What is an LGBT migrant? An LGBT migrant refers to a person who has moved from one geographic location to another for any reason but also identifies themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, intersex, or another gender identity outside the binary male/female paradigm. Why are they called 'LGBT'? This acronym stands for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning Intersex Asexual Ally Pansexual Androgyne Demiboy Demigirl Bigender Agender Genderqueer Pangender Two-Spirit Polygender Omnisexual Sapiosexual Nonmonosexual Autogynephilic Heteroflexible Gynophobic Homoflexible Genderfluid Genderless Neutrois Polylanguage Gynephilic Cissexual and many more terms which all describe similar experiences.
Challenges faced by LGBT migrants include difficulty forming identity, belonging, and community within host societies. These challenges can be related to culture shock, language barriers, discrimination, lack of support systems, religious beliefs, sexual orientation discrimination, economic hardships, family dynamics, isolation, stigma, and mental health issues.
Culture Shock is when someone moves to a new place and experiences a sense of disorientation due to differences in values, norms, customs, language, food, and social etiquette. Language Barriers involve difficulties communicating with others due to differences in vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pronunciation, tone, accents, slang, dialects, jargon, or body language. Discrimination is when people treat you differently based on your gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, age, ability status, occupation, education level, income bracket, appearance, class, political affiliations, etc.
Lack of Support Systems refers to the absence of people who share similar experiences and understand them intimately. Religious Beliefs refer to traditional religions that condemn same-sex relationships as sinful or deviant. Sexual Orientation Discrimination involves denying rights based on one's romantic attraction or sex life. Economic Hardships result from not having enough money for basic needs like housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical care, education, childcare, etc. Family Dynamics affect those who have left their immediate relatives behind but must still interact with extended families who may disapprove of their choices. Isolation can happen if they live far away from other LGBT individuals. Stigma includes negative perceptions about queer individuals leading to feelings of shame, guilt, self-doubt, or inadequacy. Mental Health Issues include depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, or suicide ideation related to stressors like discrimination, family rejection, violence, marginalization, stigma, isolation, financial hardship, cultural pressure, legal restrictions, health risks, etc.
Ways to address these challenges involve learning more about host societies through books/articles, joining local LGBT groups, finding allies within existing networks (e.g., religious congregations), volunteering at organizations serving LGBT migrants, seeking therapy, participating in social events/activities, connecting online, building friendships gradually over time, advocating for better laws/policies, and reaching out for help when needed. The most important thing is to remember that it takes time and effort to feel comfortable in a new place but that it is possible with patience, resilience, and courage.
What challenges confront LGBT migrants in forming identity, belonging, and community within host societies?
LGBT migrants face various challenges while forming their identities, sense of belonging, and communities in host societies. One of the main barriers is language difficulties that can prevent them from communicating with other individuals in the new culture effectively and establishing social connections (Hays et al. , 2018).