Challenges faced by applicants with a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (SOGIE) 

(REV-OVS-13-3-2)

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