In commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), Freedom and Roam Uganda

(FARUG) in conjunction with Sexual Minorities, Uganda(SMUG) are hosting this year’s IDAHOT event under the theme” Ending violence and discrimination against LGBT people” on Friday 15th May 2015. The international day against Homophobia and Transphobia(IDAHOT) is when LGBT communities all over the world come together to condemn the injustices suffered by LGBT persons.This year’s event will feature visual and artistic exhibitions about IDAHOT where everyone will be able to write or draw their comments, thoughts and views about Homophobia and Transphobia in Uganda

FARUG will be joined by Partner legal aid service providers who will take us through a one on one session on topics related to the laws that affect LGBT persons and their work in Uganda such as:

• The NGO bill 2015.
• The Registration of person act.
• Human rights of LGBT persons in Uganda.
• LGBT parents

Partner Health care service providers will also be available to discuss with us our health concerns. They will also take us through voluntary counselling and testing session for HIV/AIDS and STIs

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (“IDAHOT”) is celebrated every year on May 17 to mark the landmark occasion of the removal of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1990.

Even though the Anti-homosexuality act was nullified, every now and then LGBT people in Uganda encounter incidences of violence and persecution from the general public evident through:

• Continuous physical threats/violence, attacks, kidnap and torture of LGBT persons.
• Intimidation of the LGBT community(state persecution, media intrusion and the continuous outing of LGBT persons in local newspapers and tabloids, unlawful arrests and blackmail)
• Loss of physical property and income. Many times LGBT people are persecuted to the extent that the public can destroy a house or business premise of a person just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity
• Many LGBT persons have been disowned by their families and banished from their family homes on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

This event will be a platform to reflect and bring awareness to the violence and discrimination suffered by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Uganda.

Communications desk
Freedom and Roam Uganda.
Email: [email protected]| [email protected]
Tel: +256(0)392176977
Twitter:@Far_Uganda
Website: www.faruganda.org