After detailing the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in countries with anti-gay laws. Justin Adkins gives ideas about how to help the oppressed communities in countries where it dangerous to walk down the street. From Huffington Post:
Those of us who live in cities where LGBTQ people have legal protections also need to stop seeing ourselves as saviors. We are not the ones to swoop in and save the “poor, backwards Africans.” I know many of us don’t think that we are doing that, but we still often do by our actions. Instead, we need to ask our friends what they need. We cannot assume that what works in the U.S. will work in Uganda, Russia and Nigeria. We also cannot assume that people in countries and cultures other from our own have the same needs. For example, marriage means something different in different countries. I would argue that legal marriage is not good for Americans either, but what would that look like in Uganda? What is the role that marriage plays in a society? And, what is the role of employment discrimination in a country with a high level of unemployment to begin with? In a country where walking down the street is a life or death decision?
We need to support the LGBTQ organizations like Transgender Equality Uganda (TEU) and Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). We can assist them by sharing their words and statements with the world. Ugandan activists Frank Mugisha, Jeffrey Ogwaro, Kasha Jacqueline, Pep Julian Onziema and Adrian Jjuuko of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law have released a list of suggested actions that we can take (found on Bilerico). That is a place to start.
As a person from the U.S., what can I do?
I can ask people in Uganda how I can help, not assume that I know what is best for them.
I can share their stories.
I can support organizations like Transgender Equality Uganda and SMUG.
I can Share on Facebook and Twitter what is happening in Uganda.