LGBT Refugees

Homosexuality and being transgender are fairly well accepted in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many other countries. LGBT people in those countries often hide their sexual orientation or gender identity from everyone around them, and live in constant tension. No matter how well they do their best, sometimes it is unavoidable that their identity comes out. Then very threatening situations arise, where people have to flee, often without their partner and any children. In the Netherlands, they go into in the asylum procedure just like any refugee. But because of everything they have experienced, LGBT refugees are often very vulnerable and traumatized.

Listening ear

In 2013 SHOUT was approached by Vluchtelingenwerk Oost Nederland, who asked whether we could offer support to an LGBT refugee. Although we had no experience with this, we decided to accept this request. This was the start of the AZC Support committee, because we saw how important this support can be.

Refugees can request a conversation with us. Two people of our AZC committee will then plan an appointment. This is often the first time for refugees that they can openly talk about their identity and everything they have experienced. We therefore mainly offer a listening ear, but also advise on the importance of openness to the lawyer and IND. In addition, we provide a picture of Dutch homosexual acceptance and offer guidance through the maze of available organizations in the Netherlands.

Further contact

After the first conversation, there is often a need for further contact. Especially the isolation of the AZCs is hard for many LGBT refugees. They still can not be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity because they often live with their fellow countrymen in the same complex. That’s why we invite them to come to our parties and pink cafe evenings. We arrange transport so that they can get home safely. It is great to see how these people slowly crawl out of their shell in our own safe space. Many later indicate that these parties were really important in their further coming-out.

Since the summer of 2019 SHOUT facilitates a bi-weekly refugee gathering in the RainbowRoom. The refugees organise the events themself. 

Since 2013, the AZC Support Committee has spoken with 187 LGBT refugees from 34 different countries (figures up to the end of 2016).

If you have any questions or if you are interested, you can send an e-mail by using the contact form on this website, or mail directly to azcsupport@shoutwageningen.nl