Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Seeking Asylum: Challenges Faced by the LGB Community

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A retrospective chart review was completed of patients self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual seen through a program for survivors of torture between June 9, 2009 and December 31, 2014 (n = 50). Almost all (98 %) experienced persecution due to their sexual orientation and 84 % were survivors of torture. The circumstances under which the disclosure of sexual orientation took place in the country of origin were often traumatic. In several, efforts were made to change their sexual orientation often through forced marriage. Those in same sex relationships had relationships often marred by tragedy. Women were more likely to be forced to move from place to place, experience rape/sexual assault and threats whereas men were more likely to be persecuted by people on the street. All presented with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Providers need to be attuned to the potential traumatic histories of those fleeing persecution due to sexual orientation, and the medical, social, psychological, and legal implications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Composite case.

  2. A homosexual man from Cuba (who was known to be gay), was targeted by government officials, forced to attend regular medical appointments and endure invasive physical examinations, interrogated about his homosexual behavior, and was sent to a labor camp solely because of his sexual orientation, met the refugee definition.

  3. Case was originally unpublished, but in June 1994, former Attorney General Janet Reno designated Matter of Toboso-Alfonso as case for all proceedings involving the same issues.

References

  1. Bhugra D, Gupta S, Bhui K, Craig T, Dogra N, Ingleby JD, Kirkbride J, Moussaoui D, Nazroo J, Qureshi A, Stompe T, Tribe R. WPA guidance on mental health and mental health care in migrants. World Psychiatry. 2011;10(1):2–10.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Chavez KR. Identifying the needs of LGBTQ immigrants and refugees in Southern Arizona. J Homosex. 2011;58(2):189–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Heller P. Challenges facing LGBT asylum-seekers: the role of social work in correcting oppressive immigration processes. J Gay Lesbian Soc Serv. 2009;21(2–3):294–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lubheid E. Heteronormativity and immigration scholarship: a call for change. GLQ-J Lesbian Gay Stud. 2004;10:227–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. The Audre Lorde Project (2004). Community at a crossroads: US right wing policies and lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit and transgender immigrants of color in New York City, New York, NY. Published 2004. Retrieved from: http://alp.org/whatwedo/organizing/ir/report

  6. Office of Refugee Resettlement. Rainbow welcome initiative. Heartland Alliance: Published; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Refugee Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96-212, 94 Stat. 102 (March 17, 1980).

  8. U.N. Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951), 189 U.N.T.S. 137 and see also, 1967 United National Protocol relations to the Status of Refugees, 606 U.N.T.S. 267.

  9. UNHCR: Asylum trends, first half of 2014: Levels and trends in industrialized countries. Published 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/5423f9699.html (2014).

  10. DHS Office of Immigration Statistics. 2013 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. http://www.dhs.gov August 2014. Source: US Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Service(USCIS), Refugee, Asylum and Parole System (RAPS), U.S Department of Justice (DOJ), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

  11. Matter of T, 20 I&N Dec. 571 (BIA 1992).

  12. Immigration and Nationality Act 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(42)(A), [herein “INA”], §101 (a)(42)(A). INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca, 480 U.S. 421, 440, 448 (1987).

  13. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B), INA § 208 (a)(2)(B). For exceptions to the one-year deadline, see 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(D), INA § 208 (a)(2)(D), and 8 C.F.R. 208.4. See also Matter of T-M-H & S-W-C, 25 I&N Dec 193 (BIA 2010).8 U.S.C. § 1158(b).

  14. Div. B of Pub. L No. 109-13, Stat. 231. (2005). The REAL ID Act. (incorporated into § 8 U.S.C. 1158) and numerous published decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal circuit courts.

  15. Matter of Acosta, 19 I&N Dec. 211 (BIA 1985).

  16. Matter of C-A-, 23 I&N Dec. 951 (BIA 2006).

  17. Matter of Toboso-Alfonso, 20 I. & N. Dec. 819, 822–23 (1990).

  18. Kadri v. Mukasey, 543 F.3d 16, 21 (1st Cir. 2008) (“Sexual orientation…is that basis for inclusion in a particular social group.”); Hernandez-Montiel v. INS, 225 F.3d 1084, 1094 (9th Cir. 2000) (recognizing gay men with female sexual identities in Mexico as a particular social group); see also Reyes-Reyes v. Ashcroft, 384 F.3d 782, 785 (9th Cir. 2004). HIV-positive status may also constitute membership in a particular social group. See Jean-Pierre v. Attorney General of US, 500 F.3d 1315 (11th Cir. 2007) (finding that the BIA did not preclude HIV status as a particular social group).

