Sexual minority Refugees in search of freedom

I have come to learn that there are many LGBTTQ* refugees that have fled their land of origin to escape persecution because of their sexual identity. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (March 24, 2011), there are “seventy-seven countries [that] continue to criminalize homosexuality and five prescribe the death penalty,” (para. 4). This is horrific! No one should be subjected to persecution because of their sexual identity, especially not the death penalty. Many of these sexual minorities relocate to a safe country, such as Canada, in search of a better life and future. However, some LGBTTQ* immigrants who are seeking refuge in Canada face barriers because they do not take up residency in Canada during their allotted time they are granted (1 year) after leaving their home country (Young, 2009).

I feel that before decision-makers deny LGBTTQ* refugees Canadian citizenship, they should to take into account the reasons as to why LGBTTQ* refugees have not taken up citizenship in our country within a year after leaving their native country. For example, same-sex refugee couples may first migrate to the United States and later learn that some states ban same-sex marriages and ban same-sex couples from adopting a child, as opposed to Canada, which does not have such a ban on marriage and child adoption (Young, 2009). Another reason is that sexual minority refugees may be uninformed that Canada accepts refugee claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity in which the countries that accept refugee sexual minorities may have states that ban same-sex (Young, 2009). Therefore, I feel when Canada questions the reasoning for sexual minorities who do not to take up refuge in another country, such as the United Sates, they should look into the subjective reasoning as to why sexual minorities have not done so, as many are unaware of the supportive gesture of such countries.

The Canadian government has shown its support to many refugees who have escaped prosecution from their homelands. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (March 24, 2011), “Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will partner with the Rainbow Refugee Committee (RFC) to share the cost of sponsoring a refugee” (para.  3). Regardless of a person’s sexual orientation, the Canadian government will sponsor individuals or couples for 3 years (George, 2003). I believe that in order for these sexual minority refugees to carry on in our Canadian mosaic, they need to be provided with many services and supports. I cannot imagine going into another country and not knowing what it takes in order to survive in that new cultural context. Thankfully, the CIC has partnered with the RFC to sponsor sexual minority immigrants by providing them with local resources and services, food, shelter, clothing and so on, in order to help these sexual minority immigrants have a smooth transition into our Canadian culture (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, March 24, 2011).

I believe LGBTTQ* refugees that migrate to Canada should have the opportunity to have their voices heard without judgment by our Canadian government, as everyone has a voice that needs to be heard.  If people in power are able to listen to the voices of sexual minorities - as opposed to judging them in terms of their track record as to where they have been residing around the world – they may be better able to understand their reasoning for wanting to take refuge in Canada. I am thankful to learn that our Canadian government has opened up its doors to allow sexual minority refugees to reside in our country, as well as working towards providing resources that will assist them in their  transition into Canada’s cultural mosaic. 

- Stephanie M. 

References

Young, J. (2009). The alternate refuge concept: A source of systematic disadvantage to sexual minority refugee claimants. University of New Brunswick Law Journal, 60,   294-337. 

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2011, March 24). Government of Canada to help gay and lesbian refugees feeling persecution. Retrieved from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2011/2011-03-24.asp

George, U. (2003). Immigration and refugee policy in Canada: Past, present, and future. In A. Westhues (Ed.), Canadian social policy: Issues and perspectives. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 145-163.