Flee or Die: The Story of a Gay Man from Nigeria
Culture . Politics . TravelPhillips just wanted to live a normal, happy life. But given his circumstances living in Nigeria was next to impossible. He had only two choices: run as far away as he could and start a new life somewhere else or die.
As a kid, Phillips’ life wasn’t like most. His father is a very important military figure, his mother aimed to create her own business, and he had multiple siblings. His father was often abusive, so their relationship was estranged. As Phillips grew up he started to understand his sexuality more and what he wants in his life. And the thing he wants and likes is not allowed in Nigeria. In fact, it is punishable by imprisonment or even death.
He tried to hide his secret. However, things were not easy. He met a man in his college and they become great friends. They liked each other very much and Phillips would visit him. One day, the owner of the friend’s apartment stepped in on them. In a panic, and half dressed, Phillips was able to flee, as the apartment owner was trying to keep him captive and call the police. That was the last time Phillips saw his friend.
The situation grew more dire as the hours went by. Upon returning home, his mother informs him that she already knew of the situation. The homeowner had told multiple people, and those people told others, including his concerned mother and furious father. “You have to go Phillips, you can’t stay here,” his mother pleaded when he returned. “Your father will kill you.” That was not a joke nor an exaggeration. In a mad dash Phillips grabs whatever money he had, and leaves immediately after.
Scared, Phillips hid under the protection of a classmate named Dammy, who also already knew what was going on. With the help of Dammy and Phillips’ brother, Phillips finds a safe place to stay at with another group of people. But he didn’t know that these people were extorters. It was roughly around 200 Euros to live with these strangers. It was the only chance he had. These people and Phillips’ brother encourage him to leave the country as he would be safer elsewhere. This was a decision he didn’t really have to think about.
This journey was a long and harrowing one. Phillips took a known migration route from Lagos to Agadez, then to Sabha. Sabha, having a large smoldering desert, was known for being the cause of death for the unlucky few who cannot cross it. But once he reaches the end of the desert in Libya, he is forced to end his journey since he ran out of money. Stranded and alone, Phillips works for the local militia while living in a refugee camp. His phone, his only way to stay in contact with loved ones that wanted to support him, was taken away. The money he earned, from working long days in gardens, was immediately given to the militia. He even had to hand over his passport. He did not really have anything to his name other than the clothes he wore. It was like he was a slave. This captivity goes on for two to three months. The cycle is broken only once Phillips is guided to a beach in Tripolis which is 400 miles north. He is told to get on an inflatable boat, that will take him to Italy like he wanted.
This Blessing Was a Death Sentence in Disguise.
Phillips, not knowing how to swim, was forced onto a rubber raft with over a hundred other people, who were all going to Italy for one reason or another, whether it be escaping a terrible economy in Africa, fleeing a war stricken country like Syria, or like Phillips, leaving their home country simply because they is gay. This trip was not an isolated one, for many people traveled to Italy the same why before and after him. Some groups of people sailed on inflatable rafts as well, while others were packed even tighter together in dinghies, which stuffed over 700 people at a time. Children and babies were on most of these boats too. Regardless of the vessel issues always arose.
Phillips, along with others on the raft, were simply terrified. Normally, when refugees try to cross the Mediterranean, they require assistance. This is because the boats only have so much fuel and are not made to be filled to max capacity and sail long distances. In fact, the people who ship them off the Libyan coast, know very well that the rafts cannot make the journey. Essentially, they know these people will die unless they are saved. The rafts are typically saved around 6 to 12 hours after leaving the coast. After that much time, rafts are not even a fifth of the way to Italy.
Europe has funded specials boats designed to help these people in the Mediterranean. However, not every person can be saved. Rafts sink before before they are found. Even when found, life is not a guarantee since people panic and drown before they board. It is no surprise that over 3,000 people have died trying to sail across. Luckily and thankfully, Phillips made it to Italy. However, his trip through those choppy waters changed him.
The Life He Wanted
Even after this nightmarish journey, things did not go smoothly. Phillips traveled more thanks to the help of some people he met. He applies for asylum in Switzerland but is swiftly denied. The Dublin Agreement states that a refugee must apply for asylum in the first European country they enter, which for Phillips would be Italy. In addition, he was supposed to remain in Italy. He quickly left the country when he arrived in order to go to Germany.
He filed an appeal in hopes he would not be forced back to Italy, but that too was denied. Thankfully, with the help of a married couple he had met, he was able to stow away for some time with them. The perfect amount of time passes and it was agreed that Germany would process his asylum application. Phillips lives happily in Mühldorf with the couple that helped him earlier.
Sources:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYzcl4QRgY
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