June is gone, and we celebrated PRIDE month as we continue to uplift ‘Queer Joy as resistance’. This month, our article serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing struggles and unwavering resilience of LBQ womxn within their communities. As we reflect on the past 6 months and look ahead into July, we are reminded of the profound importance of community, advocacy, and self-care in navigating the challenges faced by our community. In case you missed out on our activities, here is a glimpse!
Civic Engagement and political training for LBQ womxn;
On the 3/6/2025, FARUG convened a training on civic and political engagement for LBQ womxn in Uganda emphasizing on power through participation. The purpose of this training was to equip womxn with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate safely and effectively in civic and political processes which would foster increased civic awareness, promote safe participation and build advocacy capacity to meaningfully participate. Additionally, to understand the importance of LBQ womxn voices in matter of elections, how the Law affects civic participation for womxn, learn about the electoral processes i.e., key election timelines and structure, highlight what effective political advocacy is, understand safety, collective care as well as selfcare during elections, Understand the civic and political rights, to cultivate love and passion for Ugandan politics irrespective and to build patriotism among LBQ womxn. The training emerged as an essential event for the womxn in Uganda, fostering an environment of learning and solidarity serving as a sanctuary for LBQ womxn, offering them a space to strategize. It has been revealed that the training had a profound impact on LBQ participants’ personal interests, professional endeavors, and organisational strategies, emphasising the importance of intersectionality and themes of the need to participate in civic and political engagements as LBQ womxn.
PRIDE MONTH; Celebrating Queer Joy as resistance;
PRIDE month is observed every June and is a vibrant global celebration, while it champions the entire LGBTIQ+ community, it holds a particular significance for the LBQ womxn. as PRIDE month ends, we utilized this moment to amplify the voices of LBQ womxn, sharing their powerful messages of pride, self-acceptance and hope. These messages resonate as powerful call to action to continue fighting for equality, foster inclusivity and celebrate the vibrant diversity of LBQ womxn. Their pride is not just a monthly observance, but a continuous force for change, inspiring authenticity and empowerment.
Virtual Bi monthly Wellness Activity; ‘Connecting with community in Celebration of PRIDE month’
The LBQ womxn members’ virtual Bi monthly wellness activities are not just beneficial, but also essential. The virtual wellness sessions continue to offer intentional, affirming spaces where LBQ womxn prioritize their self-care, connect in community and address the unique stressors they continue to face due to overlapping experiences of gender and sexuality. We also continue to witness the compounded effects of the increasing anti-rights repression that is significantly impacting the mental health and wellbeing of the womxn, increased societal pressure, anxieties, depression which has caused community isolation, like some of the LBQ womxn going back to the closets among other mental challenges. In honor of the PRIDE month, under the theme; ‘Queer Joy is resistance, we convened a virtual bi monthly wellness activity on 12th/6/2025, a virtual safe space for LBQ womxn to center on grounded and mindfulness practices, community check in, affirmation sharing, messages of pride, joyful vibes, music and celebration of LBQ womxn visibility, resilience, their experiences and wellbeing through storytelling. The virtual safe space further provided coping tools, promoting healing and reduced isolation, as well as promoted community power and joy; acknowledging the importance of mental well-being and self-care as a political act of resilience, rest and resistance.
Don’t forget to keep track with our July wellness journal.
Keep on the watch for our upcoming activities, to stay updated and connected.
Aluta Continua!
