Uganda: LGBT activists bravely stage pride parade in Kampala

[Fearless]

“Today I can finally be myself. Usually I have to hide my sexuality to protect myself from being abused,” 26-year-old Rachel Newumbe says, while she is attaching a rainbow coloured flag to a white pick-up truck.

She is a lesbian, but it is only her immediate family and closest friends that know. If the rest of her friends and relatives find out, Rachel is afraid that they will turn their back on her. She did not dare tell anyone that she is participating in the Uganda Beach Pride 2013.

Rachel is taking part in the celebrations together with 200-300 other transgender and gay people, of which the majority are men. The parade is the main event ending the week long Pride festival in the capital city, Kampala. Many participants say, that the parade finally gives them a chance to be themselves and wear the clothes they want to, without fearing for their security.

“If I was walking around Kampala in these clothes in daylight, I am sure people would abuse me. Today I can finally show who I am,” says a transgender man, who only wants to be known as “Bad Black”, because he fears being attacked, when he returns to his usual life...

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/05/uganda-lgbt-activists-bravely-stage-pride-parade-in-kampala/

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Even the darkest clouds can have silver linings.

[JI7]

1. wow, isn't this one of the places trying to pass some anti gay bill

including death penalty for gays ?

they are very brave and i hope it is a sign of change for the better.

[Fearless]

2. Yes it is

[theHandpuppet]

3. Now that's what I call courage

Amazing.

[pinto]

4. Silver linings, so true. Thanks for the post. A gem of a story.

Wish them all well and most of all safety.

[nomorenomore08]

5. Shows that perhaps even in the supposed backwaters of the world, things can change for the better.

nt