A woman who fled homophobic abuse in Northern Cyprus is facing deportation from the UK, despite building a new life in Brighton with her wife.
Hazel Mehmed, 40, and Deniz Alptekin, 47, arrived in Brighton in December 2021 after years of hiding their relationship in the conservative and often hostile environment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The couple began dating in 2010 but were forced to keep their relationship secret for four years due to the deeply ingrained homophobia in their community.
As Hazel explained, “it was really hard for us to come out because, unfortunately, you can’t live freely in Northern Cyprus. Having to hide our real identity was really hard. It’s a small island, and people talk.”
When news of their relationship became public, both women faced severe repercussions. Hazel, whose mother is a well-known figure in the government, said the revelation led to both her and Deniz being fired from their jobs and being ostracised by their families. They were subjected to homophobic abuse and discrimination that left them feeling isolated and unsafe in their own country.
For years, the couple dreamed of escaping to a country where they could live openly, but lacked the resources to do so. During lockdown the couple spoke at a video conference organised by Nicole Conn, after contacting the American film director known for her lesbian-themed films. Touched by their story, Conn’s fans raised funds to help the couple relocate to the UK.
Hazel, a British citizen, entered the UK freely, while Deniz, an EU passport holder, entered as a visitor. They intended to apply for the appropriate visa after settling in. Deniz received a certificate of application, allowing her to live and work in the UK while awaiting a decision.
The couple married in Brighton and began to rebuild their lives and feeling free to express themselves publicly for the first time. “We have been able to walk hand in hand and hug – we cried at our first pride,” Hazel recalled.
However, Deniz’s EU Settlement Scheme application was denied two and a half years later due to “insufficient evidence” of their relationship—something Hazel says is unfair, given the secrecy they were forced to live under in Cyprus. They appealed the decision, explaining the barriers to living as a couple in Cyprus and providing additional evidence.
After a 10-month wait, a second refusal came due to a “passport confusion.” An administrative review followed. The couple say the long process has left them emotionally and financially drained.
Last week, Deniz’s new application—this time for a spouse visa—was also refused. The Home Office cited a breach of immigration rules, claiming she had remained in the UK too long without a valid visa. Hazel argues that they followed all official advice and procedures, and that the delays were caused by the Home Office itself. Now, Deniz must either appeal again or leave the UK for 30 days and reapply—a costly and distressing option impacting Deniz’ health.
The Home Office said it does not comment on individual cases.
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