Risking Their Lives for Gay Pride In Uganda

Ugandan LGBT activists

Being gay is a criminal offense in Uganda, and if the Anti-Homosexuality Bill proposed by politician David Bahati passes the Ugandan parliament, then gays would face life in prison for homosexual activity, and the death penalty for acts of "aggravated homosexuality.

The international human rights community has exerted enormous pressure on Uganda in opposition to Bahati's bill, which has languished in parliament since 2009.

Nonetheless, being gay in Uganda, or being supportive of gays and lesbians, continues to be incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening.

In light of the immense anti-gay hostility in Uganda, this is the last place on earth one would expect to find a gay pride celebration, and yet last weekend, it happened.

About two hundred brave Ugandans, gay and gay-friendly, gathered to affirm their LGBT identities and celebrate life. The Pride festivities, which included film screenings and a parade, went off as planned for the most part, though police did raid one gathering to make a few arrests, take names and statements from attendees, and intimidate the crowd.

A few images from the Ugandan LGBT pride parade are included below (photos: David Robinson c/o Advocate). You can learn more about LGBT rights in Uganda in a short BBC documentary linked here (part one) and here (part two).

Facing risks of ridicule, arrest, and personal safety, LGBT Ugandans marched proudly. This is what real bravery looks like.