Kenyan Lesbian Granted Asylum in U.S.

A Kenyan lesbian has been granted asylum to remain in the United States who feared returning to her home country due to the likelihood of persecution there.

The woman, who was a nun in Kenya, entered the U.S. on a student visa. After befriending a priest, she came out to him and decided to apply for asylum because of the anti-LGBT climate in her home country. Her name was not made public.

The woman's attorney, Marisela J. Marquez of Cleveland firm Margaret W. Wong and Associates, said her client approached the process correctly, by applying before her visa expired.

"After beginning her studies here, she quickly became aware of her situation, and her choices," Marquez said Wednesday. "So many people wait for a variety of reasons, mostly out of fear of coming forward. While it never is too late, the case becomes immensely more difficult when expiration dates pass."