New: Publication of the Federal Office’s terminology list for language mediation in asylum procedures with reference to sexual orientation and/or gender identity (SOGI)

The new guide in Arabic, Dari, English, French, Pashto, Persian, Russian, Turkish and Urdu is an invitation to learn more about sexual and gender identities. In Germany, too, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex and queer people (LGBTIQ*) experience marginalisation in their everyday lives, which needs to be addressed sensitively but clearly. Our aim with this guide is to inform, educate and support people in breaking down prejudices against LGBTIQ* people. Uncertainties often arise due to ignorance of the lives, feelings and fears of others. This is why it’s important to have the right words to talk about your own experiences.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex and queer people who have recently immigrated or are seeking asylum need a respectful and sensitive atmosphere where they can communicate their needs. A lot of LGBTIQ* people don’t talk about their problems because they’re confronted with derogatory terms in their native language when they’re being interpreted.

We want to reduce fears and provide a respectful approach and humane terms. A bilingual list of terms on the topic of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) has been created in cooperation with the Lesbian and Gay Association in Germany (LSVD) and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Accordingly, we encourage interpreters and translators to use this guide to support their valuable work and to use it as an opportunity to discuss these topics with each other.

If your team would like to receive free training on the topic, please get in touch.

The guide is also available here on our homepage.

The guide is available free of charge at: queer-refugees@lsvd.de