Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights is an international community-academic partnership that seeks to address the intersections between criminalization, colonialism, sexuality and gender. OCASI is an active research participant in the Envisioning project and is the Community Chair of the Canadian research team.
Visit the project's website at www.envisioninglgbt.com
In 2013, homosexual acts are still criminalized in 78 countries, and punishable by death in five and parts of two others.
Homosexuality continues to be criminalized in 77% of Commonwealth nations, as a result of laws created by British colonization. However, there is growing resistance to the laws in a number of countries. For example, in 2009, a historic High Court decision in Delhi, India, struck down Section 377 of the Penal Code which criminalized homosexual intercourse.
Within this context, Envisioning brings together an international, interdisciplinary team to research, document and analyze four inter-related areas of lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) human rights:
- laws that criminalize people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, focusing on the Commonwealth;
- issues affecting LGBT people seeking asylum in Canada;
- contemporary movements to remove laws that criminalize people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, focusing on selected countries of the Commonwealth; and
- the interaction between International Treaty Body Human Rights Mechanisms and LGBT rights initiatives focusing on the UN.
Our research goals are to foster an integrated approach across the research partnership, to capture the interconnections of criminalization, violence and oppression, flight from persecution, and resilience and resistance in the face of human rights violations.
Information Sheets
Information Sheet: Making an LGBTI Refugee Protection Claim in Canada
This information sheet contains information and resources on what is involved in making a refugee protection claim in Canada, geared specifically toward LGBTI persons. The primary audience are individuals who are considering seeking asylum in Canada due to persecution, violence or threats because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI), or because others perceive them to be.
Download PDF Information Sheet Here
Information Sheet: Mental Health Challenges for LGBT Asylum Seekers in Canada
This information sheet contains a survey of common stressors and resulting mental health challenges encountered by LGBT asylum seekers in Canada. It is based on research data gathered by Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights in India, Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada as well as a broader literature review. The primary audience for this information sheet are service providers who work with this population.
Download PDF Information Sheet Here
Information Sheet: Lesbian and Gay Refugee Issues: A Review of Federal Court Jurisprudence
This information sheet contains an outline of Canadian Federal Court appeal decisions over the past 10 years that have overturned rejections of lesbian and gay asylum claims. Challenges unique to these asylum seekers are analyzed. (Note: Claims based on bisexuality or gender identity are not covered here, since the jurisprudence is different and specific treatment is necessary.) This information sheet may provide guidance for adjudicators of lesbian and gay claims seeking to ensure that their decisions avoid or survive judicial review. It may also act as a reference for asylum seekers and counsel in preparing gay and lesbian claims.
Download PDF Information Sheet Here
Reports
[New Report] Envisioning LGBT Refugee Rights in Canada: Is Canada a Safe Haven?
Canada Research Team of Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights, September 2015.
The final report from the Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights research project, released on September 29, 2015 looks at the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) asylum seekers living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and the experiences of community service providers. The report offers 37 recommendations for improving policies and services.
For the research, eight community partners organized focus groups with 92 asylum seekers, and service provider focus groups were also held. The research was conducted in 2012-2014, a time of significant change in Canada’s immigration and refugee system.
Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights is an international community-academic partnership that seeks to address the intersections between criminalization, colonialism, sexuality and gender. OCASI is a partner in the Envisioning project.
Download PDF Report Here
Download PDF Executive Summary Here
Envisioning LGBT Refugee Rights in Canada: The Impact of Canada's New Immigration Regime
By Rohan Sajnani, June 2014
This report examines the impact on LGBT asylum seekers in Canada of federal Bill C-31 (December 2012) and the resultingProtecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, as well as other recent changes. It explores Canada’s international obligations, Canadian LGBT refugee jurisprudence, stereotyping, credibility assessment, resettlement, refugee health care and concludes with recommendations.
Download PDF Report Here
Download PDF Executive Summary Here
Envisioning LGBT Refugee Rights in Canada: Exploring Asylum Issues
By Nick J. Mulé and Erika Gates-Gasse, June 2012
The report is based on a Round Table Dialogue in Toronto with members of 14 organizations, as well as two conference presentations by Envisioning. It provides a preliminary overview of issues for LGBT asylum seekers, including: their experiences and obstacles; ways that service providers are trying to meet their needs; service gaps; and the impact of current legal changes, especially Bill C-31. Envisioning convened the Round Table to seek input from service providers to shape the continuing research and to reach out to refugees and asylum seekers for interviews. The report is intended for use by the sector, especially in working with policy makers and decision makers.
For more information about OCASI’s participation in Envisioning, contact Alexander Vadala, Senior Policy and Research Coordinator at avadala@ocasi.org.