Critical Analysis: Gay Asylum Seekers, Social Work, and Development

This essay delves into the complex experiences of gay asylum seekers, exploring their mental health challenges, the impact of persecution, and their journey to seek refuge in the United Kingdom. The essay examines the prevalence of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among this vulnerable population. It analyzes the legal and social context, including the role of social work, and the difficulties faced by asylum seekers in navigating the asylum process. The essay also considers life course development theories and how they apply to understanding the challenges faced by LGBT individuals. It provides statistical analysis of homophobic abuses in the UK and the support provided to the asylum seekers. The essay also discusses the role of various LGBT communities and the steps taken by the UK government to protect and support asylum seekers, referencing relevant legislation and policies. The essay concludes by highlighting the importance of social work practices in providing support and advocating for the rights of gay asylum seekers.

Running Head: ESSAY 0
Law for Social work
Asylum Seekers

ESSAY 1
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Mental Asylum in UK................................................................................................................3
Statistical analysis......................................................................................................................4
Life course development theories..............................................................................................5
Difficulties faced........................................................................................................................7
Social Work Practices................................................................................................................9
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12

ESSAY 2
Introduction
Asylum seekers are the people who suffer torture and maltreatment in their native
country, which leads to immigration to other countries to seek safety and non-persecuted life.
Gay asylum seekers are another significant group that is highly unacceptable in most of the
countries and they flew from their native states to other countries. The prevalence of mental
health and issues among the refugees or the asylum seekers is high which ranges from
anxiety, depression to post-traumatic stress disorder. They do not get acceptance in their
native country as most of the countries do not accept the LGBT relations and their identity
and which results in the individuals deprived of getting the basic rights (Keatley, 2016).
Parallel with the society even the family members find it hard to accept their distinct
identity and they always remain in the questionable state. This forces them to seek help and
safety measured by eloping from their native country to other countries, where all the people
of distinct sexualities are treated equally and enjoy all the basic human rights and privileges.
This makes them feel to be an integral part of the society and make them feel their worth.
People often question their orientation and feel that they are under bad influence and must
seek medical help. However, this is not the case as determining sexuality is not a choice
rather than it is an acceptance of what the person is and people around must support the fact.
It is as normal as other genders and must not be a matter of exaggerated discussion and
exclamation (Alessi, Kahn, Greenfield, Woolner, & Manning, 2020)..
It has been analyzed that there are several countries where same-sex relationships and
marriages are banned and criminalized in most of the cases. On knowing the fact, they have
to face abuse, violence or even penalized to death. They face harassment and prosecution and
these are common acts that are faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people or
abbreviated as LGBT communities. This discussion unveils the scenario of gay asylum
seekers in the United Kingdom and focuses on the general aspect as well. It presents the life
course development of the LGBT people and how theory proposed by the scientists and
psychologists about the life development of humans is related to the unveiling and self-
realization of the sexual orientation among gay, lesbians, transgender, and bisexual people. It
also discusses how they face difficulties in their life regarding their sexual orientation. It has
been a matter of concern from ages and people and society has stigmatized it. Accepting it in
front of society and even at the basic level to one’s family is heavily stressful. Further,
limitations arise when the people do not accept and support the fact and the identity of the

ESSAY 3
person. LGBT people have been vocal about it for a few years due to awareness about it on
social media and digital platforms. This discussion also presents several statistics and
numbers which represent the condition of the gays and lesbians living a persecuted life in
their native states and countries. Parallel with this it also depicts the percentage of the mental
illness prevalent among them due to non-acceptance in the society and the number of people
seeking shelter and or have eloped to the countries that provide the detention and the normal
life.
Mental Asylum in UK
It has been analyzed, in this scenario, the United Kingdom becomes the revolutionary
country to help the people from this community to provide shelter to the people eloping from
the persecuted life and living as immigrants. In 1958, May 12 Homosexual Law Reform
Society came into being as a first LGBT group in the United Kingdom. These days the
Stonewall community exists as the largest LGBT equality organization covering the whole
UK and Europe. There are other communities as well which are well recognized and noted
globally such as Birmingham Gay Village in Birmingham region, LGBT community of
Brighton and Hove in Blackpool and LGBT culture in Liverpool and many more in the
province of London, Wales (Reynolds, 2019). Pride March is celebrated all over the world
and around 2017 it was a significant celebration in the United Kingdom which marked the
fifty years of anniversary of stopping treating gay relationships as illegal in Wales and
England. After the legalization of LGBT relationships in the UK, people were more accepted
and less stigmatized (BBC, 2019). (BBC, 2019).
It was analyzed in a report that in the year 2010 Theresa May, then Home
Commissioner of United Kingdom investigated on the immigrants and took the steps to
provide the medical help and helping asylum seekers to cope with their mental illness caused
due to torture in their native place. United Kingdom asylums usually comprise the people
coming from the 9 countries mostly from Asia, Africa, Russia, and Carrabin (Bachmann,
2016).
However, it was reported that around 98 to 99 percent of the asylum seekers were
asked to flew back to their countries such as Iran and Uganda. Until the year 2015, they
investigated the detention asylum seekers on a large statistic. United Kingdom has been the
largest place for refugees in the whole of Europe and has been detaining asylum seekers at a
great extent. However, when the asylum seekers were interviewed their statements differed

