LGBT Rights Following Uganda’s Presidential Election

Post submitted by HRC Global Deputy Director Jean Freedberg with contributions from HRC Global Intern Joey McIntosh

Following Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election victory last week, HRC Global attended a roundtable discussion on the situation of LGBT people during and following the election.

Ugandan LGBT activists Frank Mugisha, the executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), and Nicholas Opiyo, human rights lawyer and founder of Chapter Four Uganda, joined HRC and other advocates at the discussion hosted by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.

President Museveni has been in office since 1986 and signed the infamous Anti-Homosexuality bill in 2014. Though the courts subsequently invalidated the law, it created a backlash of violence against the LGBT Ugandan community that persists today. President Museveni won re-election with 62 percent of the vote, however international electoral observers announced that the election “fell short of key democratic benchmarks,” noting the arrest of opposition party members and the government shut down of social media sites.

Another recent law likely to heavily impact the LGBT community and advocates is the Non-Governmental Organizations Act. Passed in November 2015, it requires all non-government organizations to apply for a permit in order to operate and gives authorities the ability to jail the leaders of the organizations if the message of the organization is “against public interests.” Opiyo mentioned that this could stop his own organization, SMUG, as well as threaten the work of other International NGOs operating in Uganda. With President Museveni returning to the presidency, the situation remains grim for LGBT groups and activists to receive permits or to advocate peacefully.

Mugisha does not have much hope that the situation for LGBT people will get better in the near term. The Ugandan government is seemingly growing more insecure after facing strong condemnation and international backlash following the Anti-Homosexuality bill.

“In fact, it is most likely going to see something worse,” Mugisha shared.

Participants in the roundtable asked what the international community could do to help LGBT Ugandans. Mugisha explained the impact of the international outcry over the Anti-Homosexuality bill and suggested that the same international pressure and the “constant bombardment of officials” could be effective against the NGO law. Opiyo also stated that international political, sports and entertainment figures speaking out for equality could also have a positive impact.

Opiyo and Mugisha agreed that the most helpful way to promote the rights of LGBT Ugandans is to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance is strategically directed to organizations and groups who are assisting the most vulnerable citizens.

“Change will not happen quickly,” Opiyo said. “We must be consistent, deliberate and patient.” He asked that advocates, politicians and researchers keep Uganda on their radar, and called for new and innovative ideas to support the LGBT equality movement in Uganda.
HRC has released statements condemning President Museveni for signing the Anti-Homosexuality Act, called for Secretary Kerry to keep the Ugandan government accountable for their actions and has shown support for the LGBT community and advocates.

To learn more about the situation in Uganda, check out HRC Global’s Global Spotlight report about the many human rights abuses facing the LGBT community.

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Transgender Community Rallies in Support of Hillary Clinton

Ahead of the 2016 election, more and more transgender advocates and leaders are announcing their support for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trans United for Hillary, a volunteer effort dedicated to mobilizing transgender people and their allies, launched yesterday.

“During the course of the 2016 election, Trans United for Hillary will provide volunteer opportunities, host events, and release resources for transgender people and their allies to show support for Hillary Clinton,” the group explained.  “From reforming policies related to passports for transgender people to incorporating LGBT rights into U.S. foreign policy, Hillary has a record of results on transgender equality.  This election, Hillary has outlined the most detailed plan for transgender equality ever released by a presidential candidate and has the experience and skills necessary to build on the progress of the last decade.”

Several HRC members, supporters and leaders, including Sarah McBride, Angelica Ross, Ames Simmons, Blossom Brown, Geena Rocero, Jay Brown, Lou Weaver and Meghan Stabler, are a part of the organization’s steering committee.

“I’m honored to join this amazing group of transgender advocates as we work to elect Hillary Clinton,” said Jay Brown. “Secretary Clinton not only has the strongest and most detailed policy plan to improve the lives of transgender people, but as president, she’d be an exceptionally strong force in ensuring we do not lose the legal progress that we’ve made.”

HRC announced its endorsement of Clinton last month at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa.

Secretary Clinton has made LGBT equality a pillar of her campaign. She has vowed to fight for the Equality Act and her detailed LGBT policy platform specifically calls for dropping the ban on open transgender military service, outlawing dangerous “conversion therapy” for minors, ending the epidemic of transgender violence, and supporting HIV prevention and affordable treatment, among other proposals that would advance equality and support the LGBT community.

Her fight is our fight. Find out more about Hillary Clinton’s record on LGBT equality

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