No Safe Refuge : Experiences of LGBT asylum seekers in detention

C. Bachmann

UK detention offers little sanctuary from homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse. LGBT detainees often denied access to medication, such as HIV drugs and anti-depressants. Staff are ill-equipped to meet the needs of LGBT people or to protect them from harassment from fellow detainees. No Safe Refuge reveals the everyday discrimination and violence that lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) asylum seekers can experience in UK detention centres. In a joint report, Stonewall, the leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, and the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG), have investigated the experiences of those who have been forced to seek asylum due to persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Researchers from both organisations conducted 22 in-depth interviews with LGBT asylum seekers who have been held in UK detention centres. They were asked about their experiences with staff, other detainees, their physical and emotional well-being in detention and access to legal and health services. Findings show that staff are ill-equipped to meet the needs of LGBT people or to protect them from harassment from fellow detainees. The LGBT asylum seekers who were interviewed say they felt forced to hide their identity, for fear of abuse. Detainees who were known to be LGBT were bullied, harassed or physically attacked by other detainees, and victims said they did not feel protected by detention staff.