“Ministers have ignored clear evidence of harm, refused to act to protect LGB people in detention”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE VIA PEXELS/CANVA
New figures from the Home Office reveal that the number of LGBTQIA+ people in detention has risen by 70% from 2024, Rainbow Migration reports.
Between 494 and 506 LGBTQIA+ people were held in immigration detention in 2025. This number is expected to be higher, as data depends on voluntary disclosures of being LGBTQIA+ to immigration centre staff. This new data is especially concerning after the government recently refused to add lesbian, gay and bisexual people to the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention (AAR), which identifies groups at risk of harm in detention.
Minesh Parekh, policy and public affairs manager at Rainbow Migration, said: “At a time when more LGBTQI+ people are being detained, the government’s review of the AAR policy was an opportunity to extend the same level of protection to LGB people as is already given to trans and intersex people under the policy, and protect people from unnecessary harm. Sadly, Ministers have ignored clear evidence of harm, refused to act to protect LGB people in detention, and are leaving people without the protections they urgently need.”
In particular, LGBTQIA+ people are at risk of harm in detention because they are often alongside other people from the countries they have fled. This can lead to bullying and discrimination, causing long-term effects on their mental health. For many, this will lead to them going back in the closet. However, this is not an option for everyone.
Rainbow Migration reports that an LGBTQIA+ person was recently hospitalised following a violent homophobic attack while in detention. Ayesha Aziz, legal service manager at Rainbow Migration, said: “LGBTQI+ people in detention are in real danger. I recently visited a man in detention who had been assaulted. Staff did not step in to prevent the homophobic attack or protect him, nor did they contact the police about the incident; he ultimately contacted the police himself. He was extremely afraid of violence.”
Following Minister Norris’ appointment to the Home Office last year, 33 MPs wrote asking that his department’s review of the AAR policy recognise the great risk of harm immigration detention poses for all LGBTQIA+ people.
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