Leeds: Bisexual man facing deportation to Jamaica has flight cancelled

Jan 13 2014
Written by Scott Roberts

A bisexual man due to be deported to Jamaica today has had his flight cancelled after a protest was held in Leeds.

Supporters of Orashia Edwards, 32, say he is at risk of persecution if returned to the country, due to his sexuality.

Leeds No Borders, who campaign on behalf of LGBT asylum seekers, staged a protest in support of the 32-year-old outside Waterside immigration court on Friday afternoon.

Mr Edwards was due to be deported on Monday 13 January – but his flight has now been cancelled – although he is still at risk of being deported.

His mother says Mr Edwards has been living in Britain for the past 14 years and should not be returned to Jamaica.

He has a five-month-old daughter living in the UK, along with the rest of his family.

Campaigners have frequently documented alleged cases of officials deporting LGBT asylum seekers back to countries where they face homophobic persecution.

The claims have always been denied by the Home Office.

Violent homophobia and transphobia remains a key problem in Jamaican society.

Transgender teenager Dwayne Jones was murdered in the Jamaican suburban parish of St James last July.