A Birmingham community has rallied around an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker currently fighting for her right to remain in the UK. Virginia Wairimu, 51, was born in Kenya and fled to the UK when her safety, along with that of her family, was threatened due to her sexuality. Now living in Bournville , Virginia said her first asylum claim was rejected because the Home Office did not believe she was a lesbian, and they later suggested she could “go back and be discreet.
” She is currently preparing a fresh claim, stating that her life would be "in danger" if she were forced to return to Kenya. Nearly 500 people have signed a petition supporting Virginia's fight to stay in the UK. When approached, the Home Office has stated that applications from individuals who have faced discrimination due to their sexual orientation are considered based on their individual merits.
READ MORE: £100k Grindr gang who trapped victims facing jail over criminal reign of terror “I knew from an early age that my family would not approve of my sexuality,” Virginia told BirminghamLive . Growing up in a strict, Catholic family, as she grew up she became aware of violent attacks against gay people. “This was very frightening to me, and the only way for me to stay safe was to be discreet,” she said, describing a situation that made her feel hopeless and worthless.
Under pressure from her family, she entered a violent, abusive marriage, from which she eventually fled with their baby daughter. As a single mother, Virginia focused on raising her child and became a highly accomplished travel consultant, running her own safari company, which she loved. She met and fell in love with a woman but decided to keep the relationship hidden.
“There were always rumors, but we tried to keep our relationship discreet,” Virginia said. “When it became public against our will, we were both attacked on the street multiple times. “People saw my behaviour as immoral and satanic and felt the need to punish me.
I knew staying in Kenya put my life and my children’s lives at risk. For years, I tried to hide who I was. It was only when I came to the UK that I was able to truly be myself.
” Virginia is one of the Journey Buddies, a peer to peer support system, within the Journey LGBT Asylum Group. (Image: Handout) Fearing for her life and safety, she fled to the UK. While staying with a friend in London, she attended London Pride.
“I had never seen so much beauty,” she recalled. However, her asylum application was a "traumatic" experience. She felt unprepared by her solicitor and uncomfortable with the interviewers' "intimate and private questions.
" Her application was refused, with the Home Office allegedly suggesting she could return to Kenya and live discreetly. "The Home Office said they didn’t believe I was a lesbian, and even if I was, I could return to Kenya and hide," Virginia said. “Why should I have to hide who I am?” “I was very angry, very disappointed,” she continued.
“I can’t go back. I’ll be attacked just for who I am — my life would be in danger. I’d also lose the family I’ve built here.
I don’t want to live a lie anymore.” Nearly 500 people have signed a petition supporting Virginia’s right to stay in the UK as part of the #WeAreVirginia campaign. Virginia has expressed her gratitude for the public’s support.
With her lived experience in the asylum system, she now volunteers to support other LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. She is a member of the Journey Buddies, a peer-to-peer support network within the Journey LGBT Asylum Group, offering one-to-one emotional support to newly arrived members. She is also involved in a community research project with the University of Birmingham and hopes to continue her studies if her latest asylum claim is successful.
“My hope is to continue living here in the UK and contributing to my community,” Virginia added. “LGBT people seeking asylum have experienced trauma — they’ve fled countries where they are seen as criminals. “To have to explain that to Home Office officials, who ask very difficult and personal questions, is incredibly challenging.
That’s why I work to support other LGBT asylum seekers.” When approached, the Home Office said when there is an insufficient amount of evidence provided claims will be refused. A spokesperson added: “It is long standing government policy that we do not comment on individual cases.
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