Responding To A Crisis
Image © The 519 Team
June 20 was World Refugee Day, though there was little to celebrate. Canada now stands as one of the few countries in the world that welcome LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers. But even in this country we see a troubling rise in anti-refugee rhetoric and changes in immigration policies that are creating additional barriers for queer and trans people seeking safety.
In many parts of the world, ordinary people are subject to human rights abuses and extreme violence because of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), particularly when these do not conform to dominant social and cultural norms. In 65 countries and territories, being non-heterosexual is a crime; and seven countries still reserve the death penalty for being different.
Despite these horrors, in most of the liberal democracies borders are closing and doors are shutting for refugees, but especially for non-white people and members of sexual minorities. Canada too is part of this trend. According to the Canadian Council for Refugees, more than 90,000 refugees are currently waiting for protection and a permanent home in Canada through a private sponsorship application, including many who are LGBTQI+. The government's decision to let in only 16,000, half of last year’s target, means wait times of up to six years before resettlement. As they wait, often in dangerous and squalid conditions, queer and trans refugees suffer serious physical and health consequences.
Organizations like ROAR and others around Canada hope to draw more attention to the challenges facing LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers while calling on the federal government to strengthen protections for this community.
This is happening while the world is in the midst of a massive and growing displacement crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that there are 41.6 million refugees worldwide. Of these, nearly 2 million may be LGBTQI+ people.
Severe persecution and discrimination by both the state and society, especially in Asia and Africa, force LGBTQI+ persons to flee from their homes in search of safety. But the brutal reality is that there are few safer countries to escape to.
As organized homophobic and anti-trans movements gain traction and immigration policies tighten around the world, resettlement to Canada is frequently the only viable durable solution for refugees. Advocates worry that safe pathways for those fleeing persecution are becoming increasingly limited.
Sadly, many queer and trans people don't always think about issues like the world refugee crisis. Public visibility on this issue matters, and that is why organizations like ROAR are calling on Canada to support LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers.
Launched on June 19, a national Defend Refugees campaign aims to draw attention to the challenges facing LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers while calling on the federal government to strengthen protection.
Refugees are human beings, trans and queer refugees are human beings and deserve the right to live their lives in safety and dignity. With your support, ROAR continues to make this a reality.