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Original poster

First non-binary person granted UK refugee status.

38 replies

Defaultname · 30/12/2020 17:56

"The judgment, in the upper tribunal, was decided in the case of Arthur Britney Joestar from El Salvador after concluding that they would face persecution for their identity if they returned to their home country.

In El Salvador, transgender women have a life expectancy of 35 years due to violence. Across the Latin America and Caribbean region, the figure ranges from 30 to 35 years, compared to average life expectancies ranging from 65 to 81."

"At the appeal hearing, Judge Bruce criticised the previous decision that the Salvadorian police attack was not persecution.

“It was a physical assault, by the police, motivated by nothing other than homophobia,” she said. “Five minutes is a long time to be beaten. I do not doubt that it was for the appellant a terrifying experience." www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/i-felt-like-i-was-born-again-first-non-binary-person-granted-uk-refugee-status

OP posts:
C0NNIE · 30/12/2020 20:09

I don’t understand how it can be safe for this person to have asylum the UK? I thought this was such a dangerous place for trans people that they are being murdered or taking their own lives every day because of trans phobia.

Isn’t that why we have to give up our human rights for them - the right to fair competition in sports, the right to privacy and dignity in hospital wards, clinics and changing rooms, the right to sports scholarships and awards, the right to meet with other women without male supervision, the right to define ourselves, the right to talk about our bodies and so much more?

Original poster
Defaultname · 30/12/2020 19:51

@ErrolTheDragon

Yes, 'nonbinary' is really not a very useful term. The judge describes the attack as homophobic which does often seem to be a major factor in these crimes.
This confused me; at first I thought that they meant that a foreign judge had mentioned homophobia. If I've got it right, the abused person sees themselves as a victim of non-binary-phobia, but the judge thought it was homophobia, but the appeal for refuge was granted due to fears about the safety of a non-binary person.
OP posts:
RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 30/12/2020 19:50

@ErrolTheDragon

I'm glad we're civilised enough to give refuge to people who suffer such homophobia/transphobia, especially at the hands of their police.
Absolutely
thinkingaboutLangCleg · 30/12/2020 19:36

Trust the Guardian to repeat unlikely-looking claims without bothering to check.

In El Salvador, transgender women have a life expectancy of 35 years due to violence. Across the Latin America and Caribbean region, the figure ranges from 30 to 35 years, compared to average life expectancies ranging from 65 to 81.

I’ve seen this claim made many times, but have never seen any evidence to back it up.

FWRLurker, thanks for finding the much more believable report that 35 is the average age of a transgender murder victim.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that more than half of all murder victims, worldwide, are under 30 years old.
www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/GSH2013/2014_GLOBAL_HOMICIDE_BOOK_web.pdf

Siablue · 30/12/2020 19:23

I also think this is a good thing. They were subjected to a brutal attack. I hope they find safety and peace.

ArabellaScott · 30/12/2020 19:17

I saw that, Errol. Seemed a bit of an oxymoron, if person is non-binary they can hardly be homosexual, can they?

ErrolTheDragon · 30/12/2020 19:16

Yes, 'nonbinary' is really not a very useful term. The judge describes the attack as homophobic which does often seem to be a major factor in these crimes.

ArabellaScott · 30/12/2020 19:15

Poor person. Glad they have found safe haven here and hope they thrive.

What happend to the transwoman who applied to NZ for asylum due to UK transphobia, btw?

Original poster
Defaultname · 30/12/2020 19:02

I hate the idea of anyone being beaten and bullied; in a perfect world, such things wouldn't happen, and no-one would need to seek refuge.

People will bully others for the slightest reason. Fourty years ago, my uncle got shouts of 'Jesus Christ' and accusations of effeminacy because he had shoulder-length hair.

If I understand what 'non-binary' means, it's people who don't conform 100% to the stereotypes associated with their sex, in terms of behaviour and dress. This would mean that everyone is non-binary, so I don't think the term is very useful.

OP posts:
Imnobody4 · 30/12/2020 18:56

Hmm, so this really is a safe country for transpeople. Always said it was.

Quaagars · 30/12/2020 18:29

@ErrolTheDragon

I'm glad we're civilised enough to give refuge to people who suffer such homophobia/transphobia, especially at the hands of their police.
Same
FWRLurker · 30/12/2020 18:28

It’s good to provide people asylum based on persecution due to any protected characteristic I think. So good for them, I’m sure they’ve need through many horrors and I hope they can find a better life!

That 30-35 “life expectancy” number for Latin American transsexuals is debunked though. While not totally clear, it appears to refer to the average age of murdered trans women in those countries (which makes sense, as younger people are more likely to get murdered, particularly people in prostitution as many LA trans women are).

www.thestranger.com/slog/2019/09/23/41471629/is-the-life-expectancy-of-trans-women-in-the-us-just-35-no

ErrolTheDragon · 30/12/2020 18:27

I'm glad we're civilised enough to give refuge to people who suffer such homophobia/transphobia, especially at the hands of their police.