A Freedom of Information request published exclusively by Metro has revealed that at least 259 LGBTQI+ people were locked up in immigration detention in 2023. That is twice as many as in 2022, when at least 129 LGBTQI+ people were held in immigration detention.
However, the true number is likely to be significantly higher. Many LGBTQI+ people will hide their sexual orientation or gender identity in detention to keep themselves safe, rather than voluntarily disclosing it to detention officers (currently the only way this data is collected).
Furthermore, the Home Office was unable to provide comprehensive data. 8 months’ worth of data was missing from Derwentside detention centre, and 9 months’ worth from Colnbrook and Harmondsworth – some of the biggest detention centres in the UK. We can assume, therefore, that these numbers are nowhere near the true picture.
Detention is harmful for everyone. It isolates and re-traumatises people who have had to flee their countries because their lives were in danger.
LGBTQI+ people are particularly at risk of harm when locked up in overcrowded conditions, often alongside others from the countries they have fled. Inside detention, LGBTQI+ people are bullied and discriminated against, with long-term effects on their mental health. Many will go back into the closet to stay safe, but this is not always possible for everyone.
Joel, whose story is featured in the Metro article, was not able to conceal his sexual orientation in detention and was targeted as a result. He was dismissed by the staff he went to for help, and suffered a serious assault.
“It felt like I had a target on my back, but the officer I was with didn’t do anything.” – Joel
We need the government to understand that detention is inherently dangerous for LGBTQI+ people, and it’s not the only way to manage immigration and asylum cases. Compassionate, community-based schemes that support people to resolve their cases in the community have been shown to be both more humane and more cost-effective. The only ones who benefit from locking people up in detention centres are the private contractors who are paid millions of pounds a year to run them.
The new government has promised to review its policies on protecting people who are at risk of harm in detention in the coming months. This is our chance to finally end LGBTQI+ detention.
We are organising an event in parliament on 12 November where MPs can learn more about the dangers LGBTQI+ face in detention and how they can help. They’ll have the chance to speak to Joel first-hand about his experiences.
Invite your MP to meet Joel and help end LGBTQI+ detention today.