Resource: The Positive Spaces Initiative (videos)

The Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI), now in its third phase, is part of the Creating Safe and Positive Space for LGBTQ Newcomers Initiative. This project is funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and runs in Ontario.

The main objective of this project is to support the immigrant and refugee serving sector to more effectively serve LGBTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning) newcomers.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals are an integral, though often invisible, part of immigrant and refugee communities. Immigrant and refugee-serving organizations have an obligation and responsibility to provide relevant, effective and appropriate services for these immigrants and refugees who are often marginalized within multiple communities.

The project says:

One of the most common misconceptions we heard throughout our provincial consultations was that LGBTQ newcomers do not exist, and there is therefore no need for LGBTQ-inclusive settlement services. From others, we were told there is little understanding about how settlement issues are experienced differently by LGBTQ newcomers. Finally, we heard that queer colleagues working in the settlement sector do not feel safe or fully supported in their workplaces. The invisibility and silencing of LGBTQ peoples daily lived experience was further bolstered by very little formal documentation of LGBTQ newcomers and settlement service providers in Ontario. It was in this context that the need for this research emerged.

Main activities to achieve the project’s objective include:

• Conduct regional and provincial consultations
• Provide sector wide training and information sessions
• Promotion of settlement services to LGBTQ newcomers
• Enhance the anti-oppression strategies within the sector, in partnership with other organizations
• To work with community partners and others to collect resources, information and tools to be included on settlement.org and etablissement.org
• Identification of safe, positive and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ newcomers

The project is now running facilitator lead training that addresses all components of service delivery within the Settlement Services for the  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans., Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) communities. It has also created E-Learning Modules, information and fact sheets.

Videos made by PSI









More videos

Resource: In US, LGBT Asylum Support Task Force

By Pastor Judy Hanlon

My name is Pastor Judy Hanlon and I am the co-founder of the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force that physically resides in Worcester, Mass, but helps anyone who contacts us.

You have recently read about Juan. He came from El Salvador to San Diego but contacted me in Worcester via the Internet. We were able to get pastors, drivers, housing, social support, legal support and transportation so that he could thrive in your beautiful state.

Did you know that there are almost 80 countries in which it is illegal to be gay? Our Task Force has helped nearly 30 people from El Salvador, Iraq, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Lebanon and Palestine.

Some have found us through our website, www.lgbtasylum.org. Others have friends that made it here and their gay friends told them about this Task Force. Folks we have supported live in Texas, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Canada!

Through my own connections with the United Church of Christ’s LGBT Coalition and other denominations’ “OUT” groups, I have been able (usually) to find a pastor or a church or an AA group or SOMEONE, who they can connect with safely.

We are NOT a Christian organization, though religious abuse from both fundamentalist Muslims and Christians is something from which all asylum seekers must heal. I can provide exegetical work on the EIGHT Christian “clobber texts” and will simply pray to the God of our flamboyant universe with our Muslim friends.

One Jamaican man said that a herd of deacons prayed over him for eight hours that the demon of homosexuality would come OUT OF HIM! For months after being safe in America, he had night terrors about that event!

We would love to come and tell you how to replicate what we are doing, especially since San Diego is said to have the best weather in the entire world! Until then, if you could find a way to financially help us, that would be absolutely amazing.

At this moment, we are supporting nine asylum seekers to the tune of about $4,000 per month. We have exhausted all grants and simply do fundraisers, from spaghetti suppers to yard sales, from “cocktails for cash” amid our wealthier supporters to letters of desperate appeals!

Read more »

Resource: Immigration and asylum rights for trans people in USA

The San Francisco branch of the National Lawyers Guild has produced the second edition of a manual on rights for transgender people. One of the manuals focuses on immigration and asylum rights, it has an emphasis on Bay Area law and practices.

Manual: Immigration and asylum rights for trans people in USA

Related articles

• In US, new legal resource covers trans detainees (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Slideshow: Over Not Out research report + Greenwich Declaration of Human Rights for LGBTI asylum seekers

Over Not Out Research Report & Greenwich Declaration of Human Rights for LGBTI asylum seekers

Related articles

• Major report finds EU countries using prejudice to reject LGBTI asylum claims (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Resource: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Justice: A Comparative Law Casebook

Source: International Commission of Jurists.

