Resources

In the Arab world particularly, knowledge and medicolegal frameworks about
intersexuality seem inexistent with no publications to date on the matter. Therefore, this
study aims to highlight certain experiences of intersex individuals in this region as well
as physicians’ practices. Hence, the authors suggest this first-of-its-kind study as a first
step to fill the enormous gap on the practices performed on intersex individuals in this
region.

This article, by scholar Alfred Chabbour, Rim Chehab andElie Charro, seeks to explore gaps in service provision.
 

This information sheets contains information and resources on what is involved in making a refugee protection claim in Canada, geared specifically toward LGBTI persons.

The primary audience are individuals who are considering seeking asylum in Canada due to persecution, violence or threats because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI), or because others perceive them to be.

Available in Arabic, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

This online resource is for refugee claimants preparing for their refugee hearing. It shows them what a hearing room in Toronto looks like and who may be at their hearing. It also has practical information to help them:

This resource provides some background information on how to apply for refugee status. Canada accepts people as refugees if they have a well-founded fear of persecution on certain grounds. These grounds are race, religion, nationality, political opinion and being member of a particular social group. Recognized social groups include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) and HIV+ people. Political opinion can also include the work of LGBT activists and HIV activists. It is possible to claim well-founded fear of persecution on multiple grounds. There have been successful claims made in Canada by LGBT and HIV+ people who are afraid to return to their country because of fear of persecution.

Based on Egale's in-house research and review, several recommendations were made to the Canadian federal government on how to better approach engagement with LGBTQI+ newcomers, specifically refugees and refugee claimants. They include: 1) implement long-term government investments and consistent funding that supports the ongoing support of LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers at all stages of the settlement process; 2) launch a large scale and national needs assessment to identify needs of LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers; and 3)

This information sheet outlines Canadian Federal Court appeal decisions over the past 10 years that have overturned rejections of lesbian and gay asylum claims. Challenges unique to these asylum seekers are analyzed. (Note: Claims based on bisexuality or gender identity are not covered here, since the jurisprudence is different and specific treatment is necessary.)

The primary audience for this are adjudicators of lesbian and gay claims seeking to ensure that their decisions avoid or survive judicial review; reference for asylum seekers and counsel in preparing gay and lesbian claims.