“I’m surprised that I survived all these years” : An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of LGBT Asylum Seekers.

• Main Authors: Byström, Markus, Wood, Ina
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Stockholms universitet, Psykologiska institutionen 2018
• Subjects: LGBT; Asylum seekers; Refugees; Forced Migration; Sexual and Gender Minorities; HBTQ; Asylsökande; Flyktingar; Migration; Psychology; Psykologi
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-152794

Research on forced migration has largely ignored asylum seekers from sexual and gender minorities. This exploratory study aimed to examine both positive and negative experiences of LGBT asylum seekers who had migrated to Sweden. Within the study, experiences prior to migration, during transit, and after arrival in Sweden were conceptualized as a process. Guided by the research question “How do LGBT asylum seekers describe positive and negative experiences of their asylum journeys?”, semi-structured interviews with eleven LGBT asylum seekers were conducted and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in five themes; 1. Living Under Threat, 2. Into the Abyss, 3. Living in Suspension, 4. External Sources of Support and 5. Strength from Within. Considerable stressors were reported, spanning form pre- to post migration. LGBT asylum seekers are found to be an especially vulnerable group that demonstrates considerable internal resources.