Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Immigrant Rights

Confronted with the same discrimination as other immigrants because of their immigration status, LGBT immigrants often also face difficult challenges because of issues that arise in connection with their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).  This includes discrimination both from the immigrant community and/or society at large, but expands to issues involving the process of self-identifying as LGBT, coming-out to one’s community, and, in the case of transgender individuals, transitioning from their birth-assigned gender to their real gender identity.  These processes can be particularly difficult for immigrants who have fled their country of origin due to SOGI-based persecution or those who may fear social isolation from their community in the U.S.  These challenges not only mean that LGBT immigrants require legal and other social services that are culturally competent to meet their needs both as immigrants and LGBT individuals; they may also pose certain obstacles to many persons’ ability to obtain lawful immigration status.