• Albania: In 2021 (the most recently published ‘experimental’ data)1 there were around five grants of asylum made by the UK to Albanians who were recognised as being at risk of persecution due to their sexual orientation.  
  • Brazil: Asylum claims based on sexual orientation are being made here in the UK, but the number of any grants is not provided in the published data. We are routinely contacted by Brazilians who fear return to their country, with good reason (see e.g. here and here). 
  • Bulgaria: This is not a source country for people seeking asylum in the UK, however there are also serious issues for LGBTQI+ people in Bulgaria (see here and Bulgaria was ranked last in acceptance of same-sex relationships in the EU in this 2019 survey). 
  • Gambia (in respect of men): Nine asylum claims based on sexual orientation were made here in 2021, there are no published outcomes for that year due to the low numbers involved, nor does the Home Office provide a gender breakdown, however the most recent data on appeals shows five appeals were allowed in 2018 and 12 in 2017. 
  • Ghana (in respect of men): Nine grants of refugee status were made in 2021 and 7 appeals were allowed for asylum claims based on sexual orientation. Again, there is no gender breakdown, however we have had male service users from Ghana who have been granted refugee status, including Adams in 2022. Ghana is becoming increasingly dangerous for LGBTQI+ people (see e.g. here and here). 
  • Hungary: The dangers to LGBTQI+ people in Hungary are well known, see e.g. here and here. 
  • India: In 2021 ten people from India claimed asylum based on sexual orientation, but there are no published outcomes due to the low numbers. 
  • Jamaica: Grants of asylum to people claiming on the basis of their sexual orientation have been made as recently as 2018 when 11 people were recognised as refugees by the UK. 
  • Kenya (in respect of men): In 2021, at initial asylum application stage, 33 people were recognised as refugees based on their sexual orientation, a gender breakdown is not published 
  • Malawi (in respect of men): Asylum claims based on sexual orientation have been made as recently as 2020 when five people sought refuge in the UK, however outcomes are not published due to the low numbers.  
  • Mauritius: The last published data on asylum claims based on sexual orientation from Mauritius show that seven people claimed in 2017. Same sex activity between men is criminalised in Mauritius, which contributes to a culture of discrimination against LGBTQI+ people.  
  • Nigeria (in respect of men): In 2021 there were 50 grants of asylum made to people based on their sexual orientation, and nine appeals were allowed. No gender breakdown is provided but we have male Nigerian service users who have been granted refugee status.  
  • Poland: As is the case with Hungary, Poland’s anti-LGBTQI+ stance is well known, for example see here and here.  
  • Romania: This is another European country where LGBTQI+ people face serious issues and discrimination, for example see here and here.  
  • Rwanda: Asylum claims based on sexual orientation are being made by Rwandans in the UK, but in low numbers such that the data is not published. In 2017 there were five appeals determined in asylum claims based on sexual orientation. Rainbow Migration has set out our concerns about proposals to send LGBTQI+ people to Rwanda here.   
  • Sierra Leone (in respect of men): In 2021 there were five people who were granted asylum in the UK based on their sexual orientation. 
  • South Africa: Asylum claims based on sexual orientation have been made, but in such low numbers that the data is not published.