Many Hands One Heart hold St Helens show for LGBT asylum seekers

In partnership with St Helens-based arts organisation Heart of Glass, Merseyside charity Many Hands One Heart organised the event at Lucem House on Tuesday, May 17.

Taking place on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the event consisted of musical and dance performances to celebrate the lives and achievements of LGBT people.

The event included musical and dance performances celebrating LGBT groups and culture

Educational talks were also given to highlight the plight of LGBT groups around the world, with a particular focus on LGBT asylum seekers who may be forced to return to countries where their identity is illegal or stigmatised.

The government's recent Immigration Bill was a centerpiece of this focus, which aims to resettle any person entering the country illegally in Rwanda.

Many Hands One Heart, a Liverpool-based charity which supports LGBT asylum seekers and refugees, brought the event to St Helens to spread their message further across Merseyside and reach more people affected by these issues.

Arthur was granted refugee status in the UK for fear of persecution back in El Salvador

Arthur Britney Joestar, a gay non-binary individual, helped to set up the charity after fleeing El Salvador and was granted refugee status in the UK due to the threat of persecution if Arthur was to return.

Arthur, 30, said: "We celebrate [IDAHOBIT] every year as an open space where LGBT people can tell their stories and highlight the difficulties they still face in the UK.

"But also we educate people on what is going on for LGBT groups around the world and where LGBT asylum seekers are being sent back to places where there is a risk to their lives.

"We wanted to bring the celebration to St Helens to reach more people across Merseyside but also to start a movement which tackles the difficulties facing asylum seekers, often brought on by the Home Office."

As well as celebrating stories of LGBT people and raising awareness of international issues, the Merseyside charity also offers a "safe space" for people to come together and support those who may have been through similar struggles and experiences.

The event also included educational talks about the struggles facing LGBT people around the world

Arthur added: "At Many Hands One Heart, we want to create a place where people can come to be themselves and feel a part of a community.

"A lot of the people we support have suffered the same struggle and we are here to offer support and make people feel less isolated.

"We had a great response from people in St Helens and I feel really proud to have held the event and send a clear message to people about the issues facing LGBT people."