Mengia Tschalaer, ‘Between queer liberalisms and Muslim masculinities: LGBTQI+ Muslim asylum assessment in Germany’, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 2019

Abstract

This article focuses on Germany’s assessment of refugee claims made by LGBTQI+ Muslims. Based on the analysis of several asylum decisions, it seeks to render insight into the ways in which credibility is assessed at the intersection of sexuality and Islam. Drawing on Jasbir Puar’s theory of homonationalism, this article first argues that Germany is more likely to grant protection in cases where the asylum seeker successfully adopts German/Western standards of moral on gay/queer sexualities. Secondly, this article discusses the manner in which “acceptance” and “tolerance” for gay and queer Muslim asylum seekers is inextricably linked to constructions of Muslim sexualities and masculinities in current asylum and the immigration debate in Germany. In closing, the article offers some suggestion on how to work towards a more inclusive asylum system in Germany and Europe more generally.

Keywords: Islam, masculinities, queer, asylum, immigration control, Germany