Elton John ‘very concerned’ about Suella Braverman’s LGBTQ asylum comments
"Leaders need to provide more compassion, support, and acceptance for those seeking a safer future"
Sir Elton John has said he is “very concerned” by comments from the UK Home Secretary regarding LGBTQ asylum seekers.
It follows a speech by Suella Braverman on Tuesday (26 September) where she said being gay wasn’t enough to qualify for asylum.
She also called on world leaders to change the UN Refugee Convention saying it’s no longer fit for purpose. The protocol has existed since 1951 and is signed by 146 countries.
The Home Secretary’s comments were strongly condemned by many. The ex-head of Stonewall, Nancy Kelley, labelled them as “disgusting anti refugee homophobic muck raking.”
Posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, added their thoughts.
“We are very concerned about the UK Home Secretary’s comments stating how discrimination for being gay or a woman should not be reason enough to qualify for protection under international refugee laws,” their statement began.
“Dismissing the very real danger LGBTQ+ communities face risks further legitimising hate and violence against them” – Elton John
They continued: “Nearly a third of all nations class LGBTQ+ people as criminals and homosexuality is still punishable by death in 11 countries. Dismissing the very real danger LGBTQ+ communities face risks further legitimising hate and violence against them.
“Leaders need to provide more compassion, support, and acceptance for those seeking a safer future.”
Speaking to Attitude, Dr S Chelvan, the Head of Immigration and Public Law at 33 Bedford Row, refuted Braverman’s claims.
He has specialised in the field of LGBTQ+ asylum since 2001.
Dr. Chelvan said he knew of no reported cases to back Braverman’s claims, reminding her that “facts are important.”
Rainbow Migration, a charity that helps LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum, has called on Braverman to “stop her cruel rhetoric.” It said she should “create an asylum system that treats people with dignity and compassion.”
The charity also pointed to government statistics showing that in 2022 only 2% of asylum claims included sexual orientation.