200 Years of LGBTQIA+ History

From Shadows to Pride — UK & Global Timeline

Source Record

Matter of Toboso-Alfonso

Why this source is used

Official EOIR precedent decision designated by the Attorney General in 1994, recognising a gay Cuban applicant as part of a particular social group for withholding of deportation.

Start with the answer

Start with the answer How did LGBTQ+ asylum protection develop? LGBTQ+ asylum protection developed as refugee law recognised persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity, then tested whether asylum systems treated claimants safely and fairly. Read the topic guide LGBTQ+ Asylum and Refugee Protection LGBTQ+ asylum protection developed through refugee-law precedents, EU qualification rules, UK Supreme Court case law, inspection findings and detention-policy scrutiny.

Source Status

Publisher
Executive Office for Immigration Review / U.S. Department of Justice
Type
legal
Reliability
high
Cited by
3 pages

Source Links

Open original source https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2012/08/14/3222.pdf Accessed 2 June 2026 Open archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2012/08/14/3222.pdf

Used by Topics

LGBTQ+ Asylum and Refugee Protection

Used by Questions

How did LGBTQ+ asylum protection develop?

Used by Timeline Events

1994 LegalInternational

US Establishes Binding Precedent for LGBTQ+ Asylum

Attorney General Janet Reno designated Matter of Toboso-Alfonso (originally decided in 1990, involving a gay man from Cuba) as binding precedent, formally establishing that gay and lesbian individuals constitute a 'particular social group' eligible for asylum under US law. This opened the door for LGBTQ+ immigrants facing persecution to seek protection as refugees.