White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters this week that Syrians refugees facing persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity would be prioritized in the asylum process.
While he stated that a specific number of slots for Syrian LGBT refugees would not be instituted, Earnest confirmed that the administration included LGBT people among those “deemed to be the most vulnerable,” a designation that the cases of such refugees are prioritized.
The terrorist group ISIS has executed upwards of 30 men in territory it controls in Syria and Iraq for engaging in homosexual acts, typically by throwing them from buildings. A Syrian trans woman was recently tortured and killed by militants from the group.