My profound gratitude to the National Diversity Awards Group for awarding me the winner of the Positive Role Model for LGBT National Diversity Awards 2014.
Even as an asylum seeker, the NDA recognised my hard work and relentless activism for equality and human rights especially around the plights of LGBT asylum seekers in the UK.
As a new representative enhancing the equality agenda, the words of the NDA Host Brian Dowling, about this year’s ceremony that:
‘What an incredible evening! Once again The National Diversity Awards amazed me; Bringing together people from all walks of life and standing out as the equality event of the year! The nominees and winners stories were inspiring, and I know many people and organisations will benefit greatly from being recognised in such a way.’ I relate to this and true in my situation!
On the night of the ceremony, I was appointed as one of the high profile Patrons of the Proud2Be Project that empowers all LGBT+ people to be proud of who they are in South Devon.
The incredible Broken Rainbow UK, an LGBT Domestic Violence Charity has recently appointed me as one of their Trustee Board members to identify and empower asylum seekers who are experiencing domestic violence to come forward and access their services.
The National Diversity Awards continues to open the doors of National recognitions of my advocacy, human rights campaigns and activism when I got nominated and included as #41 on the prestigious RainbowList2014 of 1- 101 most influential LGBT people in the UK.
It is by no means, since I won the National Diversity Awards, the prospects of leadership has been unprecedented. I am delighted to announce that I have just been elected BAME Officer of the National committee of LGBT Labour campaigning for LGBT rights.
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Aderonke Apata