Queer(y)ing Asylum

In this episode of the Queer(y)ing Asylum Podcast, Diego speaks with Dr Alex Powell (Associate Professor in Law at Warwick Law School) about his book Queering UK Refugee Law: Sexual Diversity and Asylum Administration and what it reveals about how the UK asylum system recognises, and routinely misrecognises, queer lives. Together, they explore how contemporary culture-war politics and anti-migrant...

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , Diego is joined by Satrio Nindyo Istiko — Tiko (he/she) — an independent public health social scientist and writer working at the intersections of migration and health. Together, they unpack a core idea that often gets missed in public debates: asylum is not a universal or self-evident route to safety. For many LGBTIQ+ people on the move, “asylum” is somethi...

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , Diego speaks with Esteban Octavio Scuzarello about the performance of asylum and the politics of refugee status determination in Latin America, with a focus on Brazil and Mexico. Drawing on his fieldwork, Esteban explores how asylum claims are shaped by narratives, expectations and power relations between applicants, NGOs and state institutions. He reflects...

🎙️ Este episodio es en español / This episode is in Spanish En este episodio, nos adentramos en el contexto español para hablar sobre el sistema de asilo y los desafíos específicos que enfrentan las personas LGBTIQ+ que buscan protección internacional. Diego conversa con Martín Butta , de la Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado (CEAR) , sobre cómo ha evolucionado el sistema de asilo en España,...

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , Diego sits down with Sebastian Rocca, Founder and CEO of MicroRainbow, to explore the transformative work this organisation is doing with LGBTQI refugees and people seeking asylum.   Sebastian shares how MicroRainbow is committed to creating a world where LGBTQI people are safe from discrimination and persecution while ensuring they have equal opportunities...

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , Diego sits down with David Murphy—a scholar at Lancaster University—to explore the realities facing queer Ugandan asylum seekers. Together, they unpack the concept of solidarity, discussing how best to transform supportive rhetoric into tangible action. David offers insight into how the United Kingdom’s historical role in introducing anti-homosexuality legis...

In this special episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , we shine a spotlight on the vital work of Time To Be Out , a vital organisation supporting LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum in the UK. We begin by listening to the voices of its members, who share their experiences and perspectives, offering a powerful glimpse into the importance of community and solidarity. Next, we sit down with William, one of the co...

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , we are delighted to welcome Sonia Quintero , a Colombian-British poet, activist, and PhD researcher at the University of East London. Sonia has a longstanding commitment to community-led knowledge production and grassroots movements, reflected in her dedication to using poetry and art to uplift LGBTQ+ and marginalised voices. She co-founded Queer Newham and...

We're back with Season 2 of Queer(y)ing Asylum ! In this episode, we dive into the topic of Queer South-to-South asylum and migration, focusing on Venezuelan LGBTIQ+ people in Colombia and Brazil. Our guest, Tyler Valiquette, shares his insights into how gender and sexuality shape the migration and asylum decisions of queer Venezuelans, and the unique challenges they face in Brazil and Colombia. T...

In this episode of Queer(y)ing Asylum , we sit down with Mariano Ruiz, President of Derechos Humanos y Diversidad Asociación Civil , to explore the crucial role Argentina plays in welcoming LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum. Since its launch in February 2023, Mariano’s organisation has offered essential services including immigration advice, healthcare access, psychological support, and m...

Join us in this enlightening episode of the Queer(y)ing Asylum podcast where host Diego Garcia engages with Jamel Buhari, a researcher from the University of Leiden, who explores the intersection of queer identity and the asylum process in the Netherlands. Jamel discusses his work with archival materials and oral history, and delves into the challenges faced by queer African refugees and people se...

In this episode of The Queer(y)ing Asylum Podcast, we delve into the complex and often perilous experiences of trans migrants with our fantastic guest, Alexandra Rodriguez. Alexandra is a gender and sexuality freelance consultant with lived experience of crossing the Mexico-US border, a published author, and a tireless advocate for the human rights of transgender people. Her work spans across Mexi...

Please note, this episode discusses sensitive topics, including rape and suicide. If you are affected by these issues or find them distressing, please consider this trigger warning before continuing. In this episode, we delve into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey with our amazing guest, Artemis Akbary. Artemis is not only the Founder and Executive Director of the Af...

En este episodio, exploramos el trabajo conjunto de Cristina Yépez Arroyo y Flavio Carrera Verdesoto , expertos en las intersecciones entre género, sexualidad y asilo en contextos de migración y criminalización en Ecuador y el espacio latinoamericano. Flavio Carrera Verdesoto es investigador asociado del Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Desigualdades (IEAD - USFQ). Tiene un Master of Science en...

In this compelling episode, we discuss the experiences of LGBTIQ+ refugees in Denmark and Germany with our brilliant guest, Rieke Schröder, a third-year PhD candidate at Aalborg University, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Rieke shares profound insights from her research, focusing on the challenges and temporalities faced by LGBTIQ+ refugees beyond the asylum regime in these countries. Throughout the...

In this insightful episode, we explore the intricate issues surrounding asylum in Lebanon. We speak with experts Jasmin Lilian Diab and Bechara Samneh, who provide an in-depth analysis of the multifaceted challenges encountered by LGBTIQ+ refugees. Lebanon, as highlighted in the episode, is at the forefront of the global refugee crisis, hosting the highest number of refugees per capita and per squ...

This episode is presented in Spanish. Why not take this opportunity to learn a new language? En este episodio, acompañamos a René A. Tec-López , une prestigiose investigadore de México, país que se presenta como un lugar de destino, tránsito y salida para solicitantes de asilo y refugiades. René es investigadore en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) y trabaja en Oram, una asociación...

In today's episode, we are honored to welcome Layla as we delve into the intricate and often daunting asylum process. Layla shares her firsthand experience, focusing on the critical stages of the screening and the substantive interview. These are pivotal moments for people seeking asylum, where they must navigate complex procedures and articulate their need for protection compellingly and cohe...

Today’s theme will be exploring the emergence of LGBTIQ+ CSOs and NGOs created by LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum themselves by focusing on the founding of Spectrum Rainbow, an NGO by and for LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum. I’m Diego Garcia, and in this episode, we'll dive into how this organisation came to be, its impact, and what it represents for the community. Joining us is Jason...