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I'm going to have to teach lesbian asylum seekers 'how to act lezzer' I'm going to have to teach lesbian asylum seekers 'how to act lezzer'
(6 months later)
Two years ago a Ugandan asylum seeker named Brenda Namigadde who had fled to the UK to escape life-threatening homophobia was escorted by two border control officers on to a plane about to take off for Uganda. With minutes to spare Brenda's lawyers secured an injunction against the decision and Brenda was saved. Brenda is safe for now, but she, along with countless other asylum-seeking lesbians in the UK could again face deportation unless the government recognises that sending them back to countries such as Uganda is a death penalty.Two years ago a Ugandan asylum seeker named Brenda Namigadde who had fled to the UK to escape life-threatening homophobia was escorted by two border control officers on to a plane about to take off for Uganda. With minutes to spare Brenda's lawyers secured an injunction against the decision and Brenda was saved. Brenda is safe for now, but she, along with countless other asylum-seeking lesbians in the UK could again face deportation unless the government recognises that sending them back to countries such as Uganda is a death penalty.
This is the reality for asylum-seeking lesbians in the UK. Bearing in mind the stress these women are under, they should be forgiven for not prioritising reading the Lesbian Stereotype Handbook that provides instructions on how to convince a judge that they are lezzer. But, according to new research from the University of Southampton they are going to have to learn about everything from dildos to Oscar Wilde.This is the reality for asylum-seeking lesbians in the UK. Bearing in mind the stress these women are under, they should be forgiven for not prioritising reading the Lesbian Stereotype Handbook that provides instructions on how to convince a judge that they are lezzer. But, according to new research from the University of Southampton they are going to have to learn about everything from dildos to Oscar Wilde.
The research, based on interviews with 12 lesbians from countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Jamaica found that the interviewees were disbelieved about being lesbian in the first instance and required to provide all manner of "evidence" to back their claims.The research, based on interviews with 12 lesbians from countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Jamaica found that the interviewees were disbelieved about being lesbian in the first instance and required to provide all manner of "evidence" to back their claims.
It was found that judges asked the women if they had been on a Pride procession, used sex toys, read gay literature or visited certain gay clubs.It was found that judges asked the women if they had been on a Pride procession, used sex toys, read gay literature or visited certain gay clubs.
I am considering writing a handbook for immigration judges on how to spot a lesbian. They are, in the main, women. Not all of them favour cats over dogs. Some fancy Jodie Foster, others favour Tracy Chapman. Most, if given the opportunity, would pay to meet Sarah Lund from The Killing in real life. Not all have tattoos but they do tend to wear men's boxer shorts and carry a Zippo lighter.I am considering writing a handbook for immigration judges on how to spot a lesbian. They are, in the main, women. Not all of them favour cats over dogs. Some fancy Jodie Foster, others favour Tracy Chapman. Most, if given the opportunity, would pay to meet Sarah Lund from The Killing in real life. Not all have tattoos but they do tend to wear men's boxer shorts and carry a Zippo lighter.
Until recently, the Home Office had a policy of rejecting asylum claims from lesbians and gay men on the basis that they could avoid torture and imprisonment in their homeland by being "discreet", in other words, keeping quiet about our love of Cagney and Lacey box sets and matching cagoules, but in 2010 the supreme court ruled that this represented a breach of asylum seekers' human rights.Until recently, the Home Office had a policy of rejecting asylum claims from lesbians and gay men on the basis that they could avoid torture and imprisonment in their homeland by being "discreet", in other words, keeping quiet about our love of Cagney and Lacey box sets and matching cagoules, but in 2010 the supreme court ruled that this represented a breach of asylum seekers' human rights.
One of the five judges on the case said that gay refugees should be able to "talk about boys" with their female friends without fear of persecution. He also said that gay people should be free to "go to Kylie concerts and [drink] exotically coloured cocktails" without fear of reprisals. It would appear from the Southampton research that lessons have not been properly learned, and judges are still basing their decisions on anti-lesbian assumptions as opposed to evidence.One of the five judges on the case said that gay refugees should be able to "talk about boys" with their female friends without fear of persecution. He also said that gay people should be free to "go to Kylie concerts and [drink] exotically coloured cocktails" without fear of reprisals. It would appear from the Southampton research that lessons have not been properly learned, and judges are still basing their decisions on anti-lesbian assumptions as opposed to evidence.
Rather than asking women in similar positions as Brenda Namigadde about lesbian culture involving daftness and stereotypes, judges could better use their time understanding the culture of hate and violence from which these women have fled, and ensure that the UK authorities give them protection and not further persecution. Or perhaps I could open a "lesbian school" for asylum seekers to equip them in the proper way to dress and behave before they go to court.Rather than asking women in similar positions as Brenda Namigadde about lesbian culture involving daftness and stereotypes, judges could better use their time understanding the culture of hate and violence from which these women have fled, and ensure that the UK authorities give them protection and not further persecution. Or perhaps I could open a "lesbian school" for asylum seekers to equip them in the proper way to dress and behave before they go to court.
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