Aderonke Apata
Aderonke Apata | |
---|---|
Born | 20 January 1967 LGBT activism, former asylum seeker | (age 57)
Aderonke Apata (born 20 January 1967) is a
Biography
Aderonke Apata was born on 20 January 1967 in Nigeria.
Apata fled Nigeria to
In 2012, after Apata was caught working as a
On 8 August 2017, after a thirteen year legal battle (during which she partly represented herself in court[8]) and after a new appeal from Apata was scheduled for late July, she was granted refugee status in the United Kingdom by the Home Office.[1] The asylum permit Apata had been given would only last for five years, but she would be able to apply for permanent residence in the UK afterwards.[12]
In 2018, Apata started her formal
Personal life
In Nigeria, Apata had a girlfriend after graduating and they lived together in an apartment.[7]
In 2005, Apata was diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attempted to commit suicide when she was in prison facing deportation.[10] In 2012, Apata's former female partner was killed in a vigilante incident.[6] Apata's brother and three-year-old son were also killed in vigilante incidents.[6]
As of 2015, Apata was engaged to Happiness Agboro, who had previously been granted refugee status in the United Kingdom based on her sexuality.[10] As of 2017, Apata resides in the UK.[1]
Awards and honours
- LGBT Positive Role Model Award from the 3rd National Diversity Awards (2014)[13]
- Activist of the Year from the 24th Sexual Freedom Awards (2018)[14]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Taylor, Diane (August 12, 2017). "Nigerian gay rights activist wins UK asylum claim after 13-year battle". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Why the Home Office rejects so many LGBTQ asylum claims". City, University of London. September 10, 2019. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Nigerian LGBTQ Activist Granted Asylum in UK After 13-Year Legal Battle". NBC News. August 14, 2017. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Aderonke APATA". Companies House. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ Apata, Aderonke (January 10, 2018). "Birthday girl! Guess her age Double celebrations on 20th Jan at Manchester Victory Party for Aderonke Apata! Book your ticket here". via Twitter. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dugan, Emily (June 9, 2014). "Aderonke Apata deportation case: 'If the Home Office doesn't believe I'm gay, I'll send them a video that proves it'". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Dunt, Ian (March 3, 2015). "Can you prove you're gay? Last minute legal battle for lesbian fighting deportation to Nigeria". Politics.co.uk. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c Taylor, Diane (22 October 2022). "Barrister says she became legal expert while in Home Office immigration detention". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ a b Ashton, Jack (August 14, 2017). "Nigerian gay rights activist who judge accused of 'faking' her sexuality wins 13-year legal battle for asylum in UK". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Dugan, Emily (April 3, 2015). "Nigerian gay rights activist has her High Court asylum bid rejected - because judge doesn't believe she is lesbian". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Cohen, Claire (March 4, 2015). "Home Office tells Nigerian asylum seeker: 'You can't be a lesbian, you've got children'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Hornall, Thomas (August 14, 2017). "Nigerian Lesbian Granted Asylum After 13-Year Battle Against Deportation". HuffPost. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ "The National Diversity Awards 2014 Winners". National Diversity Awards. September 26, 2014. Archived from the original on October 4, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- ^ "24th Sexual Freedom Awards Finalists & Winners". Sexual Freedom Awards. 2018. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.