Description
Within the growing field of research on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression claims of asylum (SOGIECA), there has been a focus on the refugee status determination process, placing LGBTQIA+ asylum claimants in the impossible position of proving their ‘LGBTQIA+ identity’. Notably, this research has been largely dominated by the narratives of cisgender gay men, contributing to a gap in understanding the experiences of other LGBTQIA+ individuals. At the same time, minority ethnic and refugee LGBTIQ+ individuals find themselves in a particularly vulnerable position, as they can both experience challenges associated with being a sexual and/or gender minority as well as being an ethnic minority (e.g., stigmatization, harassment, and discrimination). Furthermore, studies show that this group more often than other LGBTIQ+ people experience negative reactions from family or social circle if they are open about their sexuality (e.g., threats of violence and violence, pressure to enter marriage against one's will and various forms of "healing attempts").In this seminar, two presentations will address these issues from different angles and PhD studies.
Sofie Aggerbo Johansen will present preliminary results from her PhD project on the lived experiences of minority ethnic LGBT+ youth. Her PhD project focuses on investigating the lived experiences of minority ethnic LGBT+ young people, including how they experience that their position as a double minority affects their well-being and opportunities as well as how they experience seeking and receiving support and help when they are in a vulnerable situation.
Rieke Schröder addresses in her presentation Queer refugees as killjoys. Troubling new normativities within LGBTQIA+ asylum support in Berlin two gaps within the existing discourse. Firstly, it broadens the lens from solely focusing on the asylum regime, to encompass the ‘integration’ process and support structures available to LGBTQIA+ asylum claimants and refugees. Secondly, it explores how queer asylum claimants and refugees – those who trouble the normativities connected to sexualities and gender identities usually associated within the ‘LGBTQIA+ umbrella’ – carve out space for themselves in Berlin.
Marlene Spanger and Kathrine Vitus will act as opponent to the presentations, after which the floor is open for discussion based on questions from the participants.
| Period | 14 Nov 2023 |
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