ORAM – Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration, Opening doors: a global survey of NGO attitudes towards LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers, San Francisco: ORAM, 2012

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers and refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world. Having fled persecution in their home countries without the support of their families or local communities, they frequently confront even more social exclusion, severe discrimination, and violence in their countries of transit or asylum. Their extreme marginalization deepens the need for informed intervention by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs — central to international refugee protection efforts — play an especially crucial role on behalf of these most vulnerable of refugees. This report seeks to help NGOs protect LGBTI refugees. Moreover, because these individuals often hide their identity for fear of mistreatment, NGOs must affirmatively create for them an atmosphere of safety, understanding, and support.