🎙️ Este episodio es en español / This episode is in Spanish

En este episodio, nos adentramos en el contexto español para hablar sobre el sistema de asilo y los desafíos específicos que enfrentan las personas LGBTIQ+ que buscan protección internacional.

Diego conversa con Martín Butta, de la Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado (CEAR), sobre cómo ha evolucionado el sistema de asilo en España, cuáles son sus fortalezas y limitaciones, y qué papel juegan las comunidades autónomas, la sociedad civil y los medios en el acompañamiento y la percepción de las personas solicitantes.

En la segunda parte del episodio, el foco se sitúa en el trabajo de CEAR con personas LGBTIQ+ solicitantes de asilo: los retos legales, el acceso a espacios seguros, las guías sobre credibilidad, el empleo y la inclusión laboral. También compartimos algunas herramientas clave que CEAR ha desarrollado para combatir la discriminación y construir entornos más seguros y justos.

Si quieres profundizar más en los temas tratados, te recomendamos consultar los siguientes informes y guías elaborados por CEAR:

📘 Refugiados LGTB: Huir por Ser, Sentir, Amar
https://www.cear.es/sections-post/refugiados-lgtb/

📗 La Protección Internacional para Personas LGTBI
https://www.cear.es/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Guia_La-proteccion-internacional-para-personas-LGTBI.pdf

📙 Lucha contra la discriminación en el ámbito laboral por razones de orientación sexual e identidad de género
https://www.cear.es/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/informe-discriminacion-empleo-LGBTIQ.pdf

Un episodio imprescindible para entender cómo se vive y se defiende el derecho al asilo en España desde una perspectiva queer y de derechos humanos.

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, Diego sits down with Sebastian Rocca, Founder and CEO of MicroRainbow, to explore the transformative work this organisation is doing with LGBTQI refugees and people seeking asylum.

Sebastian shares how MicroRainbow is committed to creating a world where LGBTQI people are safe from discrimination and persecution while ensuring they have equal opportunities in life.

He discusses how the organisation provides safe housing to LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees, so that they are not placed in environments where they face homophobic or transphobic violence. The conversation also delves intoMicroRainbow’s holistic approach, including its employability programme, which connects LGBTQI refugees with training, education, and job opportunities to ensure long-term independence. Diego and Sebastian reflect on the broader systemic barriers LGBTQI asylum seekers face and the importance of community-led, sustainable models for social change.

Join us for this powerful discussion on how activism, practical support, and policy advocacy intersect to create safer futures for LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees.

🔗 Please visit MicroRainbow’s website: https://microrainbow.org/vision-mission/

📖 Read about MicroRainbow’s impact in2024: https://microrainbow.org/our-impact-in-2024/

🎧 Listen now on Spotify and be sure to subscribe and share if you find the conversation insightful!

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, Diego sits down with David Murphy—a scholar at Lancaster University—to explore the realities facing queer Ugandan asylum seekers. Together, they unpack the concept of solidarity, discussing how best to transform supportive rhetoric into tangible action.

David offers insight into how the United Kingdom’s historical role in introducing anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda continues to inform present-day asylum policies and cultural attitudes. He elaborates on the notion of the UK as a “neo-liberal haven,” considering how this framing impacts both advocacy efforts and the lived experiences of queer Ugandan asylum seekers.

The episode concludes by broadening out to questions of international solidarity. David and Diego discuss the critical importance of centring voices from the Global South, the pitfalls of imposing Western notions of queerness on asylum seekers, and how activists worldwide can better collaborate to challenge oppressive systems.

Join us for this engaging dialogue that not only critiques colonial legacies and state-driven narratives but also envisions a more inclusive and supportive future for those seeking refuge.

Listen now on Spotify, and be sure to subscribe and share if you find the conversation insightful!

In this special episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, we shine a spotlight on the vital work of Time To Be Out, a vital organisation supporting LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum in the UK. We begin by listening to the voices of its members, who share their experiences and perspectives, offering a powerful glimpse into the importance of community and solidarity.

Next, we sit down with William, one of the co-directors of Time To Be Out, to discuss the organisation’s impact, the challenges they face, and how you can support their mission.

This is also our final episode of the year, and we’re thrilled to share updates about the Queer(y)ing Asylum Symposium 2024 and exciting plans for the future, including the symposium’s next edition in October 2025, funded by the Nordic Gender Equality Fund.

Join us to reflect on an inspiring year, and learn how you can help make a difference!

Support Time To Be Out:

👉 Learn more about Time To Be Out: www.timetobeout.org.uk
👉 Donate directly through the Rainbow Lottery: Rainbow Lottery Link
👉 Support through their website: Donate Here

Thank you for tuning in, and see you in 2025! 🎉

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, we are delighted to welcome Sonia Quintero, a Colombian-British poet, activist, and PhD researcher at the University of East London. Sonia has a longstanding commitment to community-led knowledge production and grassroots movements, reflected in her dedication to using poetry and art to uplift LGBTQ+ and marginalised voices. She co-founded Queer Newham and Borderless, two vibrant community initiatives that support LGBTQ+ refugees and promote visibility around LGBTQ+ issues within Newham.

These projects, in collaboration with the London Borough of Newham and local community groups, work actively to address discrimination and hate crime, making a tangible difference in the community.

Sonia’s creative and academic journey is deeply rooted in her advocacy for participatory methodologies, which she uses extensively in her PhD research and community work.

In the episode, she shares insights into her research focus, the role of co-production, and how participatory methods empower marginalised communities. She also talks about her work with Newham Poetry Group, a grassroots initiative she founded seven years ago to bring creative writing to people who speak English as a second or third language and to open spaces for artistic expression within marginalised communities. Through open mics, spoken word events, and even publishing projects, Sonia creates opportunities for connection and empowerment through art.

