Alternative to detention

The issue

Every year, Micro Rainbow receives a number of requests for help from LGBTQI migrants who have been detained. See From detention to Micro Rainbow’s housing for an example of how Micro Rainbow could be instrumental in the release of LGBTQI people in detention centres. Detention centres are like prisons, where people without permission to stay in the UK are often kept for long periods of time whilst a decision is made on their claim.

Once detained, LGBTQI migrants are particularly vulnerable and face serious issues:

• In detention they experience discrimination and harassment from other detainees who can be as homo-transphobic as the society they left behind. Those who are more visible, like trans people, are at risk of even greater abuse;
• Detention jeopardises LGBTQI people’ chances of winning their claims: in case of asylum claims for example, how can they satisfy a decision maker as to their sexuality or gender identity from a detention centre where they are not even free to express themselves for fear of attack?
• Detention severely affects the mental health of LGBTQI people, often the medical support available fails them (especially trans people) which results in their physical health being affected as well.

These concerns for LGBTQI people in detention were recognised by Stephen Shaw in his review, for the Home Office, of the welfare in detention of vulnerable persons.

Objectives

Micro Rainbow wants to create a dedicated fund in order to:

• reserve some places in its safe housing scheme to provide an address for LGBTQI migrants in detention so that they can obtain bail;
• reduce violence and discrimination towards LGBTQI people in detention centres;
• increase the chances for LGBTQI migrants to win their immigration claims.

How you can help

You can help by becoming an Ally. This means that you commit to making a regular donation to Micro Rainbow to pay for bills, transport and subsistence for people who come out of detention. Your donation will be ring-fenced and will be spent only in relation to Micro Rainbow’s detention work. It costs £30 per day to provide an LGBTQI migrant coming out of detention with housing, subsistence and support.

To become an Ally, choose a donation plan that suits you: