Ella Anthony, a Nigerian woman, escaped an abusive forced marriage and the threat of imprisonment due to her sexual orientation and fled to Italy with her partner, Doris Ezuruike Chinonso, in 2014. They sought asylum based on a well-founded fear of anti-LGBTQ persecution in their home country. While many migrants to Italy are escaping war and poverty, an increasing number are fleeing persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Anthony and Chinonso have encountered challenges in Italy, but overall, they feel that life in Italy is much better than in Nigeria, where being gay can lead to imprisonment or death.
The number of migrants seeking refugee protection based on anti-LGBTQ persecution is on the rise, especially in countries where laws against homosexuality are becoming stricter. Organizations like Rainbow Railroad are seeing a growing number of requests for assistance from LGBTQ+ people looking for asylum. In Nigeria, consensual same-sex relationships are criminalized, and those who are openly LGBTQ+ face the threat of imprisonment or even death. The threat of being turned in to the police by her own family prompted Anthony to leave Nigeria and seek asylum in Europe.
Asylum seekers who identify as LGBTQ+ face challenges in the asylum process due to privacy concerns, social taboos, and a lack of understanding among asylum interviewers about anti-gay laws in the migrants’ countries of origin. The process of proving a well-founded fear of persecution based on sexual orientation is complex and not always successful. There is no comprehensive data on the number of LGBTQ+ migrants seeking asylum in the EU, but estimates suggest that the numbers vary widely by country.
Special protections are granted for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in the EU, but the implementation of these protections varies across countries. In Italy, there is a lack of specialized services for LGBTQ+ migrants, with only 10 beds specifically designated for them in Rome. Female migrants, especially lesbians, face additional challenges such as lack of family support and economic opportunities, which can lead to exploitation. Anthony and Chinonso, however, consider themselves fortunate to have found asylum in Italy and are grateful for the opportunity it has provided them to build a life together.
Despite the challenges they have faced, Anthony and Chinonso are building a life in Italy where they live with their dog and dream of starting a family. Chinonso is now a social and health worker, while Anthony works at a supermarket. They feel that Italy has given them a chance to grow and live freely as a couple, even though they are not able to legally marry. While the road to asylum for LGBTQ+ migrants is fraught with obstacles, Anthony and Chinonso’s story serves as proof that it is possible to find safety and acceptance in a new country.
