08/17/2007
Gay Ugandan Community Steps Forward in Plea for Human Rights
Victor Juliet Mukasa, transgender leader of the Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), an umbrella organization of LGBTI groups, bravely stepped forward with approximately thirty other members (some masked) of the LGBT community,to hold an unprecedented press conference
"Please, let us live in peace. Stop persecuting us. God created us this way. We are children of God as well. I am a transgender. I was born with a vagina but my mentality is different. In a landmark case, we, Ugandan LGBTI people assembled at the High Court of Uganda two months ago to reinforce our right to privacy, dignity and property. There were no charges against us. We had done nothing wrong. We were treated in a degrading and inhumane way. Many of us have suffered similar injustice. We are here today to proclaim that these human rights violations are completely unacceptable."
According to AllAfrica.com, "She said her group went to court because the Police raided her home in 2005, arrested her guest, stole many documents, dragged them to Kireka Police post and forced her guest to strip naked in order to prove that she was a woman."
Homosexuality in Uganda is punishable by life in prison.
The group chanted: "Leave us to live in peace. Don't lay a hand on us, we are the homosexual chidren of God. God created us this way and all we ask is let us live in peace."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 2:20 PM EST by Andy in Gay Rights, News, Uganda | Permalink
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She has more balls than most of the gay men I know.
Posted by: Tread | Aug 17, 2007 2:29:22 PM
Hillary should donate every $1000/head she made at the Abbey to SMUG.
Posted by: MattGaymon | Aug 17, 2007 2:36:33 PM
Right on! That took a lot of guts, even for the people who appeared masked. More power to them!
Posted by: Jonathon | Aug 17, 2007 2:43:17 PM
Yes, TREAD, you're right. When you hear about the degradation that gay people in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe suffer, it makes our complaints seem so minor...I mean, compared to what they go through.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Aug 17, 2007 2:44:39 PM
...this is why i come back to your site again and again and again andy...it's inclusive, invirgorating, interesting, informative and insightful...and that's just off the top... this is another great post to see the light of day...keep on...
Posted by: yeahisaidit | Aug 17, 2007 2:54:14 PM
Rock on! What a brave woman! When you think about the day to day struggles of her life it boggles the mind. No one is free until we all are free.
Posted by: Giovanni | Aug 17, 2007 2:54:28 PM
Props,mamma!! You know what, that retard Museveni (Uganda's president), has been persecuting LGBT people for the longest time now. It's time to speak up!! Good job, Mukasa!! And Andy, thanks for this article!
Posted by: Shabaka | Aug 17, 2007 4:17:25 PM
Unfortunately the government dismissed their claim. Check this out...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6952157.stm
Posted by: Shabaka | Aug 17, 2007 4:30:39 PM
How would one donate to SMUG?
Right on, Victor.
Posted by: Brian | Aug 17, 2007 4:48:19 PM
Regardless of the gender identity of this person, I don't think I've ever seen a bigger set of balls!
Mukasa, you freakin ROCK!
Posted by: Zeke | Aug 17, 2007 4:53:50 PM
QUEENS are TOUGH COOKIES, an object of derision and contempt among the gay community but let it never be forgotten that is was the QUEENS who fought at Stonewall and began the rising tide of liberation which will culminate in each and every one of us winning our god given rights to be QUEER. Let an ARMY OF QUEENS be formed, breastplated, metal jockstrapped, lasergun wielding queens to invade Uganda and liberate the people from their homophobia and free the queers! Has Bush even done as much for the Iraqis? Nay, we can all do much more. Fight the good fight. Fight for your right to be QUEER!
Posted by: the queen | Aug 17, 2007 5:23:38 PM
If anyone of your group has the ability to read this,POWER to you and let anyone that wants to help how to reach you.Future generations will thank you for it.You're heroes.
Posted by: Corey | Aug 17, 2007 8:36:36 PM
Now that is BRAVE human. Makes those asshole firefighters in San Diego look like the weak human beings they really are.
BRAVO
Posted by: ShawnSF | Aug 17, 2007 8:59:32 PM