Pride month: The difficult situation of LGBTQ + refugees in Sweden is highlighted in a new bulletin board campaign
In countries around the world, many queer people live a secret existence for fear of persecution from their families, communities or the state.
For some, the situation becomes so desperate that they are forced to flee to other countries to seek asylum for their own safety.
However, upon arrival, they are often asked by authorities to “prove” that they are LGBTQ +, which begs the question; how do you prove that you are LGBTQ + if you’ve had to hide it all your life?
A new campaign by West Pride, an annual event held in the city of Gothenburg, Swedenaims to highlight the problems posed by this particular issue.
“Letting an arbitrary process determine whether or not LGBTQ + refugees are granted asylum is inhumane,” said Emma Gunterberg Sachs, General Manager of West Pride.
West Pride has teamed up with the design company AKQA to create a sign and social media campaign that highlights the difficult situation for LGBTQ + refugees who are caught in the Swedish immigration system.
Each bulletin board will contain an anonymous refugee and share their story and tell about the journeys of six asylum seekers. Pride month.
“Too many people are wrongly sent back to a life of persecution, imprisonment or death. We must stop this now,” said Gunterberg Sachs.
Are LGBTQ + asylum seekers treated badly in Europe?
When the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights made a report on asylum seekers LGBTQ + 2017, no member state could provide official figures on the number of entries into the country.
Nations that could provide estimates did so through civilian organizations Netherlands estimates between 100 -1000 and Denmark ges 70.
There have been extensive reports of LGBTQ + refugees from the Middle East and West Africa reaching Europe in the hope of a better life, only to be asked about evidence of their sexuality in the tolerant countries they go to for refuge.
West Pride has given its Ambassadors of Pride official roles in an attempt to give legitimacy to their asylum applications. The organizers also work with lawyers to offer them free legal advice.
A petition demanding a fair trial will be submitted to Minister of Migration and Asylum Anders Ygeman on World Refugee Day on 20 June.
“We are fortunate to work with such a courageous organization as West Pride, and hope that this initiative can help both these six and future LGBTQ refugees to stay safely in Sweden,” says AKQA Senior Creative, Sebastian Regfeldt.
“With this idea, we want to highlight how LGBTQ refugees are putting their lives at risk in the asylum process, because they have to prove something they have been forced to hide all their lives.”
The West Pride Festival is held in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a focus on creating safe spaces for the LGBTQI community. In 2022, it will run from 13 to 19 June.