In 2009 the International Commission of Jurists began to gather together national court decisions that addressed questions concerning sexual orientation and gender identity. It did so because it had become evident that battles over someof the most controversial issues of the day were being waged in domestic courts.

A very small number of cases can be brought before international human rights bodies - such as the regional human rights commissions and courts and UN treaty bodies - but increasingly international human rights arguments were being heard at the domestic level. What you have before you is the result of this research.

The fourteen chapters are organised by topic. Each chapter begins with a general introduction to that particular field of law, followed by case summaries. The latter set forth the legal issue and the relevant domestic, comparative and international law, and then summarise the arguments, reasoning, and result.

Cases that are summarised in the Casebook are bold-faced throughout the text. Altogether, the Casebook consists of 108 cases, from 41 countries across a variety of regions, covering a span of more than forty years. The vast majority of decisions, nevertheless, date from the past decade. The pace of change is clearly accelerating.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Justice - A Comparative Law Casebook

Resource: UNHCR guidance note: LGBTI refugees in forced displacement

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Persons in Forced Displacement, 2011

Due to the discrimination and abuse they experience, many LGBTI people, including adolescents, fee their home countries and seek protection abroad. The multiple vulnerabilities that LGBTI refugees may face in all stages of the displacement cycle is an increasing protection concern. It is important for UNHCR to ensure that the rights of LGBTI persons of concern to the Office are met without discrimination. This places an onus on offices to develop a thorough understanding of the circumstances of LGBTI persons under their care. This note provides staff with guidance on a range of issues when working to meet these responsibilities.

UNHCR: LGBTI refugees in forced displacement

Places limited for events on National Human Rights Tour in UK

Image by driusan via Flickr

Source: The British Institute of Human Rights

What’s the role of human rights in a period of cut backs to public services? What is the role of human rights in protecting the vulnerable? Do human rights offer an effective tool for people wishing to challenge the impact of service cuts or changes? How do we make sure we balance one person’s rights against the interests of society as a whole?

These are the questions at the heart of a National Human Rights Tour by the British Institute of Human Rights.  There will be 16 free-to-attend events taking place across the UK between September and December 2011. The full list of destinations is:

Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, London, Manchester, Mold (North Wales), Newcastle, Norwich, Oxford, Plymouth, Scotland (2 events TBC), Sheffield.

Full information about dates, locations, and booking is available at the end of this message. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment and please forward this information to your colleagues, friends and networks.

Background

Read more »

Resource: The Iranian Queer Organization

Saghi Ghahraman

Source: Shahrvand

By Sima Sahar Zerehi

The Iranian Queer Organization better known as IRQO is likely the name that most people remember when it comes to organizing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and transsexual Iranians in Toronto. The group was formed in the summer of 2006 by Niaz Salimi, Arsham Parsi, Sam Kusha, Roshan Borhan, and Saghi Ghahraman. Since its genesis IRQO has spearheaded an aggressive agenda of educating, mobilizing and advocating on behalf of LGBTQ Iranians.

Today, although short one of its founding members, IRQO continues to be an active queer rights group working on multiple fronts.

Niaz Salimi and Saghi Ghahraman continue to lead the organization with the assistance of a team of dedicated volunteers including Hamid Parnian, Yegane Dudi, Parastoo Rahmani, Mahiar Fatemi, and Ramin Jafari,

“We work to combat discrimination against homosexuality within the penal code of Iran,” begins Saghi Ghahraman.

Ghahraman a slight almost girlish figure with shocking silver hair is a well-known personality in the Toronto Iranian community.  She’s the kind of trailblazer that creates controversy wherever she goes, a true iconoclast. You can even say that she has a talent for provoking people and making them question the very things they take for granted as essential truths. In short, she’s exactly the kind of person you want standing next to you when you’re fighting a battle to create change.

While today she is known by most people as a queer rights advocate, she is remembered by the founders of 'Tehranto' as a poet and writer with three published books of poetry and a collection of short stories; literary achievements that helped to give a voice to a generation’s experience with migration to Canada.

Ghahraman continues by noting that “Raising awareness about LGBT human and civil rights” is another key goal for the group.

While IRQO is based in Toronto, the organization also advocates for LGBTQs who fled Iran to claim refugee status in Turkey or other transit and or host countries.

“We provide assistance via legal and financial support until they’re granted refugee status and are resettled in a safe country,” Ghahraman explains.

