Renowned Nigeria lesbian and activist, Aderonke Apata,47, was rewarded for her passion in the struggle for the rights of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals & Transgender in the UK.
In her statement:
I was asked to bring my supporting documents for my judicial review for the court to look at. What evidence do we have to compile apart from letters from people?
I have a video of myself and my girlfriend making love, so I thought why not just put it in? I cannot afford to go back to my county where I will be tortured, so if I have to prove it with a sexual video, then I have to do it.
I feel so bad it’s got to this stage. It’s such a desperate and precarious situation to be in, very dangerous, because anything could happen to those pictures, those videos.
I want sanctuary. I just want to be protected. I want to be who I am. I am a lesbian and I am proud of it.