Gay man forcibly deported from Australia after PrEP and sex toys found in his luggage

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A gay German national was forced onto a flight to Japan after being refused entry into Australia.

As PrEP tablets and sex toys were found in his luggage, Border Force agents accused the man of coming into the country to engage in sex work, according to reports.

This comes just days after same-sex marriage was officially signed into law in the country.

(Getty)

Michael (not his real name) had reportedly been living in Australia for more than two years when he took a week-long trip to Japan after his tourist visa expired.

Flying back into the country, Michael hoped to apply for a partner visa with his boyfriend, Andrew (also not his real name).

The two live together in Sydney, where a colourful celebration of Australia saying yes to marriage equality will take place on New Year’s Eve.

Protests in Australia

Protests in Australia (SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

“It was upon re-entering Australia that he was intercepted by Border Force,” Andrew told the Star Observer.

“They detained him for 24 hours and have put him on a plane since then.”

Andrew alleged that his boyfriend was profiled by agents for appearing “visibly gay”.


Officials asked him to open his suitcase, where they found PrEP tablets and sex toys.

It is not illegal to bring either of these into Australia for personal use.

Despite this fact, guards reportedly confiscated them and even went through Michael’s phone.

They found text messages on the phone which they have since used as proof that Michael was planning to engage in paid sex work.

(SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Andrew was allowed to have two conversations with his boyfriend.

He said that Michael had not been told where he was being held, not been allowed access to legal counsel and had had his communications limited.

The man was reportedly sent back to Japan and arrangements were made for him to fly on to Germany.

Refugee advocate Sarah Smith is assisting with the case.

“I’m extremely concerned that this young man’s human rights have been infringed upon to this degree,” she said.

(Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Cases with Australian border officials are so common that Smith wrote an open letter earlier this year advising people in a similar situation to Michael.

“I understand the helplessness of knowing, that at any moment, on any day (or night), your loved one could be at the mercy of over a dozen armed Australian Border Force officers and that your life no longer belongs to you,” Smith said.

Deportation is a common threat to LGBT refugees, with Germany rejecting LGBT people despite them facing violence if they are deported.