In the fall of 2009, an anti-homosexual bill was proposed in the Ugandan legislature. Itself a response to a presentation from American Christian fundamentalists, the bill sparked an international outcry as it targeted lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals for harassment, abuse, and even extermination.
“Reluctant Activists: Fundamentalism and LGBT Rights in East Africa” highlights the experiences of LGBT in East Africa. Panelists will address how the push for anti-gay legislation throughout the region has been affected by increased activism at the local level and consider what these proposed initiatives mean for greater civil societies. They will also discuss how these initiatives are being incorporated into new legislation, the importance of homosexuality as an issue in upcoming elections throughout the region, and how advocacy organizations and activists can best respond. The panel is augmented by personal narratives from Kenyan and Tanzanian citizens. Other speakers include documentary filmmakers Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright, the Reverend Patty Ackerman of the Unitarian Universalist Church, and Jesse Hawkes, executive director of Global Youth Connect.
New York City, NY; NYC