Seeking asylum is a fundamental human right and yet the UK’s asylum system has proven to be deeply flawed and to discriminate against LGBT identities. The Home Office continues to foster a culture of disbelief against LGBT asylum seekers who have to ‘prove’ they are LGBT. Furthermore, the asylum seeking process is so bureaucratic that it traps asylum seekers into a vicious circle of destitution with staggering impacts on their mental health and wellbeing.

Refusal from the Home Office

The Home Office fosters a hostile environment that makes asylum seekers feel unwelcomed. Living in a constant state of fear of refusal, many asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers don’t access the support they are entitled to (Refugee Action, 2006). Those eligible for Section 4 support are reluctant to sign up because they can’t accept the condition of returning home due to fear of ongoing persecution at home. This leaves asylum seekers and refugees trapped in an endless circle of destitution (Scottish Refugee Council, 2012).

The right to work and survival strategies

On top of this, asylum seekers don’t have the right to work whilst seeking asylum, making it really hard to survive. Not being able to work has been repeatedly shown to be a great source of stress to asylum seekers (McColl et al., 2008) inhibiting social integration and increasing poverty. However, many asylum seekers have skills that could be of great benefit to society (Phillimore and Goodson, 2006) and allowing asylum seekers to work could have a positive impact on the UK’s economy.

Refugee status and access to work

The transition to refugee status for those who get a positive outcome on their asylum application can be difficult. Gaps in support (British Read Cross & Boaz Trusts, 2013) at this time of transition include delays in the issuing of vital documents. Refugees also face barriers to access the labour market including lack of interpreters and sign language interpreters, lack of knowledge among Department of Work and Pensions staff around disability issues, and long waiting times.

Health and access to healthcare

When it comes to health, many refugees come to the UK having fled situations that may have contributed to pre-existing mental or physical health problems. At the end of the 1990s, as many as 20% of asylum seekers and refugees had severe physical health problems (Burnett & Peel, 2001) that made their day to day life difficult. And when looking to access mental health support, long waiting times leaves asylum seekers and refugees in greater vulnerable positions.

LGBT discrimination

Over the years, the treatment of LGBT asylum seekers in the UK has attracted widespread attention and concern. The Home Office continues to foster a culture of disbelief that left thousands of LGBT asylum seekers being refused asylum in 2019. Treated with suspicion rather than compassion, LGBT asylum seekers are submitted to stereotyping and inappropriate questioning during asylum interviews. In that difficult process, the accommodation provided by the Home Office is often unsafe where LGBT asylum seekers and refugees are harassed and discriminated against by fellow asylum seekers and refugees, and staff.