Katrina Struthers, ‘LGBTI Refugee Protection in a Culture of Disbelief: The impact of integration’, 2020, RLI Working Paper No. 50

This study examines the impact of the refugee status determination (RSD) process in the UK on LGBTI refugees who have been successful with ‘proving’ their sexual orientation. This research explores the impact that the process, which is situated in a culture of disbelief, has on LGBTI refugees’ integration in the UK.

The refusal rate of LGBTI asylum claims is higher when compared with claims based on other grounds, with preconceived notions about how LGBTI persons act are seen to be a contributing factor. However, for the minority of individuals who are successful in ‘proving’ their sexual orientation and gain refugee status in the UK, their experiences of the process is not well documented. This study therefore explores their perspective, concluding with what can be changed during the process to reduce potential, negative, integration outcomes.