ESSAY 4
from what they have perceived about the detention camps. The people staying in the camps
ranging from 3 months to even over a year states that their life is miserable even in the
detention camps (Messih M. , 2020). They are being bullied and abused. Their basic rights
are given no importance and are treated like slaves. These camps often fail to understand the
basics of their responsibilities towards the mental health of these asylum seekers who was
already living a prosecuted life in their native countries. Medical facilities fail to fulfill their
requirements. The health care staff is equipped and irresponsible. Basic needs and amnesties
are not being provided on time (DHS, 2013).
In a study, it was found out that the LGBT people are treated more violently and
abusively in the detention centers rather than in the society. Hence, to safeguard them, the
United Kingdom has taken major steps to shelter them as an immigrant. In the past years,
several developments can be seen in favor of the LGBT asylum seekers in the European
countries. Around 25 countries in Europe show support towards the LGBT community who
flew from their country in search of self-identity and support (Hall & Sajnani, 2020).
Statistical analysis in UK
In a recorded report and statistics, it was presented that in the UK the homophobic
abuses significantly increased from around 5,807 in the year 2014 to 13,530 in year 2018.
While the number of prosecutions slightly decreased from 1,157 to 1,058. Many of these
cases are in evidence and this acts as a barrier in the legal actions and justice and hence many
cases are left unrecorded on the papers (BBC News, 2019).
In a study of 2001, it was reported by Amnesty international that the lesbian, gay
bisexual, transgender are the highest targets of the human abuse, violence, and the tortures
acts. Loss of dignity and assaults are the other common acts that they face and are a high risk
of murder attempts and ill-treatment (Alessi E. J., 2016).
In a study it can be seen that before the Equality Act which has proposed in the year
2010, which saves the rights of the LGBT rights in the United Kingdom was in support of the
EU law. But previously in late 20th century around year 1997, there existed no laws which
regulated the right an of the LGBT but even then, it was prohibited to discriminate based on
the sexual orientation and sadistic gender identity which was an evident part of the
Amsterdam Treaty of 1997. Later in the year 2000, the EU charted adopted by the EU
moment to safeguard the LGBT rights which is regarded as the Bill of Rights. It also

ESSAY 5
contained the supportive rights that maintains the human and individual dignity (Wareham,
2020).
In further analysis is was recorded through the NIESR report which mentions a
variety of studies directing to a higher occurrence of mental health issues among LGBT
people compared to the general population in the United Kingdom. Around 24 percent of
respondents have accessed mental health in the last 12 months (gov.uk, 2019).
In contrast to the United Kingdom asylum seekers, it has been analyzed that in the
USA there were 3.8 to 10 percent of the immigrants or the refugees into the USA that were
identified as LGBT. And it numbered approximately between 2000 to 4000. The journey of
eloping from the native country to seek shelter as a refuge in the detention camps in other
countries is associated with lots of hardships, what drives them to take this step to protect
their self-respect and basic human rights and requirements that are not being achieved in their
country. They solely rely on the NGOs and the government support that would make their life
identical and worthwhile to some extent (King & McKeown, 2003).
Life-course development
In the analysis it was being deduced that it offers center rules that interface social
change and formative directions, including those of life expectancy advancement, human
office, timing, connected lives, and recorded time and spot. In blend, these standards speak to
key commitments to the investigation of human improvement. They build up a long-lasting
wonder that incorporates maturing into late adulthood to feature individuals as they shape
their settings inside cutoff points while seeing the improvement in the history; and arranging
every individual's direction regarding family, neighborhood, network, and society. Life-
course knowledge have been particularly uncovering and giving scope of inquiry about
wellbeing, and offer an extraordinary guarantee in the investigation of science, experience,
and alteration (Elder & Shanahan, 2007).
One idea is of ontogenetic advancement wherein social structures and societies just
build up settings. Paradoxically, the life-course hypothesis resembles human improvement as
a coactive procedure in which sociocultural, natural, and mental powers interface after some
time. Social structures and societies are important components in the formative procedure.
Individuals assume a significant job informing their life course and improvement, even
though decisions and activities are constantly gratified by social powers and natural

