Monitor.co.ug – Katherine Roubos
Kampala, Uganda – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Ugandans held their first-ever press conference at Speke Hotel yesterday to launch a media campaign to advocate for their rights.
A rainbow banner declaring “God created us like this, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI), Let Us Live In Peace” hung above the row of seven panelists, some of whom wore elaborate masks to hide their identity. The atmosphere was almost festive, as many human rights and feminist groups gathered in support.
The English/Luganda statement issued by the Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug), a coalition of four Ugandan LGBTI organisations – discussed issues of HIV/Aids, police brutality and discrimination.
Smug demanded safe access to health care for LGBTI people, saying, “To successfully stop HIV/Aids, we must treat every person with the dignity and attention they deserve.”