LGBT Asylum in Israel

Jas Elmer

Professor Dylan Craig

SIS 105-001H

October 19, 2011

LGBT Asylum in Israel

            Members of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities throughout the world are teased, made fun of and discriminated against in their homes, communities, schools and work places. However, for many people living in the Middle East the threat of being labeled as an LGBT member could have far more dire consequences including torture, corrective rape (When a lesbian or bisexual woman is heterosexually raped in order to “correct” their sexual orientation) or being executed in the streets by other people including their neighbors, friends and family (http://www.gaymiddleeast.com/). Also in many of these countries the police also engage in torture and being gay is considered illegal; consequences can range from jail time to the death penalty (http://www.amnesty.org/en/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity). With these steep consequences, many LGBT members have found themselves trying to flee their countries and become refugees. (http://www.oraminternational.org/) The majority of Afghan refugees escape to Iran and the majority of Sudanese refugees go to Egypt. However, both Iran and Egypt prosecute their own LGBT populations. The Middle East is a dangerous place for LGBT members because there is no safety to be found in their geographical area (http://ilga.org/).There is only one exception: Israel.

            I learned about this issue at a presentation held at the DC Jewish Community Center for the Organization for Refugee Asylum and Migration (ORAM-http://www.oraminternational.org/). They explained the challenges that these LGBT refugees face and how their organization is helping to protect these individuals. Although this organization has a concise and positive goal, due to its lack of funding and the current situation in the Middle East it is not having as big of an impact as other methods of action could have.

            The majority of Middle Eastern LGBT refugees never find safety. This is because making the trip to Israel is often very expensive and requires crossing many dangerous state borders, especially for people traveling from as far away as Yemen, Somalia or Mauritania.  Most people are kicked out of their homes by their families as soon as it becomes evident that they are gay and are then unable to find jobs making it difficult for them to afford the trip. Few women are able to leave due to the lacking women’s rights in the Middle East. Also many women are forced into marriage and bearing children. This makes it impossible for them to receive help because many women with children are turned away with the explanation that they can’t have children if they are truly gay. Upon arrival in Israel they are viewed as illegal immigrants until they can gain refugee status and they face the danger of being deported. Many people are discriminated against in the workplace for their nationality or sexual or gender orientation and are forced to become prostitutes. Also there are time restrictions limiting how long people can reside in the country before they risk deportation. The migration to Israel and the situations people find themselves in upon arrival to Israel is dangerous and difficult. This has led to the creation of ORAM, the only organization of its kind, in order to aid refugees in moving to permanent third countries.

             ORAM is an organization which provides lawyers, housing and other resources required to resettle a person in a new country. Currently ORAM has a resettlement program in San Francisco and other people have also been resettled in European countries. Being moved to an alternative country is a long and difficult process. It is not uncommon for a lawyer to spend three months working on a person’s case. As another additional cost people need to obtain passports and special visas. Also upon arrival the refugee will need temporary housing provided until they can find work. ORAM estimates that the cost to resettle a refugee is approximately $30,000. Because most refugees have very little money and because ORAM is not a well-known, and therefore under-funded, organization the money required to leave Israel and permanently move to another country is one of the largest issues facing LGBT refugees. Although every person that ORAM is able to rescue from the Middle East is a huge feat and drastically impacts that persons’ life, ORAM is only affecting a limited number of people every year.

            Because the impact ORAM has upon this issue is so insignificant compared to the overall issue international efforts should be put towards helping create legal and societal change in the other Middle Eastern countries. Because so few people can make the journey to Israel this leaves a vast majority of the LGBT population, especially women, unreachable. Also, although people who are living in dangerous situations need to be placed in more secure environments advocating for LGBT rights needs to be occurring at the local level. If everyone who supports LGBT rights leaves than there will be nobody left to create change and begin to change the societal ideas people have regarding the LGBT community. In many places being openly LGBT is currently too dangerous. However, in some areas the population could begin to sway if they had pressure from the international community or local ally groups.

            The endeavor which ORAM has embarked upon is an important one. Having this organization in place is drastically affecting individuals’ lives and they are able to help more people every year as they receive more support. On an equally important note this organization, by holding events such as the one I attended, is making people aware of the issue. This is significant because currently ORAM is not making as big of an impact as there needs to be in the Middle East. As more people become aware of the issue hopefully ORAM will have the means to expand their operations. However, we also need other organizations and institutions to become aware and involved in this issue in order to successful begin breaking down the legal and social laws currently prosecuting LGBT members.