When individuals flee their homes due to persecution, war, violence, or natural disasters, they can experience many challenges during their journeys to safety. These include language barriers, cultural differences, financial difficulties, and trauma from their experiences. Refugees who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or intersex often face additional challenges related to their gender identity. This can make it difficult for them to access resources such as housing, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. In this article, I will explore how global crises impact gender-diverse refugees.
Sexual Assault and Harassment
Refugee camps can be dangerous places where sexual assault and harassment are commonplace. Transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people may be particularly vulnerable because of their perceived lack of conformity to societal expectations of gender norms. They may also be targeted for their identities, which can lead to increased risk of abuse. Many LGBTQ+ refugees have reported being forced to engage in sex work or other forms of survival sex to meet basic needs.
Gender diverse refugees may face discrimination when trying to obtain services like healthcare or legal aid, further increasing their risk of victimization.
Housing and Shelter
Finding safe and appropriate shelter can be a significant challenge for gender-diverse refugees. Many shelters only provide accommodation based on biological sex, which can exclude transgender and nonbinary individuals. Even if there is a designated space for transgender and nonbinary people, these spaces may not be adequately staffed or equipped with the necessary resources. Some refugees may opt to stay in unofficial shelters or squats instead, but this can put them at greater risk of violence and exploitation.
Healthcare
Healthcare access can be limited for all refugees due to language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and stigma associated with seeking treatment. For gender diverse refugees, this can be even more difficult as they may face discrimination from providers who do not understand their needs or may not feel comfortable treating them. Medical professionals may also assume a patient's gender identity based on their appearance, which could result in incorrect diagnosis or treatment. Access to hormone therapy and other transition-related treatments can be particularly challenging for transgender and intersex refugees.
Education
Refugee camps often lack educational opportunities, but those that exist may not be inclusive of gender diverse students. Many countries have laws against teaching about LGBTQ+ issues, making it hard for teachers to provide an accurate portrayal of gender diversity. Gender diverse students may also experience bullying or harassment from peers or faculty members, leading to dropping out of school altogether. Lack of education can make it harder for refugees to integrate into their new communities and find employment opportunities.
Employment
Finding employment can be difficult for all refugees, but especially for gender-diverse individuals. Many job markets are dominated by men, and gender-diverse people may face discrimination during the application process. Transgender and nonbinary people may also struggle to fit into traditional gender roles at work, leading to microaggressions or mistreatment. This can further impact their ability to support themselves and their families, contributing to economic instability.
How do global crises impact gender-diverse refugees?
Many factors come into play when considering how global crises affect gender-diverse refugees. One of the most significant challenges that they face is discrimination and violence from their host communities, as well as from other displaced individuals who may be unfamiliar with their identities and expressions of self. This can lead to increased isolation, depression, and anxiety, as well as difficulties finding employment and accessing essential services such as healthcare and education.