A theoretical exploration about the stakes of inclusion in displacement justice

The global refugee regime has shifted under our feet. Over the last forty years, the international system of asylum has expanded to include the queer and trans displaced. At least thirty-seven states accept LGBTIQ refugees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, with some countries providing specialized support. And yet, despite this expansion, there is growing backlash against refugee protection as well as the hard-earned rights of LGBTIQ people. While the refugee regime has expanded, the reality of global protection remains exclusionary. 

The Way Out displays the multifaceted character of displacement for queer and trans people around the world. In centering the personal narratives of LGBTIQ refugees, this book reveals the shortcomings of the existing refugee protection regime’s capacity to provide sanctuary from the harms that drive displacement. Rebecca Buxton and Samuel Ritholtz's focus on these experiences offers a vibrant example of theory brought to life.

January 2026 with University of California Press

Available for pre-order:  https://www.ucpress.edu/books/the-way-out/paper