Call for Papers Shaping Tomorrow: Queer Asylum in Europe Conference

We invite activists, scholars, legal professionals and community organisers to submit proposals for Shaping Tomorrow: Queer Asylum in Europe, an international conference on LGBTIQ+ asylum in a rapidly changing asylum landscape in Europe. This conference will take place November 20 and 21, 2025 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

As many LGBTIQ+ persons around the world face persecution, some are forced to flee their homes to seek protection in Europe. However, going through the asylum process in Europe is not without challenges. LGBTIQ+ refugees face stereotypes and other obstacles in the asylum procedure, unsafe and overcrowded housing, social isolation and inadequate support in mental and physical health issues.

While exploring solutions to these problems, we have to contend with the changing context in which we work. Across various European countries, the rise of far-right political parties, often fuelled by anti-migration rhetoric, has led to increasingly restrictive asylum policies and practices. At the EU level, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, to be implemented in 2026, will introduce both new challenges and opportunities. Stricter border controls may make it more difficult to reach Europe for those fleeing persecution. At the same time, the new Reception Conditions Directive may enhance the support and safety of LGBTIQ+ individuals within reception facilities.

These changes raise important questions: How will these developments affect LGBTIQ+ individuals seeking refuge in Europe? How can we respond to these changes? How can we find new and sustainable solutions?

At the conference we will try to answer these questions through workshops, lectures, (panel) discussions and inspiration sessions. These will be organised in four thematic tracks.

TRACK 1- RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION

This track will focus on the impacts of the changing asylum landscape on reception and accommodation conditions. Subjects to explore include (but are not limited to):

• The impact of the EU Migration Pact and restrictive policies on the conditions in reception centres and housing for LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers;
• Increasing vulnerability due to detention-like reception centres and a lack of safe spaces
• Challenges in access to proper health care;
• The influence of anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in shaping reception policies;
• The opportunities and challenges created by the Reception Conditions Directive.

TRACK 2- NGO SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES

In this track we will focus on the role of support by NGOs and civil society. We will – among others – explore the following subjects:

• Shrinking spaces for civil society under restrictive policies and nationalist governments;
• Legal and financial barriers limiting NGO operations;
• Innovative resistance strategies;
• The role of transnational solidarity networks in facing new asylum realities;
• Tools and opportunities created by the EU Migration Pact.

TRACK 3- ASYLUM PROCEDURES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS

The rise of right-wing politics and the implementation of even stricter asylum procedures will affect LGBTIQ+ people’s chances to obtain refugee status and will provide new challenges for lawyers and allies. Subjects to explore include (but are not limited to):

• Advocating for protection of LGBTIQ+ persons under the EU Migration Pact;
• Policy and practice regarding credibility assessment of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers in several countries;
• Avenues to improve credibility assessment of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers without turning to stereotypes and models;
• How to improve UNHCR’s 2012 Guidelines on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity?;
• Providing evidence of discrimination amounting to persecution and other Country of Origin Information (COI) issues related to LGBTIQ+ people;
• Specific obstacles for lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex people or other SOGIESC subgroups in asylum procedures.

TRACK 4- LIVED EXPERIENCES AND TESTIMONIES

In our fourth track we will delve deeper into the way the changing asylum context affects LGBTIQ+ refugees’ lives. Subjects to explore include (but are not limited to):

• First-hand accounts of navigating increasingly hostile asylum systems;
• Personal stories of resilience;
• The psychological and social consequences of restrictive policies, prolonged procedures and deportation threats;
• Avenues in shaping increased protection for LGBTIQ+ persons.

With the Shaping Tomorrow: Queer Asylum in Europe conference we aim to explore these questions. We plan to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers, activists, researchers, legal practitioners, social workers, and policy officials. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we hope to generate innovative ideas and practices to continue supporting and welcoming LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers.

We welcome proposals for:

• Academic papers or research presentations
• Personal narratives and lived experience talks
• Panels and roundtable discussions
• Creative presentations (poetry, film, performance)
• Workshops and skill-sharing sessions

Submission guidelines:

• Abstract or proposal (150-300 words)
• Short bio (100 words)
• Specify format (paper presentation, workshop, panel, etc.)

Deadline for submissions: 15 August

Submit your proposal as a PDF to [email protected]. Please use “Proposal Shaping Tomorrow Conference” as your subject line.