  19. Department of Homeland Security: Guidance for adjudicating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) refugee and asylum claim- Training Module. Published December 27 2011. Retrieved from http://www.immigrationequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Microsoft-Word-RAIO-Trng_LGBTI_LP_Final-2011-12-27-_2_.pdf (2011).

  20. Gamarel KE, Reisner SL, Parsons JT, Golub SA. Association between socioeconomic position discrimination and psychological distress: findings from a community-based sample of gay and bisexual men in New York City. Am J Public Health. 2012;102(11):2094–101.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Krieger N, Sidney S. Prevalence and health implications of anti-gay discrimination: a study of black and white women and men in the CARDIA cohort. Int J Health Serv. 1997;27(1):157–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hilmert CJ, Dominguez TP, Schetter CD, Srinivas SK, Glynn LM, Hobel CJ, Sandman CA: Lifetime racism and blood pressure changes during pregnancy: implications for fetal growth. Health Psychol [Epub ahead of print on February 14th 2013]. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23379383 (2013).

  23. Lim FA, Brown DV, Justin Kim SM. Addressing health care disparities in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population: a review of best practices. Am J Nurs. 2014;114(6):24–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. DeHart DD. Breast health behavior among lesbians: the role of health beliefs, heterosexism, and homophobia. Women Health. 2008;48:409–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Jackson NC, Johnson MJ, Roberts R. The potential impact of discrimination fears of older gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals living in small- to moderate-sized cities on long-term health care. J Homosexual. 2008;54(3):325–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Yoshikawa H, Wilson PA, Chae DH, Cheng JF. Do family and friendship networks protect against the influence of discrimination on mental health and HIV risk among Asian and Pacific Islander gay men? AIDS Educ Prev. 2004;16(1):84–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Bianchi FT, Zea MC, Poppen PJ, Reisen CA, Echeverry JJ. Coping as a mediator of the impact of sociocultural factors on health behavior among HIV-positive Latino gay men. Psychol Health. 2004;19:89–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Berg L, Millbank J. Constructing the personal narratives of lesbian, gay and bisexual asylum claimants. J Refug Stud. 2009;22:195–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Mays VM, Cochran SD. Mental health correlates of perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(11):1869–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Archer RL. The self in social psychology. In: Wegner DM, Vallacher RR, editors. Self-disclosure. New York: Oxford University Press; 1980. p. 183–205.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Balsam KF, Mohr JJ. Adaptation to sexual orientation stigma: a comparison of bisexual and lesbian/gay adults. J Couns Psychol. 2007;4(3):306–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Haas AP, Drescher J: Impact of sexual orientation and gender identity: Implications for assessment and treatment. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved from: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/special-reports/impact-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-suicide-risk-implications-assessment-and-treatment (2014).

  33. Kessler RC, Mickelson KD, Williams DR. The prevalence, distribution, and mental health correlates of perceived discrimination in the United States. J Health Soc Behav. 1999;40(3):208–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Clark R, Anderson NB, Clark VR, Williams DR. Racism as a stressor for African Americans: a biopsychosocial model. Am Psychol. 1999;54:805–16.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Amnesty International: Amnesty International crimes of hate, conspiracy of silence–Torture and ill-treatment based on sexual identity. Amnesty International. London: Amnesty International. Published 2001. Retrieved from www.amnesty.org

