Born: 1967, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian, later British
Occupation: Human rights activist, former asylum seeker, founder of African Rainbow Family
Known For: LGBTQ+ asylum advocacy, challenging UK immigration policy, LGBTQ+ rights activism among African communities in the diaspora

Summary

Aderonke Apata is a Nigerian-born British human rights activist and prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, particularly those from African nations. After surviving years of persecution in Nigeria for her sexuality, she fled to the United Kingdom, where she fought a high-profile legal battle to avoid deportation. Apata has since become a powerful voice in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, especially in creating support networks for queer African immigrants. She is the founder of African Rainbow Family, an organization that provides support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals of African descent.

Early Life and Persecution in Nigeria

Apata was born in Nigeria in 1967 into a conservative and deeply religious environment. She was raised in a Muslim household and later converted to Christianity. As a lesbian in a country where homosexuality is criminalized, Apata faced brutal persecution. Members of her family and community turned against her. She was subjected to forced marriage, imprisoned, and endured both physical and sexual violence. She also lost her partner to mob violence fueled by homophobic hatred.

Her experiences in Nigeria shaped her resolve to advocate for others who, like her, faced life-threatening conditions because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Asylum Battle in the United Kingdom

In 2004, Apata sought asylum in the UK. Her application faced repeated denials on the basis that she was “not convincingly lesbian” in the eyes of the Home Office. Her case gained widespread attention as it highlighted the UK immigration system’s often dehumanizing and flawed approach toward LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Despite providing extensive evidence and testimonies about her identity and past trauma, the British government initially rejected her claim. She faced detention and the threat of deportation back to Nigeria. However, after years of public campaigns, legal battles, and growing support from the LGBTQ+ community and allies, her asylum was finally granted in 2017.

African Rainbow Family

In response to her personal experiences and the systemic neglect faced by queer African migrants, Apata founded African Rainbow Family in 2014. The organization focuses on providing emotional, legal, and housing support for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers of African origin in the UK. It also serves as a hub for community organizing, public education, and campaigning for global LGBTQ+ rights.

The group has grown significantly and is regarded as a safe haven for people facing both racialized and queer-specific marginalization in exile.

Legacy and Recognition

Aderonke Apata’s activism has made her a respected figure within both the LGBTQ+ and migrant rights communities. Her story has been featured in international media, and she has spoken at various conferences and rallies, calling for the humane treatment of asylum seekers and a more intersectional understanding of LGBTQ+ oppression.

She is also recognized for breaking barriers in how the asylum system views queer identity, particularly for women and Africans, whose narratives are often dismissed or misunderstood.

Selected Quotes

“I never chose to be gay. I was born this way. I would rather die than go back to Nigeria and face persecution again.”
— Aderonke Apata during her UK court battle