LGBT+ Asylum
How to claim asylum on LGBT+ grounds in the UK: your rights, the process on SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) grounds, evidence, support and safety.
You don't have to hide who you are
The key ruling for LGBT+ asylum in the UK is HJ (Iran) and HT (Cameroon) v Home Office [2010] UKSC 31 (UK Supreme Court).
The Court held: asylum cannot be refused on the basis that a person «could be discreet» and conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity to avoid persecution. The right to be yourself is protected — no one must hide for the sake of safety.
In practice the court considers:
Whether the person is LGBT+ — or would be perceived as such back home.
Whether people who live openly face persecution in that country.
How the person would actually behave on return.
If they would conceal — why. If a material reason is fear of persecution, the claim must succeed.
🗂️ Screening (first interview)
You can say that you are claiming asylum due to persecution based on your sexual orientation or gender identity. You don't need to give all the details — just briefly state the reason. You will explain the details at the substantive interview.
📄 Witness statement (personal statement)
This is your main document. It should be detailed and chronological. Describe:
When you realised your orientation/identity
Your relationships — how they developed, with whom
Impact on your life in your country of origin
Persecution or threats you experienced
Why you cannot return
Life in the UK — relationships, participation in the LGBT+ community
📎 What evidence can you provide
Your personal testimony (witness statement) is the most important evidence.
Also accepted: statements from friends, partners, acquaintances confirming your orientation; country of origin information reports; letters from LGBT+ organisations; medical or psychological reports (if applicable).
🎤 How it works
The substantive interview is the main interview where you tell your story in detail. It usually lasts 3-6 hours. You will be questioned by a Home Office interviewer through an interpreter.
✅ Your rights at the interview
✓ Right to an interpreter of the same gender
✓ Right to request an interviewer of the same gender
✓ Right to bring a support person (lawyer, friend, organisation representative)
✓ Right to breaks during the interview
✓ Right to answer at your own pace — don't rush
💬 Typical questions
— When did you realise your orientation/identity?
— Have you had relationships? Tell us about them.
— Did your family know? How did they react?
— What happened / what happened to you in your country of origin?
— Why can't you return?
— What would happen if you returned?
— How do you live in the UK? Do you participate in the LGBT+ community?
🌈 Rainbow Migration
Free legal help, lawyer directory (find-a-lawyer), Women's Support Group. Help with case preparation and witness statements.
Tel: 0203 752 5801 | Email: hello@rainbowmigration.org.uk
Address: 7-14 Great Dover St, London SE1 4YR (by appointment)
🏠 Micro Rainbow
21 safe houses in London, North West England and West Midlands. ~40,000 bed-nights per year. Safe housing specifically for LGBT+ refugees.
Email: housing@microrainbow.org
Tel: 0800 3585851 (Mon-Fri 2pm-5pm) | 0800 3585852 (Tue-Thu 2pm-5pm)
💜 LGBT Foundation
UK national LGBT+ charity — helpline, refugee resources, support for health and mental wellbeing.
Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30 (Mon-Fri 9:00-21:00)
Go to lgbt.foundation →🛡️ Galop
Hate crime, domestic violence, sexual violence — support for LGBT+ people.
Tel: 0800 999 5428 (Mon-Fri 9:15am-8pm, break 1pm-2pm, Wed/Thu closes 4:30pm)
🏳️🌈 Stonewall Housing
Housing advice for LGBT+ people.
Tel: 0800 6 404 404 (weekdays 10am-1pm) | Live chat: Mon-Fri 2pm-5pm
🏠 Micro Rainbow — safe houses
Micro Rainbow operates 21 safe houses in London, North West England and West Midlands. Average stay is approximately 7 months. This is safe housing specifically for LGBT+ refugees where you can be yourself.
Email: housing@microrainbow.org
Tel: 0800 3585851 (Mon-Fri 2pm-5pm) | 0800 3585852 (Tue-Thu 2pm-5pm)
🏡 Other housing options
✓ Stonewall Housing — advice line: 0800 6 404 404
✓ The Outside Project — LGBTQI+ friendly hostel
✓ Refugees at Home — matching with a host for accommodation
⚠️ If you feel unsafe
File a complaint with Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503
Request a relocation on safety grounds
Contact Rainbow Migration or Micro Rainbow for support
If there is a threat of violence — call the police 999
🔒 Protection of your information
The Home Office is required to keep your information confidential.
✓ Information about your orientation/identity is not shared with your country of origin
✓ The Home Office does not notify the authorities in your country about your application
✓ You have the right not to disclose your orientation to housemates
✓ Your case is handled confidentially
🚨 What to do in case of harassment
Emergency (threat to life): call 999
Non-emergency: call 101 or report online
Galop (LGBT+ violence and hate crime): 0800 999 5428 (Mon-Fri 9:15am-8pm, break 1pm-2pm, Wed/Thu closes 4:30pm)
Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503
Record all incidents: dates, times, what happened, who was present.
💍 Marriage and civil partnership
In the United Kingdom, same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are fully legal.
✓ Register a marriage with a partner of any gender
✓ Register a civil partnership
✓ To register, contact your local Register Office
🏳️⚧️ Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
If you are a transgender person, you can obtain a GRC to officially change the gender on your documents:
✓ Cost: £5
✓ Processing time: ~22 weeks
✓ Surgery is NOT required
✓ Required: 2 medical reports + evidence of living in your acquired gender for at least 2 years
Details on GOV.UK →🤝 Support groups
Your evidence and context depend on the country: laws, persecution, case law, and what evidence to gather. Country guides for LGBTQ+ cases:
Country not listed? See the full COI library and the general asylum for Russians guide.