Challenges faced by applicants with a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (SOGIE)
(REV-OVS-13-3-2)
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Applicants with a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (SOGIE) may have endured difficulties in their country of nationality or habitual residence, such as
- inhumane medical procedures or treatments, involving
- sex-reassignment or “corrective” surgery
- non-consensual medical and scientific experimentation
- forced traditional cleansing rituals or religious exorcisms
- institutionalization
- psychotherapy
- electroshock therapy
- drug injection and hormonal therapy
- sexual orientation conversion interventions
- alienation from family and community, where applicants may
- conceal their SOGIE from their families and community or feel alienated when their family or community is targeting or rejecting them
- suffer sustained family rejection, forced confinement or harassment
- suffer from bullying at school or in the workplace
- restricted ability to receive support for basic needs, where applicants may be
- be unable to obtain proper identity documents, employment, appropriate health care or housing
- face expulsion from school
- mental health issues, where applicants may have
- heightened mental health challenges, due to a history of social isolation, mistreatment and lack of social support in their home or host countries
- experienced homophobia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, dissociation, decreased capacity for trust, and other trauma
- vulnerability to harm, where applicants:
- have suffered or fear sexual, physical and mental abuse, due to inadequate laws, protection and support services
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