Unequal in Exile: Gender Equality, Sexual Identity and Refugee Status

Abstract

'Gender equality' has become a mantra of the international humanitarian community. Organisations from United Nations entities to non-governmental and civil society groups are tasked with promoting gender equality in their policies and programmes. The rhetoric and guidance developed, however, continue to exclude gender in its broadest sense, for the dialogue, inclusive of LGBT persons. This is particularly problematic when assisting LGBT refugees - who both flee persecution because of their sexual orientation and face continued security threats in their countries of asylum for the same reason. Protection of these individuals and achieving a more gender equal world cannot be accomplished without a more inclusive definition and promoting gender equality for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.