Immigrant, Refugee, and People Seeking Asylum x LGBTQIA+ Community

Newly arrived LGBTQIA+ refugees have overcome incredible challenges for the chance to call the UK their home. The UK didn’t formally recognise sexuality as a reason for claiming refugee status until 2010, so refugees were forced to live without papers before that. Today, migrants and refugees are still discriminated against just for originating from other countries, but must suffer double-marginalisation due to being LGBTQIA+, and face even more discrimination, exclusion, and lack of access to safe spaces. This day will explore a variety of topics about challenges this community faces, as well as share personal stories and insight from this community to raise awareness and promote understanding amongst allies. Key topics to be discussed include: - Escaping from cultural and religious tensions and criminalisation - Navigating asylum claims and gender recognition - Housing and economic barriers Speakers who are contributing content to this section include: - Aderonke Apata, CEO, African Rainbow Family - Rahim El Hababchi, HIV/AIDS activist, co-host of the podcast "Queerness and all that Sh*t" See more information about all speakers in the Speakers section.