Transforming LGBTIQ+ Asylum Policies: A Multi-Country Cross-Sectoral Approach to Research, Policy, and Advocacy

Context and Challenges Addressed
This Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) will revolutionise the academic understanding and policy frameworks surrounding LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning) asylum. This ground-breaking study addresses the critical lack of data and support for LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers and refugees amidst the global crisis of displaced individuals, which reached 30.5 million in mid-2023. LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers face unique challenges when compared to non-LGBTIQ+ individuals, including homophobia and transphobia leading to mental and physical health issues, barriers to legal support, economic hardship, and heightened vulnerability to violence, which have been understudied cross-geographically in asylum research.
The UK's data collection system only captures sexual orientation, with no specific recording of gender identity. Furthermore, recent reviews of LGBTIQ+ asylum scholarship have revealed a lack of research analysing South-to-South asylum flows and insufficient collaboration between Global North and South activists and scholars. These gaps underscore the urgent need for both comprehensive research and inclusive policies to ensure effective asylum processes for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
This study begins with an in-depth analysis of the UK's asylum policies, focusing on the specific experiences of LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers. The UK serves as a foundational case study to identify critical gaps and develop innovative policy solutions. The research then expands to a comparative analysis with the European Union, exploring post-Brexit opportunities for collaborative policy development through high-level events bringing together EU and UK decision-makers. Finally, the study extends to Mexico, Lebanon, and Kenya, chosen for their significant LGBTIQ+ refugee communities and strategic importance in global asylum routes:

Mexico: A critical country for exit, transit, and destination, providing insights into the intersection of LGBTIQ+ issues within Latin American asylum patterns, revealing both South-to-North and South-to-South trajectories.
Lebanon: An essential case study for understanding asylum in resource-limited settings, reflecting the complex socio-political dynamics of the Middle East.
Kenya: As a major refugee-hosting nation, it offers a vital perspective on South-to-South asylum dynamics in Africa.

This multi-country strategy will generate rich data, contributing to academic knowledge and influencing policymaking through robust partnerships.
Aims and Objectives
The project has three primary objectives:









Analyse existing policies: Identify gaps in current asylum policies that fail to adequately support LGBTIQ+ individuals, focusing on the post-Brexit UK context, a selected number of EU countries, and comparative case studies in the Global South focusing on Mexico, Lebanon, and Kenya. 


Co-design practical guidelines: Develop actionable guidelines and tools through collaboration with experts by experience, activists, and scholars to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of asylum policies.


Advocate for implementation: Promote the adoption of these guidelines by directly engaging with decision-makers.









By employing a mixed-methods approach within a decolonial framework, the study will implement participatory design methods to ensure the voices of LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers shape the findings and guidelines.
Applications and Benefits

Policymakers, government officials, legislators, and parliamentary committee members will receive actionable insights to refine and improve asylum policies.
NGOs will obtain guidelines to better support LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers, ensuring their services are more effective.
Academics will gain access to valuable new datasets and novel insights, inspiring further research and filling existing gaps.
LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers and refugees will benefit from enhanced protection through improved asylum processes and increased public awareness of their specific challenges and needs.
The public will gain a deeper understanding of LGBTIQ+ asylum issues through exhibitions, documentaries and theatre performances, fostering a more inclusive society.