LGBT Ireland has released a video featuring LGBT+ asylum seekers to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, which took place on May 17.

The video was screened in Third Space, Smithfield, followed by a Q&A  in order to facilitate discussion surrounding LGBT+ issues from different countries around the world.

The video participants are members of Is Rainbow Muid (We Are Rainbow) and seeking asylum in Ireland on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. In the video, they discuss their views on the importance of IDAHOT in relation to the adversity they faced as a direct result of their sexuality and/or gender identity.

One of the speakers, Preet, discussed the extreme rejection he was subject to, ultimately forcing him to seek asylum in Ireland:

“It is as if, you know, when you are LGBT+ you are inferior, and all the straight people are superior to you. My family, they don’t accept me the way I am. Society does not accept me the way I am. Everyone has rejected me. So, it is indeed very, very hard in my country, and that is why I am in Ireland.”

Ernest, another asylum seeker living in Ireland, expressed his relief at being given the opportunity to be his authentic self:

“It took for me only two months to come out as a gay person in Ireland. I started to meet people and started to talk with people, and started to realise that being the real me and expressing myself is normal here.”

The video was created with the objective of making a direct appeal to the Irish government and the LGBT+ community to gain awareness of the unique situation of LGBT+ asylum seekers and develop services and support networks that are inclusive to all.

You can watch the video here: