Abstract
IntroductionWhile many refugees have settled in Germany within recent years, little is known about LGBTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer*) refugees, a potentially vulnerable group. This qualitative study investigated LGBTQ* refugees’ experiences of distal and proximal minority stressors as well as their mental health burdens during the post-migration period.MethodsIn 2018, 26 self-identified LGBTQ* refugees were recruited in community centers of different metropolitan areas of Germany and interviewed in three focus groups. Anonymized transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsLGBTQ* refugees experienced discrimination based on their intersecting identities. Some described daily occurrences and higher rates in comparison with premigration. Moreover, LGBTQ* refugees reported expectations of rejection and thus concealed their identities, while some also demonstrated identity acceptance. Reported mental health burdens covered internalizing symptoms as well as low levels of well-being.ConclusionsFindings suggest that LGBTQ* refugees are especially vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination based on their intersecting identities. For a subgroup of participants, both discrimination experiences and mental health burdens subjectively increased during post-migration.Policy ImplicationsOur evidence substantiated that LGBTQ* refugees need to be distinctively acknowledged in social policies to counter their specific patterns of experienced discrimination and improve their mental health.
Highlights
IntroductionWhile many refugees have settled in Germany within recent years, little is known about LGBTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer*) refugees, a potentially vulnerable group
While many refugees have settled in Germany within recent years, little is known about LGBTQ* refugees, a potentially vulnerable group
The study sample mainly consists of gay, cis-gender refugees, Minority stress and, overt discrimination experiences and continuously needing to conceal their identity may strongly affect the everyday lives of LGBTQ* refugees after resettlement
Summary
While many refugees have settled in Germany within recent years, little is known about LGBTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer*) refugees, a potentially vulnerable group. This qualitative study investigated LGBTQ* refugees’ experiences of distal and proximal minority stressors as well as their mental health burdens during the post-migration period. In many regions of the world, people belonging to sexual and gender minorities experience rejection, discrimination, and in part severe violence (Carroll & Mendos, 2017; Piwowarczyk et al 2017) Some flee their home countries to gain safety and social inclusion elsewhere (Alessi et al 2016; Cerezo et al 2014; Cheney et al 2017). Becoming LGBTQ* refugees, they often report traumatic events prior to migration and during their migration journey
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