Read more »

Resource: Right to work for asylum seekers and refugees

This blog promotes the right to work (sometimes called permission to work) of asylum seekers and refugees at a global level. It is a unique resource to find caselaw, programs and recommendations on access to this right.

The blog is run by Julien Blanc who currently works as a researcher within the framework of a European project focusing on access to protection of unprotected unaccompanied minors.

Resource: The Refugee Survival Trust

Picture Suzanne Smith

By Alistair Hayes

The Refugee Survival Trust is a small charity set up in 1996 that aims to tackle the destitution problem that affects numerous refugees and asylum seekers. It is no surprise that people fleeing persecution often arrive in Scotland disorientated, with little money and few language skills; many such people fall prey to destitution: they are left poverty stricken, sleeping on the streets or in inadequate housing; they have no money, no friends, no access to public services and no prospects.

The Refugee Survival Trust has two aims. Firstly, we provide small grants to help asylum seekers and refugees avoid falling into the steely grip of destitution. These grants can pay for a bus trip to the asylum application point in Liverpool, a few days financial support while the asylum system catches up with a change in circumstances, or payment for accommodation for a short period while longer term housing is arranged; these ‘destitution grants’ aim to plug the gaps in the asylum system. We also provide education and employment grants to help refugees and asylum seekers integrate into society.

We work closely with the Scottish Refugee Council. This partnership allows us to take advantage of their close involvement with refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland, and it gives them access to vital funds for refugees and asylum seekers in need of urgent financial support. The first step towards receiving a grant from the RST is to head along to the Scottish Refugee Council and speak to one of their fantastic caseworkers; the caseworker decides if an individual’s circumstances meet the criteria for an RST grant, and then send us an email request if it does. All donations we receive from the public go directly and in full to grants for refugees and asylum seekers.

Our second aim is to encourage policymaking and reform of the asylum system that will help reduce the threat of destitution. To this end we undertake research and produce reports that can be used by policymakers to help them make informed decisions. We hope that by highlighting the plight of refugees and asylum seekers we can increase awareness among the general public and policymakers to take action.

We are currently setting up a talks program that will be delivered by volunteers and inform people about what it is like to be a refugee or asylum seeker in Scotland and how only a small amount of money can make a huge difference to their lives. We hope to recruit an enthusiastic team of volunteers that includes former asylum seekers who can provide a personal insight into the pressures of the asylum application process.

If you think you might be interested in volunteering as a talks ambassador for the RST please email communications@rst.org.uk or call 0131 243 2660.

To find out more about any aspect of our operations you can visit our website.

Related articles

• In Yorkshire, new support group for LGBT asylum seekers (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Resource: Women's Migration and Asylum Network

Image via Wikipedia

Rights
 of
 Women
 (ROW)
 has started
 an
 e‐group
 network
 entitled
 the
 'Women's
 Migration
 and
 Asylum
 Network'.
 The
 network 
aims 
to 
influence 
policy 
and 
law
 in
 relation 
to 
female
 asylum
 seekers
 and
 refugees.


Individuals
 from
 organisations
 working for those
 involved
 in
 immigration
 law
 and
 policy
 issues
 are
 welcome
 to
 join.
 Further
 information
 on
 the
 terms
 of
 reference
for
 this
 group
 can
 be
 obtained
 at
 the 
website,
 and
 those
 who
 wish
 to
 join
 the
 network
 may
 email
 Catherine
 Briddick
 with
 'Join
 the
 Women's
 Migration
 and
 Asylum Network'
 in
 the
 subject
 line
 and
 your
 full
 name
 and
 organisation/affiliation.

HT: Fahuma

Resource: Persian Gay and Lesbian Liberators. Event: PGLL at London Pride 2011

PGLL @ Pride 2010

Source: Persian Gay and Lesbian Liberators

Persian Gay and Lesbian Liberators is proud to announce that we will again be at this year's Gay and Lesbian pride in London on Saturday 2 July, raising awareness for LGBTs for those whom are living in such homophobic disasters as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Pakistan.

• time to meet :12 noon
• place: Piccadilly circuses

• For more information please contact pgll2010@aol.com.(Maani)

We assist LGBT Asylum seekers and Refugees who are native Persian speakers such as Afghans, Tajiks and Iranians in the UK.

