As countries tighten anti-gay laws, more LGBTQ+ migrants seek asylum in Europe

Ella Anthony, right , and her partner Doris Ezuruike Chinons, flanked by their dog Paddy, have a coffee during an interview in their house in Passo Corese, near Rome, Monday, March 11, 2024. Knowing that she faced a possible prison term since Nigeria criminalizes same-sex relationships, Anthony fled with her partner to Libya in 2014 and then Italy, where they both won asylum. Their claim? That they had a well-founded fear of anti-LGBTQ+ persecution back home.

To date, more than 60 countries have anti-LGBTQ+ laws on the books, most of them in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. Nigeria also criminalizes consensual same-sex relations between adults and the public display of affection between same-sex couples, as well as restricting the work of groups that advocate for gay people and their rights, according to Human Rights Watch. In regions of Nigeria where Sharia law is in force, LGBTQ+ people can face up to 14 years in prison or the death penalty.

After arriving in Libya, Anthony and Chinonso paid traffickers for the risky boat trip across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, where they both claimed asylum as a member of a group – LGBTQ+ people – who faced persecution in Nigeria. According to refugee norms, applicants for asylum can be granted international protection based on being a “member of a particular social group.”

An EU directive grants special protection for people made vulnerable due to sexual discrimination, prescribing “special procedural guarantees” in countries that receive them. However, it doesn’t specify what those guarantees involve and implementation is uneven. As a result, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers don’t always find protected environments once in the EU.

She said the lack of special protections often impacts female migrants more negatively than male, and can be especially dangerous for lesbians.

Crime Immigration Politics LGBTQ People World News General News Article 110288048

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Trump Says He Will Reverse Protections for LGBTQ Kids on “Day One” If Reelected“Trump is currently the greatest threat to LGBTQ people,” LGBTQ legislative researcher Allison Chapman told Truthout.
Source: truthout - 🏆 69. / 68 Read more »

Europe's Stellantis and China's Leapmotor will sell electric cars in Europe from SeptemberEuropean carmaker Stellantis says it will begin selling electric vehicles from its Chinese partner Leapmotor in nine European countries later this year.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

Europe's Stellantis and China's Leapmotor will sell electric cars in Europe from SeptemberEuropean carmaker Stellantis says it will begin selling electric vehicles from its Chinese partner Leapmotor in nine European countries later this year.
Source: wjxt4 - 🏆 246. / 63 Read more »

Europe's Stellantis and China's Leapmotor will sell electric cars in Europe from SeptemberEuropean carmaker Stellantis says it will begin selling electric vehicles from its Chinese partner Leapmotor in nine European countries later this year.
Source: ksatnews - 🏆 442. / 53 Read more »

Dover Area School Board taking up issues surrounding LGBTQ+ student bodySchool board members discussed a proposal changing policy of name, sex, and gender identity of students
Source: WGAL - 🏆 331. / 59 Read more »

Target scales back on its LGBTQ+ merchandise ahead of Pride Month 2024In a statement to NPR, a spokesperson for the retail giant says it is committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community year-round, not only during the month of June.
Source: NPR - 🏆 96. / 63 Read more »