ESSAY 6
restrictions. Lives after some time don't follow a sequence of circumstances or individual
connections (Morley, 2019).
Several theories can be applied on the asylum seekers that are being well versed by
the researchers. In a study, it was recorded that around 22-25 percent of them are homeless
and lack proper shelter. These conditions make them elope to the other countries that support
their identity and provides them with basic amenities that are required by the person to live a
better and satisfied life. It is also mentioned in the theory presented by a writer Michael
which states that these basic requirements such as food and shelter make the person live a
satisfied life (British Journal ofGeneralPractice, 2019).
Other theories support and pave the way to understand the life development in the
humans in a better a broad way. The psychosexual theory of development by Sigmund Freud
believes that personality traits are developed right from the childhood of the person. It adds
that there exists a specific phase and the stage in the life of the child where they get stuck and
the lack of nurturing and parenting behavior is not fulfilled. Another theory named as
Psychosocial theory of development states that the psychological and emotional development
of the person also occurs at the childhood while the personality development occurs
throughout the life of the person. It was proposed by Erik Erikson. These theories are in
respective with the procedure of how babies and the children develop into adults. Sigmund
theory focuses on the different stages and the energies that are involved with the same and
focuses on the several erogenous areas in one’s body. While Erik Theory claims about the
social interactions and task completion abilities which defines the person. Jean Piaget
explains the thinking capacity and development of the child including the cognitive abilities.
Lastly, Kohlberg proposes the moral development and the building of the moral capacity
within the person. These theories are evidence of the development that starts at the very
young age or childhood and hence it is not in the hands of the person to determine their
gender identity and cannot be changed unlike personality or habits but can only be realized
and accepted (lumen, 2019).
Childhood is the phase of rapid development and growth both physically and
mentally. Adolescents undergoing the emotional ad hormonal changes when come across
with their sexual orientation often finds it struggling to tell the society about it and get
acceptance. Lack of support and help make the, look forward to the asylum. After getting into
the asylum it comes with lots of experiences which changes their life completely. The change

ESSAY 7
accompanied shock due to the sudden loss of the family, acquaintances and the familiar
environment is no less than the mental struggle and torture. It comes with great sacrifice and
hardships. Transgender females are more likely to experience assault and violence compared
to the gay people (Messih M. , 2016).
Adolescents continuously go through sexual development and some of them become
unsure about their sexual orientation while others seem to be clear about it. This unsureness
leads to curiosity and they learn that their orientation is different from what is perceived to be
right and socially acceptable. The development of the person’s sexual orientation into gay,
lesbian or transborder or bisexual is unique and has always gained attention in the scientific
researches and cultural beliefs. It unfolds slowly over the life of the person. It starts right
from the childhood and can visible show-up and gets realized by the person in their
adolescence when they become more learned and aware of the condition. It requires self-
acceptance and then it leads to acceptance but he society. Accepting oneself in the first place
is crucial. There are several cases where people are in denial with themselves and cannot
accept the reality due to vague misconceptions and notions prevailing in the society(Meyer).
Difficulties faced
It is well reported and documented that gay asylum seekers or refugees go
through a lot of pain and mental problems. The prevalence of alcohol and substance abusers
is quite common among them. But apart from that, it is being noticed that there are temporary
ways to make the condition better but the real peace is in the support that is being provided
by the society and the community and the country as a whole. Several factors influence their
pathways which strengthens them and creates resilience in their life stages. Understanding the
trauma practiced by LGBT migrants allows clinicians to understand and provide suitable
care. Patients with complex pasts and histories comprising trauma, in transit, and while
adapting to new existence. The role of treatment is two-fold, first to navigate the earlier and
prepare the user for the future. Opportunities exist for practitioners and clinicians looking to
evaluate asylum seekers. Finally, psychiatrists act as supporters for the patients by
authorizing and permitting refugees to direct the asylum process (Jansen, 2014).
In several countries, people fear to accept their sexuality as gay, lesbian or
transgender as it is considered illegal in some countries and people are mistreated, imprisoned
and even penalized to death if they speak up about their distinct sexuality. Hence, to avoid a
persecuted life, they elope from their country and seek for shelter where it is legal

