My life as an LGBTQ asylum seeker in the UK

Although the UK is more tolerant than the country they fled, the government's persecution of migrants and LGBTQ people, as well as the labyrinthine asylum system, continues to make torture survivor King feel unsafe.

Missing Voices is a new series from Huck centring and platforming the voices of those ignored or left out of some of the biggest debates in politics. 

Back in my home country I was persecuted and tortured. They not only attacked my identity as an LGBTQIA+ person, but my very existence as a human being. Because of what happened to me, I had to flee my home and leave everything behind.

My life before was a very dark place. I was openly persecuted, abused and violated all because I refused to conform to the rule of a cruel government. I found myself in complete desperation and despair, struggling with physical and severe mental trauma.

Right now, I’m more settled in my mind. But I still experience flashbacks of the darker times in my life. But I do now see hope in my future. For the first time, I have ambition to focus my life on contributing to society and giving back to other people who’ve experienced torture and persecution.

Being an LGBTQIA+ person in the UK has been a wonderful experience for me – it’s such a complete night and day situation from where I’ve come from. Before I lived in fear constantly as there is danger at every corner should you ever reveal your true self in anyway.

Since I’ve been in the UK, I’ve been able to take part in Pride marches. And I’ve felt totally elated. I’ve been so happily surprised to be generally accepted by the British public – many of whom join the marches and show their unconditional support. I’ll never forget the first Pride march I took part in. I painted and carried colourful banners and placards, sending a clear message of love and acceptance.

Peckham Pride: Resistance and celebration by London's migrants and queers Read more

Although this Government is more tolerant than the one I fled from, some of the things I hear the people in power saying frightens me. Just last year, the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that ‘being gay is not enough to claim asylum’ and that many people are lying about their sexuality to “game” the UK asylum system.

I was so incredibly saddened to hear this. LGTBQIA+ people are tortured in many countries around the world for who they are and who they love. Their pain is no less than any other refugee. And we deserve precisely the same protection too.

When things like this happen, it feels like all my fear – like a noose around my neck – is once again tightening. I’m not only scared for myself, but for other refugees who face the very real threat of being returned to unbearable discrimination, persecution, oppression, and in some cases even death. Comments like this really highlight the complete lack of compassion and understanding by the current UK Government.

The anti-refugee rhetoric and sentiment in the UK sometimes threatens to send me into the depths of despair. It makes me feel like I’m in a dingy in the sea bouncing along holding onto the ropes as another wave of hopelessness hits me. It can feel like the people in charge of this government only want to punish us – people like me who’ve fled war and torture – and pretend like we’re not just human beings trying to find a safe harbour, recover, rebuild our lives, and contribute to society.

I claimed asylum on religious grounds - this is not a "loophole" Read more

Can there not be more understanding on how difficult the UK asylum system is for people who’ve fled unimaginable things? It’s such a yoyo experience – to not know for sometimes years on end where you might stand, or what might happen next. I can’t tell you the tremendous impact that this has had on my physical and mental wellbeing. Waiting in limbo for a decision on my claim is the hardest thing.

The UK has historically been a beacon for justice and fairness which has now been totally thrown aside. The Government is now driving people away from these shores no matter what the cost. The people who are arriving are men, women and children who’ve already been through so much. History will judge the UK harshly on this and how it continues to destroy the very foundation of British justice and international law.

I have seen with my own eyes and experienced that most people in the UK are kind and want the people fleeing indescribable horrors to be treated with compassion. I’ve also seen how the British public are turning away from the Government’s cruelty – just a few weeks ago we saw how many people turned up stop the Home Office immigration round ups in London. Even when so many are experiencing personal difficulties with the cost-of-living crisis and the gross unfairness in our society, all they want to do is extend a hand of love and understanding. If it were not for this – and for the various organisations like Freedom From Torture who’ve supported me over the years – I don’t think I could have gone on.

King is a client at Freedom from Torture


Read more Huck Election content here.

Enjoyed this article? Follow Huck on Instagram.

Support stories like this by becoming a member of Club Huck.

Latest on Huck

Red shop frontage with "Open Out" branding and appointment-only signage.
Activism

Meet the trans-led hairdressers providing London with gender-affirming trims

Open Out — Since being founded in 2011, the Hoxton salon has become a crucial space the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Hannah Bentley caught up with co-founder Greygory Vass to hear about its growth, breaking down barbering binaries, and the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Cyclists racing past Palestinian flag, yellow barriers, and spectators.
Sport

Gazan amputees secure Para-Cycling World Championships qualification

Gaza Sunbirds — Alaa al-Dali and Mohamed Asfour earned Palestine’s first-ever top-20 finish at the Para-Cycling World Cup in Belgium over the weekend.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Crowded festival site with tents, stalls and an illuminated red double-decker bus. Groups of people, including children, milling about on the muddy ground.
© Alan Tash Lodge
Music

New documentary revisits the radical history of UK free rave culture

Free Party: A Folk History — Directed by Aaron Trinder, it features first-hand stories from key crews including DiY, Spiral Tribe, Bedlam and Circus Warp, with public streaming available from May 30.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Weathered wooden building with a tall spire, person on horseback in foreground.
Culture

Rahim Fortune’s dreamlike vision of the Black American South

Reflections — In the Texas native’s debut solo show, he weaves familial history and documentary photography to challenge the region’s visual tropes.

Written by: Miss Rosen

A collage depicting a giant flup for mankind, with an image of the Earth surrounded by planets and people in sci-fi costumes.
Culture

Why Katy Perry’s space flight was one giant flop for mankind

Galactic girlbossing — In a widely-panned, 11-minute trip to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere, the ‘Women’s World’ singer joined an all-female space crew in an expensive vanity advert for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains its apocalypse indicating signs.

Written by: Emma Garland

Three orange book covers with the title "Foreign Fruit" against a dark background.
Culture

Katie Goh: “I want people to engage with the politics of oranges”

Foreign Fruit — In her new book, the Edinburgh-based writer traces her personal history through the citrus fruit’s global spread, from a village in China to Californian groves. Angela Hui caught up with her to find out more.

Written by: Katie Goh

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.