When I fled to the UK in 2003 to seek asylum, I arrived with cigarette burns on my palms and legs. There were many scars on my face caused by repeated beatings. I had been tortured in my home country, Uganda, because I am gay.
I am lucky and grateful to be here. But I still feel conflicted whenever politicians speak warmly about the Commonwealth. Its ideals bear little resemblance to reality for the millions of people who are lesbian, gay, or trans, and who live in the 29 Commonwealth countries that criminalise their relationships, and, in some cases, threaten their lives.
