Att söka asyl som HBTQ+ person: En dramaturgisk undersökning

Sammanfattning: This study aims to provide further knowledge on the social interaction between the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) asylum seekers and their asylum adjudicator from the Swedish Migration Agency (SMA) by applicating Erving Goffman’s (2014) dramaturgical perspective. The study used the following two research questions; (1) How can the asylum seeker use different types of perception guiding techniques according to their professional network to create a credible performance under the asylum investigation?, and (2) What kind of performance disturbances can occur between the asylum seeker and their adjudicator according to their professional network?. To answer these questions the study has applied a qualitative approach by using semi-structured interviews together with a thematic analysis. However, the findings of the study are in strong alignment to previous literature in the field, both regarding studies made abroad and domestic studies. The findings support the notion that SOGIE asylum seekers cannot provide a genuine presentation of themselves to receive asylum status by the SMA. They instead have to present themselves according to the stereotypes, universal assumption and limited knowledge and competence of SOGIE asylum seekers and cases within the SMA. The conclusions of the study can therefore be presented as the need for systemic change of the handling of SOGIE asylum cases to prevent legal and humanitarian violations.