Help we have given includes:

• Receiving Legal requirement, e.g finding convenient lawyer or Solicitors.
• Assisting with Education e.g finding suitable or local College or school for studying English and learn the English language.
• Assisting with communication such as contact with their designated organisation e.g Home Office, National Asylum Support service (NASS), Asylum Registration card (ARC).
• Assisting with filling necessary forms such as Housing, Hospital, Home office, Job centre, Educational etc.
• Health: register the Client (LGBT Asylum) with their local General Practitioner (GP)

The Persian Gay and Lesbian Liberators (PGLL) is an asylum and refugee support group organization in the UK that advocates for civil and human rights for Persian speaker such as Afghan, Tajikistan, and Iranian LGBT asylum seekers.

Read more »

Resource: Using video for LGBT rights advocacy

Source: Witness



Also:

• Filming, Audio & Using Cellphones
• Filming & Protecting Interviewees
• Editing and Distributing Your Film

The human rights organization WITNESS provides training and support to local groups to use video in their campaigns but also provides a vast collection of resources and tools designed to help create videos for effective human rights advocacy including those that:

"will prompt you to weigh the benefits and challenges of working with video; others will provide practical, how-to guidance about video-making; while others will prompt you to think seriously and thoroughly about the safety and security of you and your colleagues as well as those who appear in your video."

Resource: Southern Refugee Legal Aid Network

The Southern 
Refugee 
Legal
 Aid
 Network 

has
 expanded
 the
 online
 resources
 for
 refugees
and
 refugee
 legal
 aid
 providers
 on
 its
 website.


New
 content
 includes:

• new
 Brazilian
 organisations
 added
 to
 the
 pro
 bono
 legal
 aid
 directory;

• new resources
 on
 age
 determination;
 
• details
 of
 organisations working
on
 separated 
children 
in
 the
 United 
Kingdom
 and
 on detention
 in
 the
 United
 States;
 
• resources
 for
 legal
 aid
 providers 
working 
on 
gang‐based 
asylum 
claims;
• 
a
 compilation
 of
 UNHCR
 Executive
 Commiiee
 conclusions,
 organised
 by theme;
 
• a
 link
 to
 the
 International
 Organization
 for Migration
 glossary
 of
 migration, 
an
 invaluable
 resource
 that ensures
 greater
 clarity
on
 a
 range
 of
 migration,
 asylum
 and legal
 terms,
 especially
 helpful
 to
 those
 legal
 advisers
 whose
 first
 language
 is
 not
 English,
 on
 the
 SRLAN
 page
 of
 useful
 libraries.

Refugee Caselaw site undergoes makeover

Source: Forced Migration Current Awareness

The University of Michigan Law School's Refugee Caselaw site has undergone a significant makeover. The essentials remain the same, although the collection has certainly grown and is more up-to-date. (My search for cases decided between January 2010 and May 2011 produced 95 hits, with the most recent being a UK case from April 2011.)

Visitors can use the "guided search" to locate decisions from over 30 different jurisdictions. As before, they can retrieve specific cases by court, date, claimant's country of origin, Hathaway numbers (i.e., "chapter and section numbers of Professor James Hathaway's treatise, The Law of Refugee Status"), concepts (or keywords), and case name.

In addition, the site now offers more personalized features for those who become members. Specifically:

By registering, you may receive e-mail updates for any search criteria based on your personal preferences, timed to arrive when you prefer. You may also post requests for advice, and respond to the advice requests of others. As a member, you may also save cases to your personal briefcase between visits - allowing you to print or otherwise access the results of your searches whenever it is most convenient for you.

The opportunity to ask for advice may prove to be particularly appealing to new members, as well as the ability to save searches and set up alerts for new cases when they are uploaded to the database.
another draw for visitors will no doubt be the free full-text of the aforementioned book by James Hathaway, The Law of Refugee Status. You can access the text via the left-hand sidebar displayed on every page of the site, which offers the option to "access chapters."

While the Refugee Caselaw collection is smaller than Refworld's, its customizable search options allow users to hone in on very specific concepts and to review a basic summary of a case before proceeding to the full-text. These are definitely useful features when undertaking legal research.

Value-added resources like these are challenging to maintain over the long-term, requiring both dedicated managers and content providers. Hopefully, the current contributors and those who join in the future will continue to add new cases in a timely fashion to help ensure the relevance of this site over time.