Queer(y)ing Asylum

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, Diego speaks with Georgy from Coming Out, an organisation supporting LGBTIQ+ people from Russia and the wider EECA region.

Coming Out's main goal is to help LGBTQ+ people in Russia and EECA region to live normal, safe, and dignified lives — institutionally and socially. They have been working towards it since 2008.

Together, Diego and Georgy discuss the increasingly hostile legal and political context for LGBTIQ+ people in Russia, including the impact of anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation, the designation of LGBTIQ+ organising as “extremist”, and what this means for people’s everyday lives, safety, community and access to support.

The conversation also explores forced migration and asylum, trauma-informed and queer-affirming care, evidence gathering, and the role of international solidarity. Georgy reflects on how Coming Out supports people at different stages of their journeys, from those still inside Russia to those who have left and are trying to rebuild their lives elsewhere.

This episode is a conversation about risk, care, resistance and hope, and about what it means to support LGBTIQ+ communities in contexts where visibility, solidarity and organising can carry serious consequences.

Relevant links

Coming Out:
https://comingoutspb.org/en/

Human Rights Watch article, “Russia: LGBT Rights Groups Further Criminalized”:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/05/28/russia-lgbt-rights-groups-further-criminalized

Register for the Queer(y)ing Asylum Conference in Madrid, 29 and 30 October:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=as2-rtQxAUuVzoJ0r-hT2TDz_sAKJslMiCtH2lLJqbVUQ1hGQ0lLWkcwT0ZYWEtRODVHVThRSDVGMC4u&route=shorturl

In this episode of the Queer(y)ing Asylum Podcast, Diego speaks with Dr Alex Powell (Associate Professor in Law at Warwick Law School) about his book Queering UK Refugee Law: Sexual Diversity and Asylum Administration and what it reveals about how the UK asylum system recognises, and routinely misrecognises, queer lives.

Together, they explore how contemporary culture-war politics and anti-migrant narratives shape asylum decision-making, influencing who is seen as believable, “grievable”, and deserving of protection. Drawing on Alex's socio-legal research with people seeking asylum, legal practitioners, and third-sector organisations, the conversation examines the everyday realities of credibility assessments: the pressure to fit narrow expectations of sexuality and gender, racialised assumptions about queer identities, and the practical challenges of producing the kinds of evidence decision-makers often expect.

The episode also reflects on practice and change, discussing how lawyers, advocates, and community organisations work within a hostile environment while trying to protect people, and what more just and humane approaches to asylum could look like in policy, legal culture, and public discourse.

Dr Alex Powell’s work sits at the intersections of law, gender, sexuality, and migration, using critical and socio-legal methodologies to challenge dominant understandings of refugee law and asylum administration.

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, Diego is joined by Satrio Nindyo Istiko — Tiko (he/she) — an independent public health social scientist and writer working at the intersections of migration and health. Together, they unpack a core idea that often gets missed in public debates: asylum is not a universal or self-evident route to safety. For many LGBTIQ+ people on the move, “asylum” is something they only learn about after migration, often through peers, informal networks, NGOs, or online spaces, and that timing shapes mental health, risk, and decision-making.

The conversation explores:

• Why the decision to seek asylum is frequently non-linear, delayed, or never taken, even when persecution is present.

• How structural violence, and not just individual trauma, shapes everyday wellbeing and the “choices” people appear to make.

• The role of services and support systems, including how they can unintentionally reinforce narrow ideas of the “ideal” asylum seeker through gatekeeping and narrative expectations.

• What decolonial approaches look like in practice, and how creative/visual methods can shift what counts as knowledge.

• What happens after status, including the tensions of being positioned as a representative or “peer voice”, and what meaningful power-sharing could look like beyond box-ticking representation.

About Tiko

Satrio Nindyo Istiko or Tiko (He/She) is an independent public health social scientist and a writer, working in the intersections of migration and health. Tiko is interested in the politics of migration-health research, sexual health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people on the move, decolonial and participatory methodologies, and storytelling as a tool for public health intervention, teaching, and advocacy. Visit Tiko’s website: https://writtenbytiko.com

Read more (articles mentioned in the episode):

• Satrio Nindyo Istiko, Understanding key priority areas of mental health among queer asylum seekers and refugees in Australia through the lens of structural violence: A modified Delphi method study (Journal of Refugee Studies)
  https://academic.oup.com/jrs/article/37/3/750/7735332

• Satrio Nindyo Istiko, Elite Actors: Understanding Representation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in the Australian Health System Through an Intersectional Lens (Stolen Tools)
  https://stolentools.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/24

• Satrio Nindyo Istiko, Statutory of Declaration (Other Terrain Literary Journal)
  https://www.otherterrainjournal.com.au/genres/non-fiction/statutory-of-declaration/

• Florent Chossière, ‘I knew about political asylum, but not about asylum for gay people’: How queer exiles come to apply (or not) for SOGI asylum in France (Journal of Refugee Studies)
  https://academic.oup.com/jrs/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jrs/feaf003/8020945

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum, Diego speaks with Esteban Octavio Scuzarello about the performance of asylum and the politics of refugee status determination in Latin America, with a focus on Brazil and Mexico.

Drawing on his fieldwork, Esteban explores how asylum claims are shaped by narratives, expectations and power relations between applicants, NGOs and state institutions. He reflects on what it means to “perform” refugee and LGBTIQ+ identities in these settings, and how identity categories often exceed or resist Western-centric labels such as “gay” or “lesbian”.

The conversation also looks at the contradictions within some NGOs, the unevenness of support structures, and the way certain stories get amplified through social media and advocacy. At the same time, Esteban and Diego discuss everyday forms of resistance, community care and solidarity among people seeking asylum themselves pushing back against white saviour narratives and highlighting the emotional and practical labour that happens within communities.

Towards the end, they situate these Latin American realities in a wider global context, including current debates in Europe and the UK about revoking refugee status when countries are deemed “safe” – a designation that rarely captures the ongoing risks faced by LGBTIQ+ people.

About the guest

Esteban Octavio Scuzarello holds a degree in International Studies from Torcuato Di Tella University and a master’s in Transnational Governance, specialising in migration, from the European University Institute (EUI). He is currently a doctoral candidate at the EUI, where his research examines how identity shapes refugee status determination processes in Latin America, with particular attention to Brazil and Mexico.

You can find out more about Esteban’s work here:
https://www.eui.eu/people?id=esteban-scuzarello

🎙️ 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/

📖 Also read Sebastian’s blog “⁠How to Build a Social Enterprise⁠” for more insights into his journey in creating Micro Rainbow

🎧 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!