Stories and Videos
In the media
The Home Office did not believe that Kabir was gay because he had learning disabilities
(Buzzfeed – September 2018)
Our Executive Director Leila Zadeh interviewed on BBC Radio 4 following the historic decision in the Indian Supreme Court to decriminalise gay sex (BBC Woman’s Hour 7th September 2018)
Download mp3 here. (The relevant discussion starts at 1.02 mins)
Adam came to UKLGIG after years of feeling lonely and isolated in the UK. He shared his story as part of the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission spotlight month on refugees.
Our trustee Allan Briddock talks about the challenges in ‘proving’ sexual orientation as part of an asylum claim. (Victoria Derbyshire show 5th October 2017 – from 1.51.40)
The people who have fled persecution for being gay (ITV – July 2017)
‘I fled Syria when my father found out I was gay’ (BBC – March 2017)
Syria crisis: What is it like to be a gay refugee ? (BBC – October 2014)
What our clients say
These are the words of some of our clients. They have been edited to remove any identifiable information, such as their countries of origin, dates or names of staff who supported them.
“I am a gay man who has been living in London for several years. My sexuality ‘journey’ has been one that has pushed me to mental boundaries I never thought I would personally experience. I have been faced with hate, vitriol, immense emotional torture and death threats from people I held close to my heart. I have battled low self-esteem, thoughts of self-harm and immense pressure within myself to put an end to my life as I felt I couldn’t live it anymore…until I met up with UKLGIG. To say UKLGIG has saved my life would be an understatement. Through them I have been able to completely turn my life around from being at the lowest points to now being socially active and making friends for life through the men’s support group. If it wasn’t for UKLGIG being encouraging and restoring my faith in myself and showing that my life can get better, I probably wouldn’t be writing this right now. UKLGIG have been incredibly helpful, immensely supportive and unbelievably crucial to me and people like me. The work they do is truly lifesaving and they save the lives of people who have got no more fight left in them.”
“Before I came to UKLGIG I could not even talk to anyone. I feared to come out and tell people about my sexuality, and that I am different. I felt like nobody cared that I existed and I felt invisible. I was vulnerable with mental health issues and suffering with the trauma from my experiences back home. Since I met with UKLGIG, they have linked me into doctors and now I am accessing psychiatric treatment. I feel like I am able to open up more and I now have a solicitor who is representing me. We meet regularly and they always listen to me. I now feel like I have a place that I belong to and that they understand me and my sexuality. I have been encouraged and I am now seeking protection in this country. Everything UKLGIG has done has helped me. I can now recognise myself that I am a human. I have gained confidence and made lifelong friends in the group.”
“I remember very well how my life before UKLGIG and before being part of it. I lived in fear and uncertainty. I felt alone in the world. Without family, without friends and a lot of questions without answers. I didn’t have confidence to talk about me, my life, my problems and my fear. The first time I attended the monthly meeting and after that my life changed. UKLGIG really helped me a lot and I became part of the women’s support group. I always found responses to my questions and now they are my friends and family. I am able to share my story, my problems and my life in confidence and without haunting or fear. I have a place now where I feel myself. I feel that I have the same right like everyone and I don’t live now in fear or haunts. I could never thank them enough for everything they do for us and I can’t imagine my live without being a part of UKLGIG. I just want to see that I meet the most nice and human and kind person who did give me a lot of support and help. Thank you everyone in UKLGIG.”
“Being part of the UKLGIG family has brought much joy and happiness to my gay life. This is charity makes you feel a sense of belonging. You get to meet new people with different backgrounds and stories that touch your heart and feelings. I’ve been with the group for few months and not for a second have I felt any being rejected. I’ve found pride and hope once more ever since I joined the family. They have welcomed and accepted me even when I was ostracised by my own family.”