Gay Pride in Uganda

Gay Pride in Uganda

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Homosexuality is taboo in almost all African countries and illegal in most including Uganda, where rights groups say gay people have long risked jail. Fear of violence, imprisonment and loss of jobs means few gays in Africa come out.

It’s almost a year since a constitutional court overturned legislation that would have strengthened punishments for anyone caught having gay sex. Influential evangelical pastors have urged Ugandan legislators to reintroduce the law since it was quashed.

. Entebbe, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

On Saturday August 8 members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Uganda celebrate Gay Pride near the capital Kampala.

It’s a community that still largely lives in the shadows.

A march took place in an undisclosed location, with people holding information posters and playing music about being gay in Uganda. They kept the exact location under wraps because of concerns about safety.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

The LGBT people I met during this assignment were humble, energetic, honest, hardworking and full of life. Most were aged between 23 and 30.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

“Bad Black", pictured above, who was born male but prefers to be identified as a trans-woman, stood out for me. Despite the daily barrage of insults because of her feminine style of dressing, she still manages to make friends around her amid a climate of hate.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Time and again I heard from people without jobs because they got fired once their sexuality was in the open. Most of those I met were rejected by their families and sent away. Others still live at home but are in hiding.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Shooting such an assignment was delicate. It was a challenge to put together a story that gives some context about the community and their day-to-day lives.

I was limited to shooting in isolated areas and mostly inside to protect the people portrayed.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

I was working in an extremely difficult environment not least because the stories of many of these incredible people were hard to comprehend. Driven out of home at tender ages, many had to navigate homelessness and abuse.

Most of those I met were facing difficult personal struggles, dealing with family rejection and contending with a homophobic community all around them.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu
Rihana, who identifies as a trans-woman, poses for a picture outside her house in an undisclosed suburb of Kampala.

While homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, many in the LGBT community are more afraid of hostility from their next-door neighbours than from the law. Those who have found places to live are always afraid of who notices them and how the general wider community reacts.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

The solidarity among the LGBT community in Uganda is very strong. Many of those I met are searching to affirm their identity and looking for people they can identify with. Members of the LGBT community in Uganda generally live and hang out together.

In spite of everything, I kept hearing that this year’s Gay Pride would be an act of celebration.

. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu
“I will travel around the country to educate Ugandans about our rights,” said Mahad, who identifies as a trans-woman, after she was announced as the winner of Miss Pride beauty contest.

The overturn of more draconian legislation last year was an important victory, one of many the LGBT community hopes to fight for and win in the future.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s vocal support for gay rights in Africa has given them an extra pinch of encouragement and zeal to fight repressive laws.

Participants in Pride are hopeful that, with time, fellow Ugandans come to accept them as their brothers and sisters.

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Slideshow

A contestant prepares to rehearse for Mr and Miss Pride beauty contest.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

A contestant prepares to rehearse for Mr and Miss Pride beauty contest.

Alicia, a participant of the contest strikes a pose after walking the runway during rehearsals. “I am contesting for Miss Pride to fight against discrimination of the LGBTI community in Uganda,” she said.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Alicia, a participant of the contest strikes a pose after walking the runway during rehearsals. “I am contesting for Miss Pride to fight against discrimination of the LGBTI community in Uganda,” she said.

Participants strike poses during rehearsals.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Participants strike poses during rehearsals.

Contestants watch one of the participants during rehearsals.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Contestants watch one of the participants during rehearsals.

The judges of the Mr and Miss Pride beauty contest take to the catwalk during rehearsals.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

The judges of the Mr and Miss Pride beauty contest take to the catwalk during rehearsals.

Contestants listen to the judges after rehearsals.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Contestants listen to the judges after rehearsals.

A participant practices walking in a wedge shoe.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

A participant practices walking in a wedge shoe.

A participant, who identifies as a trans-woman, speaks to the judges during a rehearsal.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

A participant, who identifies as a trans-woman, speaks to the judges during a rehearsal.

Rihana, who identifies as a trans-woman, said she chose to participate in the contest to inspire those hiding to come out of their shells to celebrate their identities.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Rihana, who identifies as a trans-woman, said she chose to participate in the contest to inspire those hiding to come out of their shells to celebrate their identities.

Rihana sits on her bed in an undisclosed suburb of Kampala.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Rihana sits on her bed in an undisclosed suburb of Kampala.

A note containing security briefs is taped on a door during a gay community gathering.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

A note containing security briefs is taped on a door during a gay community gathering.

Organizers of the Gay Pride meet at an undisclosed restaurant.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Organizers of the Gay Pride meet at an undisclosed restaurant.

They chat at the restaurant.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

They chat at the restaurant.

A participant of Miss Pride beauty contest looks at a phone backstage at an undisclosed venue.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

A participant of Miss Pride beauty contest looks at a phone backstage at an undisclosed venue.

Rihana is seen backstage preparing to showcase jewelries at the contest.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Rihana is seen backstage preparing to showcase jewelries at the contest.

Mahad smiles moments after being crowned as the winner of Miss Pride beauty contest.
. Kampala, Uganda. Reuters/Edward Echwalu

Mahad smiles moments after being crowned as the winner of Miss Pride beauty contest.