The Home Office’s recent support of Pride Month as they change their twitter profile to Pride colours has been criticised in light of their decision to revoke Kenneth Macharia’s right to live in the UK.
Kenneth could face up to 14 years imprisonment for being gay in Kenya, but the Home Office have concluded he faces no risk of prosecution on return to his birth place.
However, where homosexuality is still criminalised by Kenyan law, Kenneth says he is forced to face severe ostracization and imprisonment.
The decision to deport a man to a country where he will be persecuted for his sexuality whilst waving the Pride colours has led to extensive outrage on social media.
Campaigns Director at Change.org Pascale Frazer Carroll tweeted saying “In the same breath as changing their prof pic to a rainbow flag for #PrideMonth, @ukhomeoffice have decided to deport a gay man to a country where he will be persecuted if not imprisoned for his sexulity.”
Fellow teammate and Bristol Bisons player also tweeted highlighting the UK Home Office’s meagre efforts to show support for the LGBTQ+ community stating “#Shame on the @ukhomeoffice. They have changed their profile picture to this to support pride month. Deciding to deny our friend Kenneth Macharia asylum from being persecuted for being gay.”
The petition to ‘Stop the deportation of Ken Macharia’ has now reached 107,531.
A spokeswoman from the Home Office said: "This Government has a proud record of providing protection for asylum seekers fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"All available evidence is carefully and sensitively considered in light of published country information.
"All decisions on claims based on sexual orientation are subject to an additional safeguard reviewed by a second experienced caseworker.”
Mr Macharia is now due to to check into Bridgwater police station on June 6 at 11am.
His club Bristol Bisons are calling on members of the public to show their support and solidarity by joining them there.
