LGBT+ Refugees
Homosexuality and being transgender are thankfully pretty well accepted in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many other countries. LGBT people in those countries often keep their orientation or gender identity hidden from everyone around them, and live in constant tension.
No matter how well they try, sometimes there is no way to prevent their orientation or being transgender from coming out. And then very threatening situations arise in which people have to flee, often without a partner and any children.
Arriving in the Netherlands, they are included in the asylum procedure just like any refugee. But because of all they have been through, LGBT+ refugees are often very vulnerable and traumatized.
Listening ear
In 2013, SHOUT was approached by Refugee Council East Netherlands, asking if we could offer support to an LGBT refugee. Although we had no experience with this, we decided to respond to this request.
This was the beginning of the AZC Support Committee, as we saw how important this support can be. Refugees request an interview. Two of our volunteers then meet with the refugee for an interview.
Often this is the first time people can talk openly about their orientation and everything they have been through. Therefore, we primarily offer a listening ear, but also advise on the importance of openness to the attorney and IND.
We also provide a picture of Dutch gay acceptance and guide them among all available organizations.
More contact
After such an initial conversation, there is often a need for more contact. The isolation of the AZCs is especially hard on many LGBT refugees. They still cannot be open about their orientation or gender identity because they often live with compatriots in the same complex.
Therefore, we invite them to come to our parties and Pink Cafe nights and arrange transportation so they can get home safely. It’s great to see these people feast their eyes on such an evening and slowly come out of their shell.
Many later report that such celebrations were really important in their subsequent coming-out.
Since summer 2019, we have also been facilitating once-in-a-lifetime meetings of LGBT+ refugees residing in Wageningen. They organize the interpretation of the evening themselves. SHOUT hereby offers its facilities, such as our Rainbow Room.
Since 2013, the AZC Support Committee has spoken to 187 LGBT refugees from 34 different countries (figures through the end of 2016).
For questions or if interested, email azcsupport@shoutwageningen.nl.
