The field of queer migration studies has significantly evolved in recent decades, with interdisciplinary scholars exploring the unique experiences of LGBTIQ+ people. This scholarship has emphasised that migrations are not solely motivated by economic or familial factors but are interwoven with migrants' sexuality and gender (Lewis & Naples, 2014; Luibheid, 2008). Initially, the focus was on the internal migrations of queer people from rural to urban areas, but the scope has since broadened considerably. By intersecting perspectives emerging from queer, feminist and migration studies, scholars started to focus their critique on the heteronormativity of immigration institutions (Giametta, 2017; Murray, 2015; Raboin, 2017). This literature underscored that individuals subjected to border control—irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity—systematically encounter gendered and racialised violence inherent to such policies. Amidst this, queer migration scholarship expanded its study beyond strictly defined sexuality and gender identities to investigate the power dynamics and inequalities that arise through migration (Lewis, 2019; Luibheid, 2008; Mole, 2018; Seitz, 2017; Williams, 2010). These studies have elicited original theorisations concerning neglected migration histories moulded by post-colonialism, asylum seeking and labour migration.

Over time, the academic focus of queer migration scholars shifted to address issues of forced migration, especially considering growing gender and sexuality-based asylum cases. In this commentary, while we explore global trends in queer asylum scholarship, the United Kingdom will be used as a case study to illustrate wider phenomena considering our work in this context. Our research reveals that, while current legislation acknowledges the validity of claims based on gender and sexual identities, its practical application presents significant obstacles. In September 2023, the then British Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, emphasised that simply being LGBTIQ+ and fearing discrimination in one's country of origin should not qualify for protection.¹ She asserted that discrimination alone seems to warrant refugee protection in the United Kingdom, which is factually inaccurate and reflects anti-migrant sentiments among the political class. Her statements ignored the strict standards set by the Nationality and Borders Act (NABA) 2022, which has raised concerns about its conflict with international treaties. The subsequent Illegal Migration Act 2023 further tightened these policies, mandating the removal of individuals who enter through ‘illegal’ routes.

The complexities inherent in the asylum-seeking process, demonstrated by the UK case, have drawn increasing academic interest, leading to the emergence of queer asylum studies. For LGBTIQ+ individuals, these difficulties are heightened due to the need to demonstrate their sexual orientation or gender identity. Queer asylum studies involve a critical examination of institutional practices, highlighting how immigration systems perpetuate hetero- and cis-normativity. In essence, queer asylum scholarship reveals the increasing visibility and inherent complexities of LGBTIQ+ asylum, aligning with broader global political, human rights and advocacy discourses.

近几十年来，酷儿移民研究领域取得了显着发展，跨学科学者不断探索 LGBTIQ+ 人群的独特经历。该奖学金强调，移民不仅仅是经济或家庭因素驱动的，而且与移民的性取向和性别交织在一起（Lewis & Naples，  2014；Luibheid，  2008）。最初，重点是酷儿人群从农村到城市地区的内部迁移，但后来范围已大大扩大。通过交叉酷儿、女权主义和移民研究中出现的观点，学者们开始将批判重点放在移民机构的异性恋规范上（Giametta，  2017；Murray，  2015；Raboin，  2017）。这些文献强调，受到边境管制的个人——无论其性取向或性别认同如何——系统性地遭遇此类政策固有的性别和种族暴力。在此期间，酷儿移民奖学金将其研究扩展到严格定义的性行为和性别身份之外，以调查移民中产生的权力动态和不平等（Lewis，  2019；Luibheid，  2008；Mole，  2018；Seitz，  2017；Williams，  2010）。这些研究引发了关于后殖民主义、寻求庇护和劳务移民塑造的被忽视的移民历史的原创理论。

随着时间的推移，酷儿移民学者的学术重点转向解决强迫移民问题，特别是考虑到越来越多的基于性别和性的庇护案件。在这篇评论中，当我们探讨酷儿庇护奖学金的全球趋势时，英国将被用作案例研究，以说明考虑到我们在这方面的工作的更广泛的现象。我们的研究表明，虽然现行立法承认基于性别和性身份的主张的有效性，但其实际应用存在重大障碍。 2023 年 9 月，时任英国内政大臣苏埃拉·布雷弗曼 (Suella Braverman) 强调，仅仅作为 LGBTIQ+ 并担心在原籍国受到歧视，不应有资格获得保护。¹她声称，英国似乎仅凭歧视就需要对难民提供保护，这实际上是不准确的，反映了政治阶层的反移民情绪。她的言论无视 2022 年《国籍和边境法》(NABA) 规定的严格标准，该法引发了人们对其与国际条约冲突的担忧。随后的《2023 年非法移民法》进一步收紧了这些政策，要求驱逐通过“非法”路线进入的个人。

英国案例表明，寻求庇护过程固有的复杂性引起了学术界越来越多的兴趣，导致了酷儿庇护研究的出现。对于 LGBTIQ+ 个体来说，由于需要证明自己的性取向或性别认同，这些困难更加严重。酷儿庇护研究涉及对制度实践的批判性审查，强调移民制度如何延续异性和顺式规范性。从本质上讲，酷儿庇护奖学金揭示了 LGBTIQ+ 庇护日益增加的知名度和固有的复杂性，与更广泛的全球政治、人权和倡导话语保持一致。