UNREPORTED!
There are so many voices that go unheard and stories that go untold. This campaign aims to hand the microphone directly to those affected by issues surrounding asylum as BAME LGBTIQ+ people.
CAMPAIGN MESSAGES
Listen to People Seeking Asylum
Far too often, the voices of People Seeking Asylum are clouded by media stories, stereotypes and vocal opponents to immigration and human rights. This campaign seeks to create a space where the world can hear directly from LGBTIQ+ people who have sought, or are seeking, asylum.
Treat us as humans, not numbers
There is a lot of dehumanisation in the global perception of People Seeking Asylum, this is inherited from bias media that aims to spark fear and panic through using headlines that describe ‘waves of illegal migrants’ or portraying people seeking asylum as ‘extremists’ or ‘job stealers’. This kind of discourse invites people to forget that each person seeking asylum has their own unique history and reason for their journey. We are human too.
Put yourself in our shoes
You have far more in common with People Seeking Asylum than you might imagine, we all have families, jobs, beliefs, passions, desires, dislikes or a favourite colour. We all get sick, we all like to laugh, we all wish for our loved ones to stay safe and well. This is especially true if you are part of a minority group like the LGBTIQ+ community or as a person of colour in the UK, as you will understand what it means to crave the freedom to be your most authentic self.
Stand with us!
Unreported! gives you a chance to see the rawest, most vulnerable experiences of People Seeking Asylum, which gives you the tools to be a strong ally:
Read or listen to their words, donate to our cause, sign our petitions, join us at protests or share their voices via our social media.
How to tune in to UNREPORTED!
Short Stories
These are short, impactful stories that we have heard from our service users and have received their permission to share. We post them on our social media but have collated them here for you to read through.
Podcast
Our UNREPORTED! Podcast series gives our service users the chance to speak their unfiltered truth and encourages people to be open and honest, while also allowing for more natural conversation to arise.
“There was just emotion everywhere. I shouted out loud, I started crying. I was literally just sat at a bus stop when my life changed forever. I looked down and saw the word ‘hello’ appear on my phone and I was like, should I even look? It was the same jolt of fear I get every time my phone buzzes. Then I saw the words ‘Good news!’…
I was on the phone with a friend through all of this and he just asked what happened. I said, ‘I’ve got my stay’.
It’s been a long journey since leaving Nigeria, I had my first asylum interview in 2021. Now I pray for the others that are waiting, one day we can all rejoice together.”
Bisi – August 2023
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