Gay Enough to Stay’: Exposing the Normativity of Western LGBT Terminology in Asylum Processes
Presenter Title/Affiliation
Saarland University
Start Date
21-5-2021 2:00 PM
Event Name
Panel discussion
Panel Number
5
Panel Chair Name
Ben Papadopolous
Zoom URL to Join
https://ciis.zoom.us/j/92667737905
Zoom Meeting ID
926 6773 7905
Abstract
People flee their homes for a multitude of reasons. In the process of claiming asylum, these reasons have to be specified. Over the last years, an increasing number of asylum seekers in Europe have asked for international protection on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). In order to apply for asylum, the asylum seekers are required to give evidence of their SOGI-based persecution which is assessed by the decision-makers reviewing the asylum applications. At disproportional high rates, these claims are met with unfair treatment and are even refused.
Apparently, language problems, malfunctioning communication, and the lack of fitting terminology for taboo topics often contribute to negative asylum decisions. However, homotransphobia, the reliance on stereotypes, and homonationalism on the part of the decision makers also play a crucial role. Over the last years, several cases hit the headlines where asylum applications were rejected because the applicant was deemed either “not gay enough” or even “too gay.” At the same time we can also observe initiatives and efforts with the aim of ensuring a fairer treatment of asylum applicants in the process. A result of such efforts with a particular focus on the linguistic challenges in the asylum process is the ORAM glossary on “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression,” published by the Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration in 2016 in five languages.
In my talk, I will offer an analysis of this glossary from a queer lexicographical perspective to lay bare its strengths and weaknesses. I will show how the entire asylum decision-making process boils down to choosing the “right” terminology and to filling the given signifier with the “right” performance. On a broader scale, I aim to expose the normativity and the influence of Western “LGBT culture” and its terminology on the asylum processes.
Presenter Contact
e.nossem@mx.uni-saarland.de
Gay Enough to Stay’: Exposing the Normativity of Western LGBT Terminology in Asylum Processes
People flee their homes for a multitude of reasons. In the process of claiming asylum, these reasons have to be specified. Over the last years, an increasing number of asylum seekers in Europe have asked for international protection on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). In order to apply for asylum, the asylum seekers are required to give evidence of their SOGI-based persecution which is assessed by the decision-makers reviewing the asylum applications. At disproportional high rates, these claims are met with unfair treatment and are even refused.
Apparently, language problems, malfunctioning communication, and the lack of fitting terminology for taboo topics often contribute to negative asylum decisions. However, homotransphobia, the reliance on stereotypes, and homonationalism on the part of the decision makers also play a crucial role. Over the last years, several cases hit the headlines where asylum applications were rejected because the applicant was deemed either “not gay enough” or even “too gay.” At the same time we can also observe initiatives and efforts with the aim of ensuring a fairer treatment of asylum applicants in the process. A result of such efforts with a particular focus on the linguistic challenges in the asylum process is the ORAM glossary on “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression,” published by the Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration in 2016 in five languages.
In my talk, I will offer an analysis of this glossary from a queer lexicographical perspective to lay bare its strengths and weaknesses. I will show how the entire asylum decision-making process boils down to choosing the “right” terminology and to filling the given signifier with the “right” performance. On a broader scale, I aim to expose the normativity and the influence of Western “LGBT culture” and its terminology on the asylum processes.
https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/lavlang/2021/friday/5
