As a masters graduate student of social work, whose research focused on the experiences of gay-identified convention refugees, I have obtained an understanding of various challenges claimants face. I would make the following recommendations, based on my research and the narratives of the five participants.
First, ensure substantial LGBT competence training for immigration lawyers and officials. Hearing things like “but you don't look gay” is commonplace for claimants. Their journey to safety in Canada begins with doubt and disbelief, and we need to start from a place of trust. It is imperative that the way one looks is not a factor in one's credibility as LGBT. As it stands today, claimants are still required and encouraged to perform gayness in ways that may not feel authentic in order to appeal to stereotypes that are entrenched in the refugee apparatus. Passing as straight was a strategy for survival in their home countries, and expecting stereotypical mannerisms here is expecting falsity. In an atmosphere where credibility is constantly questioned, we should not create a situation where we demand that claimants are acting anything other than authentically themselves.
Second, reconsider asking claimants the question “when did you realize you were LGB or T?” This question assumes a clearly defined moment of realization in one's life. It is not something that can be easily answered and was distressing to some claimants. At times, claimants were made to choose an age arbitrarily in order to make a clear narrative. This speaks to a dissonance between claimants' authentic stories and the requirement to match lawyers' and adjudicators' understandings of LGBT lives.
Third, allow explicit mention of sexual orientation and gender identity as reason for protection as opposed to including SOGI peoples in the category of a particular social group. Explicit mention further legitimates these claims and moves toward greater inclusion and acknowledgement of this vulnerable group.