The European Dream: Migration Narratives of Transpinays
Published online on July 03, 2026
Abstract
["International Migration, Volume 64, Issue 4, July 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nLGBTQI+ Filipinos migrate from the Philippines to Europe for several reasons. However, why is Europe a favoured destination, particularly for transgender women of the Philippines? How do intermediaries become instrumental in linking minority migrants to the wider European landscape for integration? This article draws from the author's interviews, focus group discussions, ethnographic observations, and informal meetings with intermediary and support groups based in Europe, from 2003 to 2024. Using queer feminist and humanising methodologies, the results reveal that transpinays consider Europe as a dream destination for reasons pertaining to relational, security, safety and opportunities. It is reflected that for local and regional intermediaries based in Europe using humanising feminist approaches which mean individuated, intersectional and decolonial approaches to working with trans or queer migrants, are helpful in giving migrants some opportunities to learn and integrate better in the collective dreamland that queer Filipinos hope to call their “other home”.\n"]