Right To Remain ToolKit is a guide to the UK immigration and asylum system. It gives an overview of the legal system and procedures, with detailed information on rights and options at key stages, and actions you can take in support of your claim, or to help someone else.
Rainbow Migration https://www.rainbowmigration.org.uk/
Website has information on the UK asylum system and procedure. They also run monthly asylum legal meetings in London where volunteer solicitors give general advice about the asylum process and where you can meet other LGBT asylum seekers as well as speak to our members of staff in person. Alternatively, you can call their helpline on 020 7922 7811 – Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
African Rainbow Family (ARF) https://africanrainbowfamily.org/ is a non-for-profit organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender intersexual and queer (LGBTIQ) people of African heritage.
Persian LGBT Advisory Services (Birmingham but offer support UK wide)
http://www.persianlgbt.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/PLGBTA
Persian LGBT Advisory Services is an Asylum and Refugee support group organisation which provides support and assistance to Persian speakers such as Afghan,Tajikistan and Iranian Asylum seekers here in the UK.
MANCHESTER:
First Wednesday http://firstwednesday.lgbt/what-we-can-can-t-do
Meetings of the First Wednesday group take place at the LGBT Foundation from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month. Offer friendship, support and encouragement, and guidance on where you can receive further support.
LEEDS:
No Going Back http://nogoingback.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Going-Back/265474863563532?fref=nf aims to ensure liberty, equality and justice for LGBT asylum seekers in the UK. We are here to provide legal representation to LGBT asylum seekers in the UK, who have fled their country because of their sexual orientation.
Reach Out http://www.reachoutleeds.org/
ReachOUT meets every first and third Tuesday of the month in central Leeds. The purpose of the group is to create a safe space for LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers to come and make friends, develop a sense of community and boost confidence by learning new skills through capacity building activities.
SHEFFIELD:
Lesbian Asylum Support Sheffield (LASS) https://www.facebook.com/LASSheffield/ Supporting and empowering LBTQ+ and non-binary asylum seekers and refugees in Sheffield and across South Yorkshire. Meets first Thursday of the month from 6 – 8pm at Together Women Project.
NEWCASTLE:
Rainbow Home – LGBT Asylum Seekers Group
http://www.mesmacnortheast.com/2013/10/rainbow-home-a-new-lgbt-asylum-seekers-group/
Rainbow Home is an LGBT Asylum Seekers Group run jointly by MESMAC North East and Northern Lights (Metropolitan Community Church http://www.northernlightsmcc.org.uk/ ). The group is a lunchtime social and support group for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people who are seeking asylum in the UK or who have not yet settled here.
Nottingham lesbian Immigration Support Group
http://www.nottinghamwomenscentre.com/lesbian-immigration-support-group/
Can support asylum seekers and refugees to access the services and activities at the LGBT Centre, including emotional support. You can also arrange an appointment to see a fully trained and experienced advisor on LGBT asylum and immigration with an advisor from UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG).
Journey MCC Asylum Social Group
http://blgbt.org/asylum-seekers/ Journey MCC Asylum Social Group is an inclusive social & support group for LGBT asylum seekers, providing a safe, welcoming space in the heart of Birmingham
Out and Proud Diamond Group – Africa LGBT, London
Members represent a wide cross-section of African countries including Gabon, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroon, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Jamaica. Working to promote equality for LGBTI persons in Africa and other countries where LGBTI persons are persecuted
Rainbows Across Borders - Croydon
http://www.rainbowsacrossborders.org.uk/
Rainbows Across Borders is a voluntary self-help group for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution of oppressive homophobic/transphobic regimes.
SCOTLAND:
Scottish Refugee Council has information and advice for LGBT asylum seekers on its website at the following link:
http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/get_help/i_am_lgbti_and_want_to_claim_asylum
WALES:
http://www.unityproject.org.uk/no-going-back/
Unity Project is here to provide support and legal representation to people who are seeking asylum in the UK because they fear persecution in their own country due to their sexual orientation.
OTHER WEBSITE LINKS:
· The Lesbian and Gay Foundation
· The Pankhurst Centre Manchester
· Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST)
· Refugee Action Greater Manchester
· Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Women's Services at Trafford Rape Crisis Centre
· Safra Project by and for Muslim LBT women
· Imaan LGBTQI Muslim Support Group (London)
· Article on lesbian asylum seekers in 'Women's Asylum News'
· 'Seeking Refuge?: a Handbook for Asylum-Seeking Women' - Rights of Women Publication
Link to government guidance explaining how asylum interviews for claims made on the basis of sexual identity are to be conducted:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sexual-identity-issues-in-the-asylum-claim
Sexually explicit material cannot be accepted even if voluntarily submitted. Please see Government Asylum policy instructions dated March 2015 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410098/Asylum_Interviews_AI.pdf
BARRISTER S CHELVAN is an expert in asylum claims based on sexual or gender identity. He developed the Difference, Stigma, Shame, Harm (DSSH) model as a way of exploring and presenting asylum claims on the basis of sexual or gender identity. The model has been endorsed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in their International Protection Guidelines. DSSH model https://www.no5.com/cms/documents/DSSH%20Model%20and%20LGBTI%20Asylum%20Claims.pdf
THE PETER TATCHELL FOUNDATION has guidance on the asylum process plus suggested contacts for country statements http://www.petertatchell.net/asylum/asylumadvice.htm
HUMAN DIGNITY TRUST REPORT. It is illegal to be lesbian in almost a quarter of the countries in the world. Breaking the Silence: Criminalisation of Lesbians and Bisexual Women and its Impacts, a 2016 report by The Human Dignity Trust highlights the issues lesbians and bisexual women face rights due to the combination of their gender and sexuality.
‘These are diverse stories which are seldom heard. I hope this book will encourage empathy, compassion and a better understanding.’ Laila El Metoui, Equality Advocate.
‘What a great book!’ – Ali Smith, Winner of the Women’s Prize for fiction