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Though queer asylum seekers might be relatively small in numbers across Europe, their situation has repeatedly been turned into major political talking points in the migration debate over the years | Photo: C. Chebbi/DW
Though queer asylum seekers might be relatively small in numbers across Europe, their situation has repeatedly been turned into major political talking points in the migration debate over the years | Photo: C. Chebbi/DW

Germany: Right groups slam government plans to cut counseling for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers

Latest update : 2026/04/10
By InfoMigrants Latest update : 2026/04/10

Germany's federal government said it might consider cutting funding for certain asylum counselling services, which could disproportionally affect asylum seekers with an LGBTQ+ background. Rights groups have now issued an open letter, highlighting how this funding cut could undermine the right to protection for queer refugees.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior has announced that it is considering funding cuts for asylum procedure counselling starting next year, angering a number of rights groups and associations who have penned an open letter in response, asking for a fiscal policy that is rooted in the preservation of human rights instead.

The letter was signed by, among others, the Lesbian and Gay Federation of Germany (Lesben- und Schwulenverband Deutschland), the Gay Counseling Center in Berlin (Schwulenberatung Berlin), AIDS-Hilfe Frankfurt am Main, AIDS-Hilfe Giessen and the Rosa Strippe Association in Bochum.

Gay Pride parades held across Europe during the summer months serve not only as a celebration of the rights that LGBTQ+ have achieved but also as a reminder that in many parts of the world, queer individuals still suffer persecution | Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa/picture alliance
Gay Pride parades held across Europe during the summer months serve not only as a celebration of the rights that LGBTQ+ have achieved but also as a reminder that in many parts of the world, queer individuals still suffer persecution | Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa/picture alliance

Read AlsoAs countries toughen anti-gay laws, 'rainbow refugees' seek asylum in Europe

The alliance of 13 organizations said that it is in particular critical of the potential elimination of legal counseling options for LGBTQ+ refugee used to identify their specific protection needs, adding that "professionally qualified, specialized counseling" is required for this demographic to assert their legal rights.

The signatories of the open letter called for the current government under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz to not only maintain funding for counseling services at current levels but also asked for the expansion of finances made available for specialized legal counseling for queer people, saying that resources were already scarce as they stand.

In many countries, showing pride in LGBTQ+ identity is still a criminal act, as seen here during a protest in Moscow, Russia, in 2018 | Photo: I. Kharitonov/dpa/picture-alliance
In many countries, showing pride in LGBTQ+ identity is still a criminal act, as seen here during a protest in Moscow, Russia, in 2018 | Photo: I. Kharitonov/dpa/picture-alliance

Read AlsoFrom fear to freedom: LGBTQ+ migrants seek safety in Germany

Queer asylum seekers need specialized counseling services

The open letter states that many queer refugees need additional legal services made available to them to comprehensively be able to present their reasons for fleeing their home countries.

Experience shows, they argue, that this requires a course of repeated, specialized counseling sessions geared towards the unique requirements of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Without having this specialized support, there could be a high risk that relevant grounds for protection might be overlooked, and that LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in need of protection could find themselves unable to exercise their full rights under international law.

Gay asylum seekers from the African continent report suffering under particularly entrenched patterns of homophobia in their home countries, often leaving them with no choice but to escape to more tolerant nations, where they can live more authentic lives | Photo: picture-alliance/Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto
Gay asylum seekers from the African continent report suffering under particularly entrenched patterns of homophobia in their home countries, often leaving them with no choice but to escape to more tolerant nations, where they can live more authentic lives | Photo: picture-alliance/Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto

Read AlsoDiscrimination persists against LGBTQ+ refugees – both at home and in host countries

An LGBTQ+ interest group in Munich called Sub meanwhile said on Instagram that "queer refugees continue to need competent legal and psychosocial support. Otherwise, their lives and safety are at risk."

Sub Munich added that the government also may not realize that many queer asylum seekers coming to Germany "may not want to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to government agencies immediately upon arrival," as they may have suffered violence, persecution or othering either in their home countries or in transit countries on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity, "particularly when dealing with government agencies."

While they may have fled on grounds of sexual orientation, certain refugee may wish to keep control over whom they entrust with such details about their lives; not having independent experts to provide guidance and counseling in this field may go as far as "endanger their lives," Sub Munich said, highlighting that in several countries, the punishment for homosexuality is still the death penalty.

Read AlsoQueer refugees: UNHCR wants more protections

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