LGBT Asylum Seekers Confidentail Help Line:
0845 250 0524
Tuesdays 6.30 - 10.30pm
UNITY has decided to launch a unique new confidential service aimed at Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender asylum seekers in Scotland. The new service will be a confidential telephone support service for all asylum seekers in Scotland who face difficulties or need support due to issues related to their sexuality.
LGBT asylum seekers are often isolated from the religous and ethnic support networks that other asylum seekers normally depend upon in the UK. Often religous and ethnic groups in the UK hold the same homophobic prejudices that exist in the country of origin that the LGBT asylum seeker is fleeing from. At the same time ignorance and prejudice about LGBT issues are prevelant in the UKBA and throughout the asylum process.
At UNITY we’ve had a number of people coming to us looking for help with asylum claims based on their sexuality. We’ve also had a number of gay asylum seekers looking for support services they can access here in Scotland. Sometimes it has not been possible to help people in the centre in a truly confidential manner due to the many different people in the centre at the same time.
We’re therefore very pleased to announce that with the new confidential phone line we will be able to strengthen the support we provide to LGBT asylum seekers by offering a confidentail telephone support line for a few hours at least once a week.
People phoning the phone line will be able to speak to someone of their own gender if they prefer and they will receive support and adivce on where they can access information and support regarding their asylum claim and their lives in the UK. We hope to offer a truly comprehensive support service.
This new service will be unique in the UK as it will be the first regular support line dedicated to supporting LGBT asylum seekers.
If you are interested in being involved in the LGBT phone line please email the unity centre at info@unitycentreglasgow.org with your details and we will reply to you.
Initially the phone line will be open every Tuesday from 6.30 - 10.30pm. A poster is attached below and we hope that you will pass on the phone number to anyone who could be affected. Thank you.