LBGT

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LBGT  -  by Claire MANDON

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people are among the most persecuted individuals in the world today. Seventy-eight nations criminalize same-sex relations. Seven of these apply the death penalty for consensual same-sex conduct. In many more countries, LGBTI people regularly face harassment, arrest, interrogation, torture and beatings.  LGBTI refugees, as forced migrants and sexual minorities, are "doubly marginalized." In this context, the Lesbian and Gaypride Montpellier Languedoc Roussillon, as many other LGBTI's associations, receives constantly LGBT's asylum seekers. The association help them trought gathering as much information as possible about the discrimination and violence they suffer in their own country. The aim : making up a convincing application to obtain the refugee statute in France.

Sergey is one of those asylum seekers, coming from Kazakhstan and this is his story :

« In 1990, I moved with my parents in the region of Orenbourg (Russia). We lived in a small village. Quickly, people of my age started to laught at me and refused to have any contact with me. Because of my eyes, they gave me a girl name. I was not able to talk about my private life. After that, I began working in brick factory. I had a lonely life, and I was very withdrawn by fear of rumors. But at work, everybody began to talk about me behind my back. One day, the word « gay » appears in my pay slip. I was very surprised but also angry and at this time, signs of depression appeared. At night, boys were constantly calling me and laugthing at me. I lived this situation during thirteen years. Seeing my sufferings,  my mother decided to move in the region of Kalingrad, thinking that people were more tolerant towards gay people.  In 2003, we bought a flat in the seaside and we started a new life ».

« I was hired as painter. I was thirty three and still single. People started asking me questions about it. Throught internet, I meet a boy and we started to see each other secretly.  December 31, I was getting ready to go to his place in order to celebrate New Year together.  Close to his house, I saw my neighbour Andrey and other boys, all living in my village. They were totally drunk. Andrey called my name et asked me for a cigarette. When I told him that I didn't smoke, he asked « faggots don't smoke ? ». I wanted to leave but Andrey, who was younger and stronger than me, took me and threw me on the frozen floor. He laid down on me and breathed out on my face laughting. After that, I picked up and I ran to my house. Boys were yelling « fag, hermaphrodite ». Given that I had many scars on my back and I decided to go to the police to press charges. My statement was denied by the police who said « They are boys, you know them and their mentality. If you are affraid, stay at home » ».

« Because of those events, I felt again into a serious depression.  In february I went to a psychiatrist thinking he would help me. I told my doctor that I was gay and that I was in a deadlock hopping to die. The doctor listened to me and advise me to go to the Serbeskova Institute in Moscou to cure my homosexuality. I was against this idea knowing that homosexuality was not a disease. After a long speech about homosexuality contagiousness, he prescribed me an antidepressant and send me back home ».

« At the beggining of July, I found the word « Gay » on my  front door. Right at this moment, I understood that staying in Russia was too dangerous, especially since the promulgation of a new law prohibitting the spreading of homosexuality in different regions. I took the decision to run away in France, hearing that Montpellier was very tolerant towards gay people. July 24^th I left Russia. In case of return, I'll be in danger and I won't bear any other humilation ».

« I ask protection to France ».