How has queer migration been treated in Europe?

Queer migration can be defined as any migration done by queer people, no matter the reason. For others, the motivation of immigrating must be related to the migrant’s sexual orientation. Moreover, queer migration is motivated by an emotional reasoning in contrast with the usual economic motivation which is often expected from any type of migration. It is therefore needed to be differently welcomed by the host countries who might be facing queer migration, and especially in western Europe as it appears to be a preferred region of the world for moving. Indeed, this part of the world often shines as openminded and welcoming for LGBTQ+ who hear stories and wonders linked to it.

Moving away from home enables those who are not yet out of the closet to fully discover their sexuality and desires without the fear to be reported or judged. It also helps them to overstep limits put by their home country as they can meet other queer people at bars or clubs, and that influences them to choose cities in which this can come to a realization. The decision of moving can be chosen for love as well. If one wants to follow their same-gender partner, then comes with that the desire to move into countries that offer the legislation which provides access to a more comprehensive range of sexual citizenship rights, such as same-sex marriage or anti-discrimination legislation. For an asylum seeker to be accepted as a refugee, it must be proven that staying in his home country demonstrates a “well-founded fear of being persecuted”.

So, for certain countries like Germany, sexual identity is inherent to a person and is irreversible, it is then fundamental that no one should be forced to renounce it. However, for some other European countries, it might be controversial. Indeed, as the United Kingdom has demonstrated it in 2010, persecutions in home countries happen only if a queer person shows who they are, so they should exercise discretion about their sexual identity accordingly. European states were allowed to turn down applications since they can expect them to be discreet in expressing their sexuality as it is the accepted norm in their home countries. Expectations which will never be met as it is just a way of asking them to conceal their queerness. Since then, the 2012 UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection claims that “asylum seekers cannot be denied refugee status based on a requirement that they change or conceal their identity, opinions or characteristics in order to avoid persecution”. This puts finally back heterosexual people, to whom it would have never been asked such process, and queer people on the same level.