4.2. Western frame of reference vs. SOGIESC throughout the world
When someone flees to Belgium because of their SOGIESC, they often come up against a Western frame of reference about LGBTI+ persons and the life that would go with it. As a result, there is often a lack of understanding of experiences of non-Western LGBTI+ persons.
For example:
- There is a perception in the West that all LGBTI+ persons yearn to be ‘open and proud’ of their identity. If you do not share this desire, you encounter a lot of misunderstanding.
- Religion is often considered irreconcilable with gender and sexual diversity. For instance, when someone says they are strictly Muslim and also a lesbian, people sometimes find it hard to accept.
- In the West, it is often thought that gay men have a more feminine expression and lesbian women have a more masculine expression. When this is not the case, people are less likely to believe you.
However, there is a lot of diversity in the perception of SOGIESC worldwide and you can look at it from multiple perspectives. You can see that in the photo series below. Move your computer mouse over the photo to read more information.
This diversity is often forgotten, not noticed, not recognised or not taken into account because we start from our own frame of reference. They are more complex than what we know, as they take on a specific role that cannot be compared to our Western context. They do show the diversity that exists. In addition, it is also striking that they face similar exclusionary mechanisms.
Do you want to know more about diversity throughout the world? Take a look at the pages “Hoe worden gender -en seksuele diversiteit wereldwijd begrepen?” and “Kwaadwillige denkkaders en misbruik” from the toolkit Safer Spaces for LGBTI+ Asylum Seekers. You can also check out the interactive map full of genderdiverse cultures.