Fletcher, Claire; (2024) Queerly Faithful: The experiences of religion for those seeking asylum in the UK. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis explores the intersection of queer subjectivity, asylum seeking and experiences of religion in the UK context. A main assumption present in asylum decision-making is that religious belief and queer subjectivity is incompatible. Therefore, the key question of this research asks How do queer people experience religion before and after arrival into the UK to claim asylum? Those claiming on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity are expected to fit into certain presentations of queer subjectivity, such as a rejection of religious belief. This research highlights how narrow stereotypes are not only incorrect but limit people’s ability to gain refugee protection. To answer the overarching question, this thesis explores three key areas: country-of-origin (CoO) experience, the intersection of the legal and social circumstances in the UK asylum context, and interlocutors’ experiences of religious responses within displacement. Data was collected using life history interviews, and semistructured interviews with NGO, legal and faith practitioners, and were supplemented with the use of additional sources including, newspaper articles, grey literature, and artistic expressions of queer subjectivity within the asylum system. The findings of the research show the complexity of interlocutor’s experience with religion in CoO contexts and challenges dominant narratives of a homogenously homophobic global south, and, in fact, people exert immense effort and employ a range of different strategies to remain within their CoO. In the UK context, analysis reveals how the intersection of the legal asylum process and the social circumstances of those with queer subjectivities pose challenges to providing the ‘right’ evidence and subjectivity to be recognised as an ‘ideal queer’. Finally, I present interlocutors’ experiences with religion from their arrival to the UK. This experience demonstrates the development of a lived practice of religion, that shows the multiple ways people can be religious and queer.

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