LGBT organisation Proud2Be Project has launched a new campaign in support of its Patron, Aderonke Apata, who is currently under threat of forceful deportation back to Nigeria, a country where LGBT people are politically persecuted, imprisoned and murdered.
DURING a recent judicial review, a barrister acting on behalf of the Home Office questioned whether Aderonke could claim asylum on the grounds of being a lesbian when she has children.
Aderonke’s barrister, Abid Mahmood, responded that these were “highly offensive… stereotypical views of the past”.
He continued: “Some members of the public may have those views but it doesn’t mean a government department should be putting these views forward in evidence”.
Now Proud2Be’s WEAREHERE campaign has been launched to support Aderonke by highlighting to government and the general public that many LGBT people are parents, carers and guardians too.
Proud2Be co-founder Mat said: “We are very proud to know Aderonke. She has shown so much support to Proud2Be and we are honoured to call her a friend. This is our way of demonstrating our solidarity with her and those like her who are seeking asylum in the UK on the grounds of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. We are inviting all LGBT people to send in photos of them with their children or alternatively, pictures of their family drawn by their children.”
Identical twin brothers Mat and Jon Price founded Proud2Be nearly four years ago in their mum’s spare room, when they recorded a short video explaining why they are both proud to be gay. Since then a number of high profile LGBT figures, including Stephen Fry, have contributed to what has now become an international campaign.
To join the WEARHERE campaign, email your photos or pictures to info@proud2beproject.org or share them via Twitter using the hashtag #WEAREHERE.
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