ESSAY 8
(Javanainen, 2018). The following are the major problems that are faced by gay asylum
seekers. Marginalization and exclusion from the social responsibilities is the foremost issue
that they face at interpersonal, religious and community level. It results in becoming
stigmatizing and making them vulnerable in the eyes of the community and society. Their
opportunities are made limited which harshly affects their self-confidence and sometimes
their will to live. They are deprived or given limited access to various amenities such as
housing, accommodation, commutation, education, and healthcare. They often get strike with
racial and sexist comments. Young children or adolescents suffer violence from their parents
and get deprived of their support in most of the cases. They are bullied by collogues or
classmates. This results in dropping out of school or universities. Lack of communication
arises between the children and their parents which results in deteriorating the relationships
and support seeking system. It results in mental and depressional issues. They try to self-harm
themselves by attempting suicides. Homelessness is another issue; the majority of the queer
sections are being thrown out of their houses or they elope due to violent or abusive behavior
form their family members who do not support their condition. Further, they also get
deprived of shelter as people deny to provide them with accommodation. They also do not get
jobs and remain unemployed in most of the cases and if got the opportunity, then it comes at
lots of risks and uncertainty (Keatley, 2016).
Lack of support from family makes the person adapt different mediums to relieve
mental stress by indulging in alcohol consumption in excess and drug abuse which further
deteriorates the person’s mental condition and results in fatal and suicidal thoughts. Anti-gay
people stigmatize the condition which causes psychological stress and depression. Barriers to
care is another issue that has to be removed. In a study conducted in the United Kingdom, it
was observed that around 40 percent of the gay and lesbian groups experienced
discrimination and lack of facilities by mental healthcare professionals and providers (King &
McKeown, 2003). Lack of justice and legal action in favor of the gay and LGBT community
is another reason for them seeking asylum. In most cases, no actions are taken in favor of the
gay community if they face violence of discrimination.
In the analysis of a report from 2010, it was stated that the gay or transgender asylum
seekers cannot return to their country and hiding their sexuality is the only way they can
prevent persecution or violence (Alessi, Kahn, Greenfield, Woolner, & Manning, 2020). In
another report by the Royal College of Psychiatry, it was recorded that the people with
mental illness should be subjected to only immigration detention. In a report, it was being

ESSAY 9
mentioned that the first mental asylum that was being made in the United Kingdom was in
the year 1999 for the protection of the refugees from all the population including the general
as well as the people under-going the mental disorder. It mostly included gay and transgender
people seeking help in other countries. LGBT asylums are quite vulnerable and always
remain in the conflicts. Native generally does not accept the reality and does not accept the
asylum made special for the gays and other LGBT community (Allen & Haloin , 2004).
Social Work Practices
Analyzing the condition, it can be inferred that general healthcare facilities can be
provided to the mental asylum seekers as it is a universal right to seek for health needs. They
must be well managed and must be provided against further deterioration of mental health.
The humanitarian organization can be used to get asylum seekers benefitted by the general
practices (Hellman & Drescher, 2005). Spiritual healing and health keeping are another social
practice that can encourage which will benefit these people at an individual and personal
level to a great extent. People are making groups and dedicated communities to put forward
their issues and struggles. (Hopkinson, Keatley, Glaeser, Fattal, & Sullivan, 2016).
In October 2007, the United Kingdom’s Government announced and declared widely
that the discrimination, hatred, violence, abusive behavior or any kind of act which will
distort the person’s respect and integrity would be considered as crime and would be charged
for Criminal Justice and Immigration act. It is widely accepted in the provinces of Scotland
and New Zealand under the legislation and jurisdiction of the respective countries (Rainbow
Europe, 2019).
According to the latest and newest of the studies, LGBT refugees in UK are likely to
enough get their application accepted if they act to be a flamboyant. They are at high chance
of acceptance if they show the documents or the proofs of the attendance of the Pride March.
A study showed that several countries are listed from where the immigrants come from such
as Iran, Pakistan and many more. LGBT asylum seekers are under high rates of Traumatic
disorder which is claimed to be 70 percent whereas depressional conditions are noted to be 76
percent and anxiety at 28 percent (AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION,
2020).
It has been well-documented and iterated that individuals who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and belonging to the LGBT community can direct their existence
towards humiliation and discrimination. Social workers show an essential character by being

