RT Article
T1 (In)credibly queer? Assessments of asylum claims based on sexual orientation
JF Legal and criminological psychology
VO 30
IS 1
SP 159
OP 182
A1 Selim, Hedayat
A2 Lindblad, Pia
A2 Vanto, Johanna
A2 Skrifvars, Jenny
A2 Alvesalo-Kuusi, Anne
A2 Korkman, Julia 1977-
A2 Pirjatanniemi, Elina 1966-
A2 Antfolk, Jan
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1915194164
AB Purpose Queer asylum-seekers should be given an opportunity to have their claim evaluated in a fair and unbiased manner. Despite this, research shows they risk having their claims rejected based on stereotypes about sexual minorities. In the present study, we investigated how the Finnish Immigration Service evaluated credibility in asylum claims lodged by sexual minorities. Methods We analysed 68 negative asylum decisions to assess the arguments made to reject the asylum claim. To do this, we developed a detailed coding scheme to investigate the specific themes and credibility indicators cited in the asylum decisions. Results We found that the asylum claims were most often rejected because the applicant's account of their sexual orientation was not found to be sufficiently detailed, consistent, or plausible. Officials appeared to hold assumptions around sexual identity development and interpersonal relationships that are partially unsupported by established psychological science. Conclusions Assessments of SOGI claims would benefit from a greater consideration of the factors affecting queer asylum applicants' ability to describe their claims, including cross-cultural differences in understandings of sexuality, variability in human behaviour, and practical barriers within the asylum procedure.
K1 Sexual Orientation
K1 Queer
K1 Decision-making
K1 Credibility assessment
K1 asylum-seeker
K1 asylum interviews
DO 10.1111/lcrp.12278