From: James Binder /* Written 10:08 pm Apr 16, 1992 by jbinder in cdp:queerplanet */ /* ---------- "IGLHRC: Gay Refugee Status" ---------- */ GAY REFUGEE STATUS-A NEW WORLD TREND? Press Release From the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission March 26, 1992 On March 19th, a gay couple from mainland China was granted refugee status in Australia based upon persecution due to sexual orientation. This ruling is part of a trend around the world in which gays and lesbians are being recognized as a persecuted class of people. Earlier this year, in January, three similar cases were won in Canada. Jorge Inaudi, an Argentinian gay man, was granted political asylum, and later that month a gay male couple from eastern Europe was granted asylum based on a unanamous immigration board decision. "We are thrilled that these cases are expanding the definition of social groups subjected to persecution and entitled to special recognition by immigration authorities internationally. It compliments the efforts of IGLHRC, Lambda and other groups to fight the INS policy of excluding people with the HIV virus from entering or staying in the United States," said Charles Spiegel, a member of the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. There are currently eight other cases based on sexual orientation known to be pending from gays and lesbians fleeing persecution from various countries; one in Australia, five in Canada, and two in the United States. In the past, Austria, the Netherlands, West Germany, and the United States have granted asylum to gay men. This year Canada and Australia have followed suit. "Successful refugee or political asylum cases for gays and lesbians is one way we are documenting our persecution around the globe, which is critical to fighting for our human rights," stated Julie Dorf, Executive Director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). The case of the couple from China adds Australia to the growing list of countries recognizing gays and lesbians as a persecuted social group. The Chinese penal code mandates incarceration for as long as it takes to "re-educate" the individual through "treatment." The IGLHRC has played a critical part in many of these cases, providing needed documentation about persecution of sexual minorities in these coutries. Juliet Morris, who represented the gay couple in Australia, in relating the victory, said "the information you [IGLHRC] provided clinched it for us." For more information contact: Julie Dorf or Russ Gage at IGLHRC 540 Castro Street San Francisco, CA 94114 Phone: (415) 255 86 80 Fax: (415) 255 86 62 Or I will forward your e-mail Jim Binder (jbinder) for IHGHRC