ESSAY 10
a mentor or therapists, that supports them in their life. Furthermore, sexual orientation and
distinct gender individuality intersect with race or ethnicity and age. Up till now, others face
difficulties ingrained in heterosexism, transphobia, and homophobia. General interventions at
the individual as well as at the clinical level can heal traumas related to the negligence.
Moreover, different organizations and NGOs can provide digital, or even highly preferred in-
person education and support to the LGBT population (Rosenwald, 2017). Hence, trauma
informed care can be provided which is a basic right for all.
It is been seen that youth of the current generation is quite aware of the LGBT issues
and can look for it online and can seek help regarding this matter. But in the past generation,
it was not that common. People used to hide their sexuality from the society and even from
the families so that they do not get to live a persecuted or isolated life. Instead of getting
attracted to same-sex, they willfully used to marry the opposite gender. However, in the
current scenario, children and adolescents are aware and vocal about it, and thanks to the
technology that has made it simpler to reach out for help and support. Digital platform has
made them capable about handling the struggles and problems confidently while making
people aware of their condition in the country and the hardships they face on a daily in
society. Social media has encouraged them to high for their needs and requirements that have
been snatched from them due to their district sexual orientation and linking a factor with
them. These conditions should be well understood by the population within the country and
must not neglect them as it drastically affects their mental health conditions Some several
laws and regulations are being amended in the favor of gay or transgender marriages and
relationships. European government and the government under Boris Johnson in UK are
taking several measures to make them feel worthwhile and the integrated part of the society.
In UK, special privileges, in regards to the education, healthcare and other amenities are
being provided to secure their identity (Fox, 2019).
LGBT asylum seekers are not open about their sexual orientation or identity. The
relationship between individuality disclosure and mental illness in LGBT asylum is indistinct.
In UK, on the basis of gender identity and mental health, the quantitative studies were
conducted, and it turned out to be complicated by the requirement needed to differentiate the
coverup of gender history in an individual from the concealment of true gender identity in the
same individual. However, there are other studies as well that have suggested that individuals
who conceal their true identity or sexual orientation have less mental health issues and

ESSAY 11
problems related to stigmatization. There is no quantitative research that has observed the
mental health in immigrant populations (National Institute of Health, 2011).
The LGBT community gets into the United Kingdom without any certification of
their gender identity. The Gay asylum seekers feel isolated and it results in the demotivation
and under confidence. They find it difficult to excel in their life and to achieve their goals and
targets. It has been noted that in the high-income countries the immigration of the asylum
seekers has been increasing and which is creating a stagnancy in several entities within the
country of the localities and the native population. Despite government support and approval
to seek asylum, people do not approve of this and thus creates a hostile environment for the
refugees (Alessi E. J., 2016).
Conclusion
Hence there are several points of concern that can be deduced from this discussion. It
comprehends discussed about the gay people seeking mental asylum in the United Kingdom.
The county being the largest detention center in the whole Europe which provides shelter to
the persecuted gay or LGBT community form different countries around the globe. It focuses
on the real aspect of his act as well where the interviewed seekers reflect the reality of the
detention camps and centers in the United Kingdom. Being well recognized for this grateful
act, still, they lack in their whole sameness to provide the responsible needs and utilities to
these persecuted people. They came in search of shelter and to sake support as the
government favors the LGBT community and gives them equal rights that are common to
every individual within the country. However, the seekers claim that they have been poorly
treated in the asylums and even considered as slaves in UK asylums. They are even treated
violently and abusively, while some says that they were in a better place in their native
country. The rejection from the society and community leads to adverse on the mental health
of these people. Society must be made aware of and must be made learned about the
dissociation which is as normal as other groups in society. They must not be made deprived
of their rights of education, employment, housing, and healthcare. In the current society and
generation, people are coming forward for their rights. Humanity at its most basic level is
what required by society towards the LGBT as they are nowhere different from commoners.
They should be supported and considered as an integral part of the society and should not be
alienated because of their distinct sexual orientation. Several mental health disorders are
being associated with the non-acceptance of the gay and transgender. Ridiculing and abusive