Immigration and Asylum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals do not have equal or full human rights when compared to heterosexual individuals, families, and couples. In many countries around the world, LGBT individuals do not have a legal right to safety, to engage in consensual sex, get married, have children, or to be free of discrimination in housing, work, or public accommodation. In several countries, the governmental response to LGBT individuals is to jail or sentence them to death as a consequence. LGBT individuals may apply for asylum to the United States (U.S.), Canada, and the United Kingdom (U.K.) for these reasons. Frequently, applications to the U.S. are denied because the U.S. continues to discriminate against LGBT individuals. In addition, the U.S. discriminates against international LGBT couples and their children by denying their children U.S. citizenship. The aim of this paper is to present the global context regarding discrimination and immigration as a base to examine the impact of discrimination, immigration, and asylum requests in the U.S. This paper will review major legal cases involving LGBT individuals in order to recommend best ethical practices for social and political action. The role of social workers as change agents is explored.