LGBTQIA+ Asylum Seekers Directed to Dorset’s Controversial ‘Floating Prison’

Several LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking asylum in the UK are anticipated to be transferred to the Bibby Stockholm barge located in Dorset, according to information shared by a charity organization.

The UK Home Office resumed the process of relocating asylum seekers onto the barge on the 19th of October, after it was temporarily evacuated in September due to the detection of legionella bacteria within its water system.

Rainbow Migration, a charity dedicated to assisting LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers in the UK, expressed its concerns over the barge relocation plan. They have become aware of several of their service-users receiving official notifications about their imminent transfer to this barge.

A representative from the charity voiced their concerns, labeling the barge as a “floating prison.” They highlighted the potential trauma for LGBTQIA+ individuals, many of whom have escaped dire circumstances and threats to their lives.

In a statement to PinkNews, the spokesperson conveyed, “Forced to live in cramped spaces, LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers face heightened risks, including discrimination and harassment, especially from those harbouring phobic views against them. Trans and intersex individuals are particularly vulnerable.”

The overarching sentiment is clear: concerns about the barge’s conditions, resembling that of detention centers, and the heightened anxiety felt by those expected to move there.

Advocacy groups, human rights proponents, and the government have had ongoing debates about the Bibby Stockholm’s appropriateness as a housing solution. This intensified after the legionella bacteria revelation, known to cause serious respiratory illnesses.

Despite concerns, the UK government remains resolute in its decision. As per recent data, 50 individuals are currently aboard the barge. The Home Office has projected that the Bibby Stockholm might eventually accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers.

The barge initiative aims to economize the housing expenses of those awaiting asylum verdicts, as the standard approach has been hotel accommodations. Yet, Labour questions the cost-efficiency of this strategy. Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary, suggests the barge’s expenses far exceed that of the usual asylum housing options. The Home Office counters this claim, stressing that costs would reduce when the barge operates at maximum capacity.