LGBTQ+ community protests deportation of gay Venezuelan makeup artist to maximum security prison in El Salvador

The LGBTQ+ community, including activists and city leaders, gathered in West Hollywood on Wednesday, 30 April to protest the deportation of a gay Venezuelan makeup artist to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.

According to supporters of Andry Hernandez Romero, 31, he had no criminal history and was escaping persecution for various reasons, including his sexuality.

He arrived at the US border at a legal port of entry with an appointment and asked for asylum. However, he was detained and held for several months before being deported and transferred to the notorious prison, named the Terrorism Confinement Centre.

Loved ones of Andry have said Romero was deported without a fair hearing and that he was falsely accused of having gang ties. The last time they spoke with him was from a US detention facility on 14 March. After he was moved overseas, he has not been heard from since.

“Andry, a gay Venezuelan man seeking asylum, came to this country believing in the promise of safety and dignity,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Centre. “Instead, he was met with detention, dehumanisation and ultimately deportation.”

“This is the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen happen to a client of ours,” said Lindsay Toczylowski, Andry’s attorney.

His attorneys are demanding that officials act quickly to review Andry’s case and address the serious threats to his safety as a gay man residing in an overseas prison.