(Barbados Nation) Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Barbados are continuing to seek asylum in Canada, England and the United States because they fear persecution at home.
Investigations by the SUNDAY SUN revealed that, in the past decade, more than 300 gay men and lesbians have sought to relocate abroad through official channels for that reason.
Since 2004 Canada has been the major destination, mainly because the application process is said to be simple and straightforward. According to statistics from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, 63 LGBT refugees from Barbados landed there between 2004 and 2013.
Reports indicated the number has since increased to more than 100. In terms of status determinations from January to June 2015, out of a total of 15 finalisations, nine were accepted and six rejected.
