You didn't hear it from us (13/03/2015)
Here’s a round-up of some of the news, blogs posts and comment we missed this week.
- In the wake of widespread disgust at the Home Office’s handling of Aderonke Apata’s asylum case, openDemocracy highlighted how the government just keep getting its judgements wrong. [Strictly speaking, we didn’t miss this, but Libby rightly thought you should see this wonderful article – Lottie].
- Adolescent hearts of all genders fluttered when Harry Syles of One Direction dropped more hints about his possible bisexuality.
- QWOC published a call for submissions from Muslim-Identified LGBTQ People of Colour.
- King Chan wrote eloquently on solidarity, self-acceptance and belonging in the queer world.
- A lone protester challenged the image used on a Bisexual Awareness Week poster at Spokane Community College. A rep for the College LGBTQI group called it a “lesbian and gay” issue and we at Biscuit rolled our eyes.
- Vlogger… Continue reading
Biscuit shares panel with asylum seeker Aderonke Apata
Last weekend, Biscuit’s editor-in-chief Lottie was privileged enough to join a panel of inspiring lesbian and bisexual woman at the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s Sugar and Spice event. One of these was Nigerian Aderonke Apata, who is fighting to stay in the country in light of a Home Office ruling that she cannot be a lesbian because she has children and has been in heterosexual relationships.
Apata appeared in the High Court last week to challenge the Home Office’s decision to refuse her asylum. During the hearing, Home Secretary barrister Andrew Bird insisted that she was simply someone who had “indulged in same-sex activity”. “You can’t be a heterosexual one day and a lesbian the next day,” he asserted.”Just as you can’t change your race.” Apata was told that the results of her appeal would arrive at the end of the month. Outside the court, Apata fell into the arms of her wife-to-be, Happiness Agboro.
Biscuit’s Lottie Dingle joins Aderonke Apata on a Lesbian and Gay Foundation panel
Apata’s story is a harrowing one. When Apata’s family found out she had a female partner, they dragged her to a Sharia court to be stoned for adultery. A “legal technicality” gave her the time she needed to flee to England. After she left, her female partner of 20 years was killed by vigilantes.
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