Imagine in your home country you are not accepted for who you are. You live in fear and therefore you are seeking asylum in a country where you are protected against discrimination and violence. You are looking for a country where people will accept you for who you are, no matter your sexuality or how you identify. Seeking asylum is strenuous, even more so when it involves proving your sexuality and being resettled in a country where only 3 months ago homosexuality was decriminalised. You were seeking Asylum in Australia, yet now you are living on Nauru.

What really happens to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Queer (LGBTIQ) refugees when they seek asylum in Australia? Canberra’s Rainbow Refugee Action Committee (Rainbow RAC) presents several speakers who will shine the light on the experiences of LGBTIQ refugees on Nauru and in Australia.

Our first speakers will provide insight into the experience of LGBTIQ refugees by sharing their conversations with two gay men on Nauru. Found to be refugees, they have been resettled on Nauru but face daily discrimination and little acceptance from the population. Two members of Rainbow RAC will share some of the difficulties they face and how we are trying to support them.

Our guest speaker Marion Le is a migration lawyer and refugee advocate. For many years she’s assisted many LGBTIQ refugees who are claiming asylum. Marion will highlight the particular legal and policy challenges faced when negotiating the Australian legal system.

16West is an inclusive social meeting space for LGBTIQ folk and their friends and proudly celebrates equality, support, individuality and freedom. Join us from 6pm to 8pm to discover the LGBTIQ experience of seeking asylum and feel free to stay for some light-hearted Karaoke afterwards. Find out more on the Facebook event page.

http://refugeeaction.org/