ADVERTISEMENT

    Ugandan LGBTQ Refugees Seek a Better Life in Columbus

    Stonewall Columbus and Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), are collaborating to create a new program for LGBT immigrants fleeing Uganda.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “We are working on a partnership with SWC (Stonewall Columbus) to help get the story of the experiences of the LGBTQ from Uganda to the public,” said Angie Plummer, executive director of CRIS.

    In 2013, an anti-homosexuality act or “Kill Gays Bill” was passed by the parliament of Uganda. This aggressive bill criminalized same-sex relations sentencing LGBTQ individuals to life in prison, and because of this, many people have sought refuge in Columbus.

    “Many people of the Uganda immigrant community that are already settled here have homophobic beliefs, so the LGBTQ refugees arriving really couldn’t find community with their immigrants here,” said Lori Gum, Program and Pride Coordinator of Stonewall Columbus.

    CRIS and Stonewall wanted to give a platform for LGBTQ refugees to tell their stories and integrate them into the community so they created “The Love Will Win; LGBT Refugee Experience”.  The launch was held on May 14.

    “I think more than anything this presentation really illustrates the diversity of Columbus itself, the progressiveness of Columbus and really Columbus being such a welcoming, progressive LGBTQ town,” said Gum. “It’s really a perfect place for LGBTQ refugees.”

    The event featured two activists — Roscoe Ssekabira and David Senabulya — who were run out of Uganda.

    “It’s an immensely amazingly tragic story,” said Plummer. “It’s so moving and relative to what anybody here could imagine going through… to have the opportunity for them to come over here and start over again and to give them a platform to talk about what is going on in Uganda. I think that was our objective to get folks educated about it and to give the refugees an opportunity to heal.”

    The ultimate goal for the collaboration is to have a paying speakers bureau for the refugees to receive compensation for their time while spreading their stories.

    “Its stories that we expect to be in World War II, but this is happening today and continues to happen today,” said Gum.  “It is very important to give [refugees] a platform for their stories and really making them a part of the community.”

    For more information, visit www.stonewallcolumbus.org and www.crisohio.org.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Ohio GOP Introduces a “Don’t Say Gay” Style Bill

    An Ohio House bill to notify parents of any content in state schools that may contain “sexuality” was introduced before an Ohio Senate committee last week.

    Hope v. Hate: America’s LGBTQ Community Under Attack

    After years of gaining acceptance from the wider community,...

    Ten-Story Building Proposed for Short North

    A local company is looking to partner with Stonewall...

    Photos: Pride Parade 2022

    After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March returned in-person in full force in 2022, with an hours-long parade on a beautiful, sunny Columbus Saturday.

    The Confluence Cast: Council President Shannon Hardin

    As a growing city, we have growing city problems. No one knows that better than Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. With the influx of new residents and new jobs, President Hardin discusses transit as an equity issue, the importance of continuing conversations around race and policing, why we have to do big things now, and the big changes coming to how the city council will be elected, starting next year.
    Amber Hage-Ali
    Amber Hage-Alihttp://amberhageali.wordpress.com
    Amber Hage-Ali, a graduate of Bowling Green State University, is an intern writer who covers local human affairs and environmental issues with creativity and flair. Amber has a passion for the written word and spends her free time getting lost in whimsical stories.
    ADVERTISEMENT