A number of CSOs inclusive of religious organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations ( NGOs), and professionals bodies, came together on 24th October 2017, to castigate the state and other players for abusing the basic rights of Ugandans as well as hindrance of various organizations from carrying out their mandate without state interference.
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I clearly remember the day- 23rd September 2017; I have been struggling with my inner self for a while now and on this particular afternoon, I felt devastated with what I was feeling inside. I decided to Google for LGBT dating sites where I found ‘one scene’.
RIGHTS 4 HER is an initiative that was formed in 2016 to advocate and champion access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for closeted Lesbian, Bisexual, Intersex and Queer persons both in urban and rural areas. It is a safe space where closeted LBQI persons speak up against prejudice and tackle what it really means to stay in the closet.
On Tuesday, 17 October 2017, a legal consultation convened by the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) and Community Health Services and Advocacy (CHESA) was raided by the Tanzanian Police. The consultation was convened in order to get more instructions and evidence on a case that we plan to file before a court. The case concerns a challenge to government’s decision to limit the provision of certain health services that it had previously provided.
The biggest barrier is trust or lack thereof; people in the closet are always fearful that perhaps we have wrong intentions and will out them at certain point. I have tried to reach out to many people but it is very difficult to garner their trust- a person confirms an appointment with you and later cancels it out because they are scared. I however understand their position and I will be patient.
She strongly believes that sports can be a tool used to fight homophobia. On how she copes with the rumor mill within the game, she says she long decided not to address the issue. “I do not have to reply to their queries- I just let them think whatever suits him. I am there to play a game not share my life story; my concentration right now is towards perfecting my skill and that is all that matters,” OT reiterates.
Asked about the health services seeking trends and averages for these different Key population clusters at MARPI, Majorine explains that the highest percentage of clients are sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), IDUs, transgender persons and lesbians in that order.
We ought to learn from the targets of our enemies, so as to camouflage better and thrive from the hate-environment. To the young people, education is key! Whether gay or straight, as a growing person, education is paramount to opening doors to a sustainable life, so focus and acquire that tool. Coming out is a “sacrifice”, so young people ought to weigh options; what is the cost of being myself and loosing education yet camouflage and attain education?