He came to the UK seeking to rebuild his life in safety and, after months waiting for a decision, he was granted refugee status back in January this year. However, he is concerned about the effects that this bill will have on other LGBTQ+ people who might seek protection from the UK, like he did.

If passed into law, the Refugee Ban Bill would make it more likely that people seeking safety in the UK will end up locked away in immigration detention, for a minimum of 28 days. This will include LGBTQ+ people, who will face LGBTQ-phobic bullying, harassment and verbal and physical abuse, with serious consequences for their mental health.

After being locked up in prison-like conditions, they could be sent to countries that are dangerous for LGBTQ+ people and where they don’t have any connection or support. 

For example Ghana, a country that this government deems to be safe for men, but in 2021 nine people from Ghana were granted refugee status in the UK based on their sexual orientation. At Rainbow Migration we have  supported people from Ghana, like Adams, who told his story not long ago.