British Airways: Silence is not acceptable

Dear friends– Rosemary is a lesbian from Nigeria, facing deportation from the UK. Despite clear evidence that she is gay, the UK Home Office does not believe her. She is being forcibly deported to unimaginable danger, terrified that her neighbours will kill her by burning a tyre around her neck. Last month – following pressure from activists – Virgin Atlantic airlines announced that they will no longer accept government contracts to carry out deportations of people like Rosemary.Technically, this decision breaks UK immigration law, but Virgin have decided to take a stand and not be complicit in this inhumanity. British Airways continues to allow its aircraft to be used for these deportations. Friends, will you add your name to our petition and ask the CEO of British Airways to take a clear, public stand for better treatment of all migrants – including LGBT+ people seeking asylum? BA is an iconic global brand, with massive influence. If they speak up publicly about the injustice being committed against LGBT+ people seeking asylum and other migrants, we have a real possibility of pushing the UK Government to change its shameful practices. This weekend, BA will sponsor Brighton Pride and their slogan is "Flying Proud". Let's hold them to this. Let's pressure them to take a stand for all those who need safety and protection from persecution. We need to act fast: each day British Airways remains silent, more people are deported to places where they will face danger or places they have very little connection to. And more people will be forced to humiliate themselves to the Home Office to prove they are "gay enough" to receive asylum. Will you add your name? Will you tell Alex Cruz, BA's CEO, that it's his responsibility to speak up if his aircraft are being used to send people back to poverty, violence, and even death? Will you let him know that Pride means freedom, safety, and dignity for LGBT+ people everywhere, not just waving rainbow flags in Brighton? Every human being has a right to safety and dignity! Sign now! Thanks for going All Out! Matt Beard Executive Director of All Out P.S. We did approach British Airways before launching this campaign. Their response was: "Like all UK airlines, we are legally obliged to comply with UK deportation law." P.P.S. And if you're going to Brighton Pride this weekend, Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants are organising a protest to get British Airways to speak up against deportations from the UK. Click here for more information. SOURCES:  ●︎ British Airways sponsors Pride. So why help to deport LGBT Asylum Seekers – The Guardian, 4 July 2018  ● The Government's treatment of gay refugees shames Britain – The Guardian, 7 June 2018  ● Virgin Atlantic says it will no longer help Home Office carry out involuntary deportations – The Independent, 29 June 2018  ● Still Falling Short: The standard of Home Office decision-making in asylum claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity – A publication by the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group, July 2018 Help fuel global campaigns for LGBT+ equality. Become an Equality Champion with a small, monthly gift! DONATE TODAY

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