Finally, Sonia discusses her two newly published poetry collections, Altos y Bajos (Ups and Downs) in both Spanish and English, and where these can be found. Don’t miss Sonia’s compelling perspective on the intersections of poetry, activism, and community, and find more about her work on her LinkedIn profile.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a community leader, poet, and passionate advocate for creative inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights.

We're back with Season 2 of Queer(y)ing Asylum! In this episode, we dive into the topic of Queer South-to-South asylum and migration, focusing on Venezuelan LGBTIQ+ people in Colombia and Brazil. Our guest, Tyler Valiquette, shares his insights into how gender and sexuality shape the migration and asylum decisions of queer Venezuelans, and the unique challenges they face in Brazil and Colombia. Tyler's current research can be found here.

We explore the responses of local organisations and governments to this crisis, compare the humanitarian efforts in both countries, and discuss how queer spaces in urban centres like São Paulo and Bogotá differ from those in border cities such as Cúcuta and Boa Vista.

Tyler also shares his observations on the impact of the Venezuelan election on migration trends and reflects on the hopes for the future among queer Venezuelan refugees in the region.

Tune in for an insightful discussion and stay connected for more episodes this season!

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, we sit down with Mariano Ruiz, President of Derechos Humanos y Diversidad Asociación Civil, to explore the crucial role Argentina plays in welcoming LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum.

Since its launch in February 2023, Mariano’s organisation has offered essential services including immigration advice, healthcare access, psychological support, and more, all within a safe space for LGBTIQ+ individuals.

In this enlightening conversation, Mariano discusses the challenges his organisation and the country face, such as limited resources, and the impact of being part of the Regional Network for LGBTIQ+ Human Mobility LAC. He also shares insights on Argentina’s role as a safe haven for LGBTIQ+ individuals, highlighting both the advantages and the hurdles of resettlement in the Global South.

Don’t miss this episode to learn how community-based organisations contribute to effective refugee resettlement and support. To connect with Mariano and learn more about his impactful work, visit his LinkedIn profile.

Tune in now and join the conversation on bridging horizons for LGBTIQ+ refugees!

Join us in this enlightening episode of the Queer(y)ing Asylum podcast where host Diego Garcia engages with Jamel Buhari, a researcher from the University of Leiden, who explores the intersection of queer identity and the asylum process in the Netherlands.

Jamel discusses his work with archival materials and oral history, and delves into the challenges faced by queer African refugees and people seeking asylum in the Dutch context, including the impact of media and political narratives in shaping public perceptions.

Learn more about Jamel and his research at University of Leiden.

Also, don’t miss the upcoming Second Edition of the Queer(y)ing Asylum Symposium on 8 November at the University of East London. This in-person event promises to offer critical interdisciplinary dialogue, innovative research, and a platform for sharing best practices on LGBTIQ+ asylum issues. Secure your place and find out more about the event here.

In this episode of The Queer(y)ing Asylum Podcast, we delve into the complex and often perilous experiences of trans migrants with our fantastic guest, Alexandra Rodriguez. Alexandra is a gender and sexuality freelance consultant with lived experience of crossing the Mexico-US border, a published author, and a tireless advocate for the human rights of transgender people. Her work spans across Mexico, Spain, and the United States, focusing on trans migrants, trans sex workers, trans elderly, and trans individuals living with HIV.

During our conversation, Alexandra shares her personal journey and the insights she has gained from her advocacy work. We discuss the challenges that trans migrants and people seeking asylum continue to face with a focus on the Mexico-US border. With this, we aim to emphasise the importance of creating safe, regular migration routes to protect vulnerable populations.

We also touch on the upcoming presidential elections in both the USA and Mexico, considering how new leadership might affect migration policies. Alexandra provides an overview of the support services available for queer people seeking asylum after crossing the border, and shares her experiences with these resources.

She also speaks about her book Crucé la Frontera en Tacones (I Crossed the Border in High Heels), which can be purchased online using ⁠this link⁠. The book is her personal testimony, recounting her escape from Mexico across the United States border, where she had to build a new life from scratch. She discusses how she had to assimilate multiple identities, learning that racism, transphobia, exploitation, stereotypes, and violence are everyday realities for undocumented trans people living between both countries. Alexandra's compelling narrative provides a profound insight into the struggles and resilience of trans migrants.

Join us for this enlightening and essential discussion.

Please note, this episode discusses sensitive topics, including rape and suicide. If you are affected by these issues or find them distressing, please consider this trigger warning before continuing.

In this episode, we delve into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey with our amazing guest, Artemis Akbary. Artemis is not only the Founder and Executive Director of the Afghan LGBT Organisation (ALO), but also an esteemed refugee rights advocate and journalist, who himself sought asylum in two different countries. He is also the Producer and Presenter at Radio Ranginkaman, a media platform for Iranian, Afghan and Tajik LGBTQI communities. The station broadcasts programs on digital platforms but also on shortwave radio and via satellite to reach people in rural areas, especially in Iran and Afghanistan, where the internet is restricted or not accessible. Artemis's advocacy extends to high-level settings, including speaking engagements at the EU Parliament and the United Nations.

Throughout our discussion, we examine Artemis's personal journey of seeking asylum in Iran and Turkey, with a particular focus on the latter. We explore the specific challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers in Turkey, including barriers to healthcare, employment, education, and the widespread issue of discrimination. Artemis also sheds light on the vital efforts of his organisation, the Afghan LGBT Organisation, which provides crucial support to those in need.

Listeners interested in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding LGBTIQ+ refugee experiences in Turkey, as well as the plight of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Afghanistan, are encouraged to explore Artemis's extensive advocacy work. Visit Artemis Akbary's profile⁠ to dive deeper into his work, activism, and contributions to the field.