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press release - june 23rd 2008
 

Sir Ian McKellen and other illustrious guests support UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group fund raising evening 

At a fund raising evening held on Friday 20 June, an illustrious group gathered to support UKLGIG’s work on behalf of LGBT asylum seekers and same sex bi-national couples.

Sir Ian McKellen, Michael Cashman MEP, Evan Harris MP, Simon Hughes MP and Ben Summerskill spoke to an audience of over 100 people, emphasising the pressing need to help LGBT asylum seekers in the UK and also the need to change attitudes towards LGBT people around the world.

Sebastian Rocca, Executive Director of UKLGIG said: “We are extremely grateful to be able to call upon the support of such inspirational people. Despite the constant pressure of raising funds, we will not only continue our very successful work in helping LGBT people obtain the sanctuary they deserve, but also ensure that LGBT issues are always considered and included in the Home Office agenda”.

The evening was rounded off with moving testimony from an Iranian gay and a Jamaican lesbian asylum seekers, comedy from TetraFlap (a lesbian comedy duo) and a performance from Ngati Ranana – London Maori Club.

Over the last year, UKLGIG has helped more than 200 LGBT asylum seekers by providing information on the asylum process, finding expert legal representation, providing research and a safe environment for mutual support and has continued to give support to bi-national same sex couples.  In the first months of 2008, 12 LGBT individuals supported by UKLGIG, from countries including Jamaica, Pakistan, Uganda, Nigeria, Yemen, Iran and Kenya, have won asylum.

 

Editors' Notes

UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group was founded in 1993 to assist same‑sex, bi‑national couples win the right for foreign partners to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of their relationship.  The work of the group resulted in the first ever legislation in this country giving rights to lesbians and gay men.  From 1997 the group achieved increasing steps towards equality and with many of its recommendations being included in the Civil Partnership Act, immigration equality for same‑sex partners was finally achieved in December 2005.

Since 2004 UKLGIG has shifted its focus towards the problems faced by lesbian and gay asylum seekers.  The group is receiving more and more calls for help from lesbians and gay men seeking the protection of the UK, because they are persecuted in their home country.  There is currently very little support available for them and the group’s asylum seeker project is a vital lifeline - a place to meet others struggling with similar issues, a source of quality legal advice, of support and importantly of hope.

For further details please contact:

UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group
Tel: 020 7922 7812

 

 

... UKLGIG, UK Border Agency, UKVisas

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UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group      -     Registered Charity No 1101400     -      PO Box 51524, London SE1 7ZW