A bisexual man due to be deported to Jamaica today has had his flight cancelled after a protest was held in Leeds.
Supporters of Orashia Edwards, 32, say he is at risk of persecution if returned to the country, due to his sexuality.
Leeds No Borders, who campaign on behalf of LGBT asylum seekers, staged a protest in support of the 32-year-old outside Waterside immigration court on Friday afternoon.
Mr Edwards was due to be deported on Monday 13 January – but his flight has now been cancelled – although he is still at risk of being deported.
His mother says Mr Edwards has been living in Britain for the past 14 years and should not be returned to Jamaica.
He has a five-month-old daughter living in the UK, along with the rest of his family.
Campaigners have frequently documented alleged cases of officials deporting LGBT asylum seekers back to countries where they face homophobic persecution.
The claims have always been denied by the Home Office.
Violent homophobia and transphobia remains a key problem in Jamaican society.
Transgender teenager Dwayne Jones was murdered in the Jamaican suburban parish of St James last July.
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| Photo owned by Yorkshire's Evening Post |
A protest has taken place outside an immigration court in Leeds over the plight of a bisexual man who faces deportation to Jamaica.
Supporters of the man, named only as Orashia, say he is at risk of persecution if returned to the country, due to his sexuality.
Leeds No Borders, who campaign on behalf of LGBT asylum seekers, staged a protest in support of the 32-year-old outside Waterside Court on Friday afternoon.
The group said: “Orashia is bisexual and fled Jamaica, a country notorious for its homophobic attacks, to seek safety in the UK. Amnesty’s latest human rights report states that ‘attacks and harassment of LGBTI people were reported to be increasing’ in Jamaica.”
Leeds No Borders added: “As a result of years of trauma and also his treatment by immigration, he suffers from depression and panic attacks. However thanks to the amazing support of Leeds gay support groups such as MESMAC and ReachOUT, Orashia was able to tell his family about his sexuality, be open about having male partners and undergo counselling.
“He was finally starting to get his life back together but everything changed when he was detained at UKBA Waterside Court in early December.”
According to the group, Orashia is due to be deported on Monday 13 January. He has a five-month-old daughter living in the UK, along with the rest of his family.
Campaigners have frequently documented alleged cases of officials deporting LGBT asylum seekers back to countries where they face homophobic persecution.
The claims have always been denied by the Home Office.
Violent homophobia and transphobia remains a key problem in Jamaican society.
Transgender teenager Dwayne Jones was murdered in the Jamaican suburban parish of St James last July.
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