Global report investigates lack of support for gender, sexual minorities among migrants  

Image: Alexander Grey I Pexels

State governments, humanitarian groups, and rights defenders are rallying to support migrants with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. However, research is lagging behind, mainly focused on asylum seekers in Europe and North America, overlooking the broader migrant community.

Samuel Hall, in collaboration with IOM - UN Migration, conducted a study in the Asia-Pacific region, European Economic Area, MENA, South America, and West and Central Africa, to support the development of inclusive measures for migrants who are gender or sexuality atypical, so they can benefit from protection programming across their migration journey, as well as in return and reintegration.

The results are clear: Gender and sexual minority migrants have unique and crucial protection needs. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge, services, and appropriate responses for these migrants, partly because of stereotyped expectations about their lifestyles and behaviours. The study also indicates that transgender people are the most vulnerable across different stages of the migration cycle.

It is important to note that this is not a homogenous group. As a result, stakeholder programmes should add nuance to their programmes and activities, and locally contextualise them.

Through this report, IOM is pushing for inclusive shelters, accessible healthcare, and protection procedures to ensure that no one gets left behind. They are also encouraging good practises like partnerships between international organisations, local municipalities, and civil society groups to be scaled up to ensure support and care for the community.