Mapping Histories of LGBTQ+ Migrant Discrimination and Resistance in the US

Although Immigration and LGBTQ+ issues have been at the forefront of political discourse in the US, there is often less of an emphasis on the intersection of these two. LGBTQ+ migrants often face a disproportionate amount of abuse and assault while in transit or detention compared to their straight counterparts, yet receive considerably less media attention. As congresspeople, news sources, and past presidents villainize or infantilize immigrants, what is spread by the general media is often not a true reflection of the nuanced and diverse stories of migration–much less for those with intersecting identities like LGBTQ+ migrants. This project is in collaboration with “DETAINED: Voices from the Migrant Incarceration System,” which aims to provide the public with real narratives of those who previously have been or are currently incarcerated in detention centers. The stories highlight the humanity of migration, deconstructing the false narratives spread by the media. This StoryMap will dissect LGBTQ migrant discrimination and resistance in three sections. The first is an exploration of policy, law, and historical moments that impacted the way in which the US immigration system is set up. The second is a collection of individual LGBTQ migrant stories while in detention or in transit. The third is an exploration of acts of resistance to discrimination, violence, and alienation experienced by LGBTQ migrants. This is meant to be viewed digitally, find the StoryMap at this link: https://arcg.is/108Wan