a
Understanding the Anti-Homosexuality Act

Understanding the Anti-Homosexuality Act

Written by Lucretia Ssenyonojo

On August 9, 2023, the Ugandan Constitutional Court upheld the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which criminalizes same-sex relationships and imposes harsh penalties, including life imprisonment. This decision has sparked widespread concern and fear among the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda, leading many to flee the country in search of safety.

The Act has perpetuated discrimination, violence, and persecution against LGBTQ+ individuals, forcing many to live in hiding or seek asylum in neighboring countries such as Zambia, Kenya, and Sudan. However, even in these countries, LGBTQ+ individuals face challenges and discrimination, making their situation precarious.

 

The law has led to:

* Arbitrary arrests and detentions

* Violence and torture

* Forced evictions and homelessness

* Limited access to healthcare and education

* Social exclusion and stigma

 

Many LGBTQ+ individuals have reported being forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their families, livelihoods, and belongings. They often face exploitation and abuse during their journey, and in their host countries, they may encounter:

 

* Discrimination and violence

* Limited access to healthcare and legal protection

* Difficulty accessing education and employment

* Trauma and mental health issues

 

The situation is dire, and the international community has condemned the law, calling for its repeal and protection for LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda and the region. Human rights organizations and advocacy groups continue to push for change, but until then, the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda and beyond remain in danger.

It is essential to raise awareness about this issue and support efforts to repeal the Anti-Homosexuality Act, ensuring the safety and protection of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Unfortunately, this is leading to a harsh anti homosexuality act in the East African region that has badly empowered all the other states in the region to come up with the same similar laws criminalizing their citizens for LOVE. 

These are the causes of the LGBTQIA refugee crisis in Africa which is escalating day by day. 

Click here to join us in the fight for equality, globally by making a donation or even hosting your own fundraiser for our LGBTQIA siblings in Africa

We hope that globally, everyone in the world will take notice of this wave, to understand that it’s here to target us as a queer community at large and then coming up with united voices, solidarity to fight and continue resisting these laws, challenging them and adding a voice to a campaign in Africa thats liberating queer refugees from here.

[Call to Action] Show Solidarity with the Unhoused

[Call to Action] Show Solidarity with the Unhoused

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, a critical moment unfolds before the Supreme Court—a moment that will invariably leave deep imprints on the fabric of our collective conscience and on the lives of countless individuals across our nation. The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, has brought forth a case to the highest court with the potential to criminalize homelessness. As an organization built on the pillars of empowerment and support for the most vulnerable, we at TEP feel compelled to raise our voices against this alarming moment.

Imagine, if you may, the stress and strain of living without the safety of shelter, compounded by the looming threat of being criminalized just for existing, reacting or responding to circumstances—circumstances often beyond your control.

It is a grave injustice when the laws of the land do not protect, but rather persecute, those in the throes of misfortune and a somber reflection of our society when individuals are penalized for seeking the most basic human need for shelter.

Over the last several years, we’ve watched as the rates of the unhoused surge along with the cost of living and the rise in mortgage rates.

Compounding this issue are motions like the Safer Kentucky act, a piece of proposed legislation that has been deemed cruel, and would potentially authorize deadly force against those without homes—a thought that shudders the heart and shakes the spirit, especially for those of us who have had the misfortunate experience of being unhoused in a capitalist society. If unchecked, these movements could lead to a reality where the absence of a home is met not only with indifference but with hostility—a stark contradiction to any society that honestly deems itself as morally just and/or compassionate.

While doing the work that I do at TEP, I have witnessed firsthand how housing insecurities are ravaging our community, as—over 40% of our clients have shared their tribulations of not having any source of income whatsoever and 1 in 5 have indicated they had no place to call home when reaching out to us. Their stories are not mere statistics; they are harrowing narratives of resilience amidst adversity, of seeking dignity while staring down the face of societal neglect.

As members of a community that cherishes inclusion and uplifts the most marginalized, we must now band together more than ever. To align on our values of solving inequities by centering Disabled 2TIGE-BIPOC in our solutions; To advocate for policies that understand, prevent, and compassionately respond to homelessness rather than punish it.

We believe that no individual should be deemed a criminal for simply trying to survive without shelter.

Please join us by signing the petition below urging the Supreme Court to affirm the right to adequate shelter and to protect the human rights of all individuals, housed or otherwise. Let’s unite to alter the trajectory of this conversation—from one that criminalizes to one that humanizes, from punitive action to compassionate policy.

Your voice has power. Your signature is a beacon of hope. Your action is a step towards a future where the inherent dignity of every soul is recognized and upheld. Speak out, show up, and let your humanity echo through the halls of justice.

Together, we can shift the course of history—towards empathy, towards compassion, towards dignity for all.

 

Take Action Now

Safety Exit