Envisioning Canadian Research Team: Context and Emerging Themes

1. Envisioning Canadian Research Team: Context and Emerging Themes Erika Gates-Gasse, Senior Policy and Research Coordinator, OCASI Kathleen Gamble, PhD Candidate, York University

2. Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights Research Project • International CBR initiative based at York University • Researching the criminalization of LGBT peoples in Commonwealth nations • British colonial legacy: ¾ Commonwealth nations continue to criminalize homosexuality • International teams, legal team, Canadian team • Envisioning website: www.envisioninglgbt.com

3. The Canadian research is focusing on a number of issues, including: • Emerging trends and root causes of forced migration for LGBT people; • Experiences and obstacles for LGBT asylum seekers in navigating the refugee claims process and accessing services; • How and to what extent their needs are being met by agencies and services; • and given the timing with the implementation of Bill C-31, how these legislative changes are impacting LGBT asylum seekers.

4. Methodological Approaches:Intersectionalty • Intersectionality: seeks to examine how—various biological, social and cultural categories such as gender, race, class, ability, sexual orientation, species, and other axes of identity interact on multiple and often simultaneous levels, contributing to systematic injustice and social inequality. • Theoretical framework of the project and has been an important tool/strategy in reading and interpreting the data.

5. Understanding ‘Sexuality’ • Sexuality: is socially constructed, not natural i.e. our identity and roles are shaped by our histories and cultures and therefore change over time and place. Sexual difference is created within human interaction, within social relations of power (i.e. not natural/universal). • Ideas about sexuality are naturalized (i.e. socially constructed to the point that they seem as if they are natural/given) and are imprinted on the body, • Particular lens of analysis that considers intersections with race, class, gender, and ability etc.

6. Heterosexism • Similar to concept of racism in that both ideas promote privilege for dominant groups within a given society. The analogy is that just as racism against non-white people places white people as superior to non-whites, heterosexism places heterosexual people or relationships as superior to non-heterosexual ones. • Heteronormativity: the practices and institutions “that legitimize and privilege heterosexuality and heterosexual relationships as fundamental and ‘natural’ within society” [Cohen, 234].

7. Heterosexism vs. Homophobia • An important difference between two concepts. • Heterosexism focuses on institutions and practices that privilege heterosexuality (more invisible and structural). • Homophobia focuses on actions and actions of hate, violence based on problematic assumptions and stereotypes of sexuality and sexual practices. • Important to think about how the two work together but are still distinct concepts. • Heterosexism and its relationship to the nation-state is important to this project as well.

8. Identities • How LGBTQ+ identities are created and reinforced thorough the refugee process. • How people chose to identify and what identities are available here for them to chosen from (Gatekeeping). • Intersectionality and Identities (cultures play into how you identify as queer).

9. Racialization • What does it mean to identify as a refugee, LGBTQ+, and visible minority? • How do ideas about sexuality link to ideas about ‘race’ and ‘culture’? • What does this mean for community development or inclusion?

10. Service Access Barriers / Challenges • not enough LGBT specific services, many general settlement services not willing to address homophobia, refer to LGBT specific rather than deal • established connections, already know people in Canada vs those who don’t • knowledge of what’s available, help navigating the system: • port of entry vs inland claims

11. Service Access Barriers / Challenges • access to LGBT knowledgeable lawyers -> legal aid, general list • mental health – long wait lists for access to counseling • housing – because of shortened timelines, staying in shelters longer while dealing with claim • safety and security

12. Safety and Security • housing – lack of affordable housing, having to hide identity, or relying on generosity of others & possible exploitation • no knowledge of where to go, information on what’s available • having to rely on strangers • social media & outing to family and friends • detention

13. Safety and Security • dealing with government officials, police • coming out to CBSA border guards • cultural communities and homophobia

14. Next Steps in Research • Finishing Focus Groups and Interviews • Continuing Data Analysis with Community Partners • Developing Recommendations • Developing KM tools and resources for Service Providers • Writing Final Report and papers • Disseminating Information

15. Contact Information • Community Chair: Erika Gates-Gasseegates@ocasi.org • Academic Chair: Nick Mule nickmule@Yorku.ca • PI: Nancy Nichols nnichols@Yorku.ca • www.envisioninglgbt.com Thank you!