We have partnered with MicroRainbow, a charity which offers specialist support services for LGBTI people who have fled their country to seek safety in the UK, to share some tips for interpreters working with LGBTI asylum seekers. You can also see this article in the MicroRainbow website here.

The process of applying for asylum as an LGBTI person can be very daunting. Not only are you in a new country, surrounded by new norms, new people, and new experiences, but you may also be struggling to communicate in a new language.

Theoretically, an asylum seeker’s ability to speak English should not affect their ability to file their asylum claim. The Home Office has an obligation to provide an interpreter during both the screening and substantive interviews, and asylum seekers often utilise this interpreting service. However, for LGBTI asylum seekers, speaking through an interpreter can be fraught with fear and misunderstanding.

Micro Rainbow has seen first-hand many of the ways that unprofessional interpreting can affect the claims of LGBTI asylum seekers. This can be in the form of mistranslation of terms involving sexuality and relationships. For example, downplaying client’s serious same-sex relationships, or being inaccurate in translation of client’s self-identified sexuality. Understandably, this can cause some clients to avoid seeking interpreters, fearing their stories will not be taken seriously, or worse, will be misrepresented.

Because their experiences as LGBTI people are often relevant to their asylum claim, it is extremely important that LGBTI asylum seekers feel comfortable describing their claims through an interpreter.

6 tips for interpreters who find themselves working with LGBTI people

1. Before translating, be sure to explain to the person that you are not there to judge them and that you will keep confidential anything that you learn about them during the interview.
2. Read this guide to learn about the appropriate terms to use concerning LGBTI identities (as well as which derogatory terms to avoid) for English, French, Turkish, Farsi, and Arabic.
3. If in doubt about how someone identifies, and if the information is relevant for the purpose of the translation, ask them. Use the terms and pronouns that are used by the person him/her/themselves.
4. Do not make assumptions about the sexuality or gender identity of the person with whom you are speaking.
5. Do not label a person unless they label themselves.
6. Maintain a neutral tone of voice when discussing sexuality, gender identity or intersex status.

LGBTI people seeking asylum in the UK deserve to be treated with respect while applying for refugee status. As a result, they must have their stories told accurately and their voices heard clearly. With your help, we can ensure that LGBTI asylum seekers are treated with the dignity that every asylum seeker deserves.

How to help

If you speak another language, consider becoming an interpreter with Clear Voice Interpreting Services. We are a social enterprise which donates all profits to the charity, Migrant Help.

If you speak Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, or Kurdish, and would like to volunteer as an interpreter for LGBTI asylum seekers, contact MicroRainbow. If you would like to help LGBTI asylum seekers in other ways, contact MicroRainbow about volunteer opportunities.

Blog written by MicroRainbow in partnership with Clear Voice Interpreting Services.