Standing in Solidarity: Wear It Purple Day at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Today, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) proudly wears purple in unwavering solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community. On this year’s Wear It Purple Day, we celebrate the theme “Bold Voices, Bright Futures” and shine a light on the plight of LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum and refugees who face disproportionate challenges simply for being who they are. 

We are also committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff, members and volunteers.

ASRC’s Gender Clinic, which operates within the Human Rights Law Program, is a unique service that offers specialised legal assistance to individuals with gender based claims for asylum, including because of persecution relating to gender or sexuality, seeking protection from gender-based persecution – particularly women and LGBTQIA+ clients. We recognise that LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum face additional barriers and complex challenges solely due to their identity. 

Many flee not only war, political instability or religious persecution, but also violence targeted specifically at them because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics, whether that violence is at the hands of their families, communities or governments. Consensual same-sex sexual acts remain criminalised in 64 countries, with 12 countries either enforcing or allowing death penalty for these acts.

Sadly, upon arrival in Australia, many LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum continue to experience additional trauma and structural barriers. The already flawed and difficult to navigate refugee status determination process, built on evidence, credibility and proof, can be especially difficult for LGBTQI+ people for whom proving their identity is often impossible or re-traumatising. 

In countries where LGBTQIA+ identities are criminalised or socially condemned, secrecy is often the only way to survive. People who seek protection from persecution on the grounds of their sexuality or gender can find themselves in the impossible situation of having being forced to hide their identity in order to stay safe while then having to provide documentary evidence to prove to authorities in Australia that they are LGBTQIA+.

Many arrive in Australia having never spoken openly about their identity, and may carry deep trauma, shame, and internalised stigma. Yet to be granted protection, they must provide personal, often intrusive evidence of their gender or sexuality. This process can be painful and re-traumatising with decision makers rarely adhering to trauma-informed practices. When claims for protection are rejected due to lack of evidence, stereotypes, assumptions, disbelief or prejudice, people can be deported to countries where their lives are at risk. 

For LGBTQIA+ people in immigration detention, the risk of further trauma increases exponentially. Detention centres are heavily gendered, lacking safe spaces for queer and trans individuals. People are often subjected to misgendering, denied access to gender-affirming care, and face harassment and bullying. 

Beyond the legal process, LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum face layered discrimination – from social isolation, lack of opportunity and welcome, to barriers to accessing health and mental health services, safe housing, employment and training.

Despite gains in acceptance and awareness in Australia, homophobia and transphobia persist, as do racism and cultural insensitivity, leaving LGBTQIA+ refugees without safe and inclusive spaces, further exacerbating mental health challenges, isolation, social disconnection and exclusion from vital support networks.

One recent case from ASRC’s Gender Clinic illustrates both the immense challenges and the transformative impact of inclusive, trauma-informed support. A gay man had been living in Australia without a visa for several years. He had exhausted all his savings, was sleeping rough, and was struggling with mental distress.

The Gender Clinic supported him in lodging a Protection visa application, including providing a supporting statement and having a lawyer attend his interview with the Department of Home Affairs with him. The Gender Clinic also helped him apply for work rights, which were successfully granted, and connected him to ASRC’s Housing Program and Foodbank services, and external mental health care specialised in working with LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum.

Despite ongoing challenges, including missed legal appointments due to mental distress, the dedicated and patient support of ASRC staff and volunteers helped pave a pathway to permanent protection. His case is a testament to the importance of trauma-informed, specialised, and compassionate services to affirm identity, restore humanity and build bright futures.

Want to know or do more?

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Read more about the complex challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ refugees and people seeking asylum here:

 

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