  36. Jackle S, Wenzelberger G. Religion, religiosity, and the attitudes toward homosexuality—a multilevel analysis of 79 Countries. J Homosex. 2014;62:207–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Beyrer C. Pushback: the current wave of anti-homosexuality laws and impacts on health. PLoS Med. 2014;11(6):1–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Lee EO, Brotman S. Identity, refugeeness, belonging: experiences of sexual minority refugees in Canada. Can Rev Soc. 2011;48(3):241–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. King M, McKeown E, Warner J, Ramsay A, Johnson K, Cort C, Wright L, Blizard R, Davidson O. Mental health and quality of life of gay men and lesbians in England and Wales: controlled, cross-sectional study. Br J Psychiatry. 2003;183:552–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Sandfort TG, Bakker F, Schellevis FG, Vanwesenbeeck I. Sexual orientation and mental and physical health status: findings from a Dutch population survey. Am J Public Health. 2006;96(6):1119–25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Semugoma P, Beyrer C, Baral S. Assessing the effects of anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda on HIV prevention, treatment, and care services. SSAHARA-J: J Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS. 2012;9(3):173–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Beyrer C, Baral SD, van Griensven F, Goodreau SM, Chariyalertsak S, Wirtz AL. Global epidemiology of HIV infection in men who have sex with men. Lancet. 2012;380(9839):367–77.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Cochran SD, Mays VM. Relation between psychiatric syndromes and behaviorally defined sexual orientation in a sample of the US population. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;151:516–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Gilman SE, Cochran SD, Mays VM, Hughes M, Ostrow D, Kessler RC. Risk of psychiatric disorders among individuals reporting same-sex sexual partners in the National Comorbidity Survey. Am J Public Health. 2001;91:933–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Meyer IH. Why lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender public health? Am J Public Health. 2001;91(6):856–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Harper GW, Schneider M. Oppression and discrimination among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people and communities: a challenge for community psychology. Am J Commun Psychol. 2003;31(3–4):243–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Meyer IH. Minority stress and mental health in gay men. J Health Soc Behav. 1995;36(1):38–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Rosser BR, Bockting WO, Ross MW, Miner MH, Coleman E. The relationship between homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and mental health in men who have sex with men. J Homosex. 2008;55(2):185–203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Rosario M, Schrimshaw EW, Hunter J, Gwadz M. Gay-related stress and emotional distress among gay, lesbian and bisexual youths: a longitudinal examination. J Consult Clin Psych. 2002;70(4):967–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Larson DG, Chastain RL. Self-concealment: conceptualization, measurement, and health implications. J Health Soc Behav. 1990;9(4):439–55.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Schrimshaw EW, Siegel K, Downing MJ, Parsons JT. Disclosure and concealment of sexual orientation and the mental health of non-gay-identified, behaviorally bisexual men. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2013;81(1):141–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Pachankis JE, Westmaas JL, Dougherty LR. The influence of sexual orientation and masculinity on young men’s tobacco smoking. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79:142–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Frost DM, Parsons JT, Nanín JE. Stigma, concealment and symptoms of depression as explanations for sexually transmitted infections among gay men. J Health Psychol. 2007;12(4):636–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Smart L, Wegner DM. The hidden costs of hidden stigma. In: Heatherton T, Kleck R, Hebl M, Hull J, editors. The social psychology of stigma. New York: The Guilford Press; 2000. p. 220–42.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Lasser J, Tharinger D. Visibility management in school and beyond: a qualitative study of gay, lesbian, bisexual youth. J Adolesc. 2003;23:233–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Lasser J, Ryser GR, Price LR. Development of a lesbian, gay, bisexual visibility management scale. J Homosex. 2010;57(3):415–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Ragins BR. Disclosure disconnects: antecedents and consequences of disclosing invisible stigmas across life domains. Acad Manag Rev. 2008;33:194–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Troiden RR. The formation of homosexual identities. J Homosex. 1989;17(1–2):43–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Eliason MJ. Identity formation for lesbian, bisexual, and gay persons: beyond a “minoritizing” view. J Homosex. 1996;30(3):31–58.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Carnelley KB, Hepper EG, Hicks C, Turner W. Perceived parental reactions to coming out, attachment, and romantic relationship views. Attach Hum Dev. 2011;13(3):217–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. D’Augelli AR, Hershberger SL, Pilkington NW. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and their families: disclosure of sexual orientation and its consequences. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 1998;68(3):361–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Cox N, Dewaele A, Van Houtte M, Vincke J. Stress-related growth, coming out, and internalized homonegativity in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. An examination of stress-related growth within the minority stress model. J Homosex. 2011;58(1):117–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Leland J: Gays seeking asylum find familiar prejudices in US. New York Times, A10. Published August 01 2001.

  64. Crosby SS, Norredam M, Paasche-Orlow MK, Piwowarczyk L, Heeren T, Grodin M. Prevalence of torture survivors among foreign-born patients presenting to an urban ambulatory care practice. J Gen Intern Med. 2006;21(7):764–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Member centers of the NCTTP. Descriptive, inferential, functional outcome data on 9,025 torture survivors over six years in the United States by Member Centers of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs. Torture. 2015;25(2):34–60.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Gay & Lesbian Medical Association: Guidelines for care of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients (2006).

Download references

Acknowledgments

Special Acknowledgement is provided to Amy Shepherd, MPH and Jennifer Sato who helped with preparing the manuscript for submission.

Author’s contribution

Linda Piwowarczyk: Data collection, preparation of manuscript; Pedro Fernandez: Data collection, preparation of manuscript; Anita Sharma: Preparation of manuscript

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Linda Piwowarczyk & Pedro Fernandez

  2. Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, Boston Medical Center, Dowling 7, 771 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Linda Piwowarczyk & Pedro Fernandez

  3. Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project, Boston, MA, USA

    Anita Sharma

Authors
  1. Linda Piwowarczyk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pedro Fernandez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anita Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Linda Piwowarczyk.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have any conflict of interest in this research.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Piwowarczyk, L., Fernandez, P. & Sharma, A. Seeking Asylum: Challenges Faced by the LGB Community. J Immigrant Minority Health 19, 723–732 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0363-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0363-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation