press release - NOVEMBER 7TH 2008
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UKLGIG win the Stonewall & Barclays Community Group of the
Year Award
After fighting for over 10 years for the immigration rights of same
sex bi-national couples to achieve equality our work now focuses on
helping lesbians and gay men who face persecution in their home
countries just because of their sexual orientation. Since the asylum
work started in 2004 we have supported hundreds of lesbians and gay
men who have come to the UK from more than 40 countries including
Cameroon, Jamaica and Iran to seek asylum.
This award comes as recognition of the work that we do in supporting
lesbian and gay asylum seekers but also as a sign that the lesbian
and gay community in the UK is not indifferent to the issues that
they face.
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group is honoured to have received
this prestigious award and very grateful to Stonewall supporters who
voted for us and to Barclays for their generosity.
Photos at the presentation at the Victoria & Albert Museum on
6.11.08
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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. Every day, the group receives
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 work 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
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