Wanted: A non-violent place to live

They fled oppression and persecution. Once they arrive in Germany, many LGBTI* refugees experience homophobia or transphobia again; they are exposed to racism and have to struggle with difficult access to medical care and housing. This makes sensitive services all the more important.

When Ahmed Awadalla came to Germany, he had to start all over again. "I had no connections at all," he says. Due to his political work, however, it had become too dangerous for him in Egypt. "I didn't really want to leave the country, but the risk was simply too great."

Critics of the regime, as well as lesbian, gay, trans* and inter* people (LGBTI*), have been subject to greater repression in Egypt for several years, he says. "Although there is no law that criminalizes homosexuality." Instead, legal decrees against prostitution are used, for example, to arrest men on the street who have arranged to meet via dating apps.

"I didn't really want to leave Egypt, but the risk became too great"

Ahmed Awadalla has been living in Germany since 2014. The pharmaceutical scientist had already worked on HIV in his home country. In Germany, he began volunteering with the Berlin AIDS service organization. He has been employed there since the beginning of 2016 and primarily advises Arabic-speaking migrants.

Fear of coming out

He says it is difficult for LGBTI* refugees to find their way between the various contact points. "There is no one organization that can help you."

A key question is where you can and cannot come out, explains Masha Beketova, who works at Lesbenberatung Berlin. As part of the anti-violence and anti-discrimination area LesMigraS, it offers legal advice and trauma-sensitive psychosocial counseling for refugees, among other things.

Many people in the counseling sessions are unsure where and with whom they can talk about their sexual orientation or gender identity, she says. One fear is that they could be outed in their accommodation if they disclose their homosexuality to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

LGBTI* refugees are considered particularly vulnerable. the EU stipulated this in 2013, but it is not implemented everywhere. Ahmed Awadalla, who regularly accompanies asylum seekers to appointments at the BAMF, explains that anyone applying for asylum due to persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity has to prove this during the interview at the BAMF. However, this is unrealistic in most cases. An attack by the police, for example, is almost impossible to prove.

LGBTI* refugees are confronted with intimate questions

"The interviewers at the BAMF often have no idea what it means to live as a homosexual or trans* person," says Awadalla. He has the feeling that the hearings have become more intense and longer in the last three years - up to six hours or spread over several days. The questions often intrude into the privacy of the applicants, he criticizes. This is extremely problematic for traumatized people who have experienced violence. Especially when they become entangled in inconsistencies and contradictions due to gaps in their memory.

"We have already had cases where people had severe stress reactions during the interview and needed medical help," says Antje Sanogo, head of a shelter for queer refugees in Berlin-Treptow. It is known that some interpreters are not particularly LGBTI*-sensitive. In theory, the interviewees have the right to insist on another person, but enforcing this is usually illusory in this tense situation, says Antje Sanogo. "We see a relatively high number of recognitions, but we also see rejections," she says, recounting her experiences with asylum applications from LGBTI* refugees.

"Queer and underage refugees are a very vulnerable group"

Ahmed Awadalla uses his language skills and professional background for his work at Aidshilfe. He organizes workshops for unaccompanied refugee minors and visits welcome classes. His discussions with young people focus on topics such as sexual health, relationships, gender norms, HIV and Aids. "Queer and underage refugees are a very vulnerable group," emphasizes Awadalla. Fortunately, many associations are now becoming more aware of the issue and the cultural diversity of their employees is also increasing.

Barriers to medical care

HIV is still a taboo subject for many LGBTI* refugees, says Antje Sanogo. Some fear that it could have a negative impact on their asylum application if they talk about their infection during the interview. However, a chronic illness that may not be treatable in their country of origin is also a reason for fleeing.

"They can't go to the doctor unaccompanied"

Access to medical care can be difficult for HIV-positive refugees, says Ahmed Awadallah. Although insurance benefits actually cover HIV treatment for asylum seekers, language barriers are a major obstacle. "They can't go to the doctor without an escort."

Antje Sanogo criticizes the fact that there is no regular funding for language mediation in medical care. This is a major problem, especially in psychotherapeutic and psychiatric treatment, which many LGBTI* refugees rely on. Although there are therapists who are willing to provide treatment, the few funding options remain very bureaucratic and tend to deter them. "That's a scandal," she emphasizes.

Another challenge is access to hormone treatment for trans* people, says Ahmed Awadalla. It is not so easy for asylum seekers, as such treatments are not generally considered vital. "It is not always possible to continue the transition process started in their home country here."

Life in the shelters is also particularly difficult for trans* people. "It's a paradox: they flee because they are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or their transgender identity, and then encounter discrimination structures again here in the shelters," says Antje Sanogo.

A shelter for LGBTI* refugees

In February 2016, Schwulenberatung opened the queer accommodation in Berlin-Treptow. it has 122 places available, 33 of which are in the initial reception area. "The demand is quite high," says Antje Sanogo. On average, one new person arrives every week. "If it worked so that people only had to stay in the accommodation for three to five months, there would be enough places." However, it is extremely difficult for refugees to find an apartment in Berlin or other large cities. Schwulenberatung Berlin is therefore planning to integrate queer refugees more into existing housing projects.

For LGBTI* refugees, being able to find accommodation in Treptow, where they are better protected from discrimination and hostility, is a great step forward. But Antje Sanogo emphasizes: "It is still refugee accommodation." This means that four to five people live together in the apartments, two in each room. In some cases, the connecting rooms are not even separated by doors. You can tell that this apartment building was planned for families or couples, not for refugees.

"Not every gay man is trans*-friendly per se"

Staff at other facilities are now also more aware of who might be in good hands at the queer accommodation. "That's working better and better," says Antje Sanogo. She believes that the very existence of the queer accommodation has contributed to greater awareness.

However, as in other shelters, conflicts also arise in Treptow - simply due to the lack of space. LGBTI* people are a heterogeneous group. "Not every gay man is trans*-friendly per se," says Antje Sanogo. HIV is also a discriminatory issue. Some residents are afraid to talk about their infection. They are not accused of such explicitly immoral behavior as they have experienced in other shelters. But: "There is already an avoidance behavior." However, Antje Sanogo also says: "Despite all the problems, the residents have a strong desire for a place where they can live without violence. That is a consensus that can be built on."

Like the manager of the shelter, Masha Beketova from LesMigraS would also like to see the authorities and mediators become more aware of the issue. It would make sense to include the experiences of refugees. "There is already a lot of knowledge in the communities that you can draw on."

By Inga Dreyer

Further information:

At www.queerrefugeeswelcome.de, LGBTI* refugees can find information (in German, English and Arabic) on the German healthcare system, German asylum law, HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases, safer sex and discrimination, as well as a map of advice centers.