Last week UKLGIG (UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group) launched its new publication looking at the rate of refusals of lesbian and gay asylum claims.  

The report looks at the decisions of UK Border Agency at interview stage.  Although refusal at this stage is high for all asylum applicants – 73% in 2009 – refusal of lesbian and gay applicants between 2004 and 2009 was 98-99%.

Earlier this year Prime Minister Gordon Brown was asked by Johann Hari in Attitude whether he thought it wrong that gay refugees are told to go home and hide their sexuality.
Brown said:
"Asylum law is incredibly difficult, and you can’t ever have a blanket inclusion or exclusion. Every asylum case is going to be dealt with on its merits."

Conservative leader David Cameron was also asked by Hari whether he thought it was wrong that gay refugees are told to go home and hide their sexuality from police forces that would torture or kill them.
Cameron replied:
"I think it is. If you have a legitimate fear of persecution, that it seems to me that is a perfectly legitimate reason to stay."

To read the UKLGIG's report click here