss their sexual orientation or gender identity;
doing this to the service user and seek their permission to go ahead. LGBT asylum seekers often face difficulties in direct provision, and may have serious concerns about their safety, especially if they are sharing a room. This can be compounded if they are located far from LGBT services. You could assist them in finding a solution, perhaps by supporting them to speak to the centre manager or by advocating on their behalf (with their permission).
specialises in working with and for asylum seekers and refugees. See: www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie · UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) provides guidance on law and
LGBT asylum seekers may ask for support in relation to their case. This can include helping them to find information online about the
policy related to asylum seekers and refugees to the Irish
situation in their home country, sharing information with their
government, legal practitioners, NGOs, etc. This includes training
legal representative or referring them to a legal representative or to
and published guidelines on asylum cases based on sexual
BeLonG To.
orientation and gender identity. Their Irish office on occasion
it's important to respect this choice. Also: · The process of applying for asylum is difficult and the onus is on the individual to provide proof that they fall under the protection of refugee status. This might even include proving they are LGBT. If someone accesses your service and identifies as LGBT, it's important to respect this. · As the asylum process can be long, be prepared to offer support on a medium -long term basis where possible. More support may be needed prior to and after interviews, appeals etc. · Encourage their involvement in the LGBT community, classes, volunteering and other activities that can provide relief from waiting for a decision to be made on their application, and may help them feel more integrated and less isolated. · For LGBT asylum seekers, the use of interpreters can be difficult,
handles individual cases where assistance is needed.
for example fears that their confidentiality will not be
www.unhcr.ie
maintained, and incorrect or disrespectful translation of terms related to LGBT identity. Some LGBT asylum seekers may not want a member of their home community to be their interpreter. See further guidelines from the HSE on this.