This story was originally published by Global Press Journal. WAKISO, UGANDA — Livingstone remembers his first and only sexual encounter with a man. It was when he was in prison in 2016, serving one year for insulting a police officer. Three months into his incarceration, an inmate who had been kind to him asked for […]

A recurring and distressing reality uncovered through our research is the prevalence of sexual assault perpetrated under the guise of ‘correcting’ the sexual orientation of LGBTQ individuals. Close family members and community members often exploit their positions of trust to subject LGBTQ+ individuals to various forms of sexual violence in an attempt to force them to conform to societal norms. This insidious form of abuse not only violates the rights and autonomy of LGBTQ+ individuals but also perpetuates cycles of trauma and fear.

What seemed like an easy task has opened a Pandora’s Box. LGBTIQ Ugandans can write the most hilarious, mind boggling true stories.

For me to welcome FARUG staff in my space is a blessing. I will forever be humbled by this. Thank you FARUG. I have tears of joy in my heart.

Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance a flaw that appears minor or can’t be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations. This however does not mean that LBQT people have mental health illness because of their sexuality.

My heart bleeds for my community.

I could go on and on about the ridiculous nature of the Parliament’s position on these sanctions but the people most at risk, LGBT Ugandans happen to be the proverbial grass on which these giant elephants are fighting. While the Speaker and her cronies blame the somehow all-powerful homosexuals and “bum shafters” for every single problem in their lives (they will soon be blamed for the traffic on Kampala’s roads or the speaker having a bad hair day), LGBT Ugandans are still being harassed, doxxed, murdered, arrested and evicted because of the bad law they orchestrated.

One of the primary reasons they offered for their decision is that the law goes against their values. Just as you would not bring pork to a Muslim picnic, you should not anger the people who are lending you money by going against their fundamental values and beliefs. This does not negate your personal convictions; you do not become a Muslim because you honored their ideals and did not bring meat to their picnic. While laws and regulations are a little more complicated than that, violating an institution’s principles and values by criminalizing, imprisoning, and murdering the most marginalized members of the community it seeks to serve is an obvious justification for action.

Legislators do not only have a duty to legislate Law but impliedly, to pass good Law not influenced by biased public opinion but informed by International and Regional standards, most of which Uganda has signed and ratified. The Bill is a direct attack on sexual and gender identity. Article 21 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as amended guarantees equality and freedom for all from discrimination on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, or social or economic standing, political opinion or disability. ‘Discrimination on the ground of sex’ appends respect for a private life, respect for family and a home.

A 2020 report by Bantwana Initiative of World Education carried out in Uganda on defilement and sexual harassment shows that, “19% of children reported that they had ‘played sex’ with an adult in the past six months. Of the 47% of children that reported receiving a ‘bad touch’ in the past six months, 50% identified a caregiver as the perpetrator, 33% identified a teacher and 17% identified a friend, stranger, or another family member as the perpetrator. Of the 32% of teachers that reported knowing a child that received a bad touch in the past six months, 56% (majority) identified a fellow student as the perpetrator. Where children knew a child that received a bad touch, 34% of children talked with a teacher and 25% talked to a friend.”

As we celebrate InternationaI Women’s day, I dedicate this year to Akina Mama WA Afrika ( AmWa). In the spirit of embracing equity, AmWa generously opened her doors to me, FARUG and the entire LGBT+ Community. FARUG is the AmWa of queer feminist women in Uganda. We shall overcome! I would also love to share […]

Continue praying for LGBTIQ+ Ugandans because the outbreak of another pandemic will only make a dire situation worse!