Extract from fundraiser email update to friends of Nakafeero and her tribe of Ugandan LGBTQ refugees in East Africa.
By Per Koch, Oslo, Norway
The UNHCR continues to insist that we should not name the country as this may draw attention to the fact that they do help queer refugees in the camp. That is understandable, but it makes it more complicated for us to communicate what is happening. But do not worry, we will find ways of doing that regardless.
Since our last report most of the members of Nakafeero's group have been through embassy interviews. These are, for obvious reasons, not with American authorities anymore, but as I understand it the Canadians are doing their best to help.
Some of the refugees have also been sent to medicals. Hopefully this will mean that at least some members of the group will get out of here. If any of you know of any way to get more countries involved, send me an email ( per.koch@aviana.com ).
Nakafeero tells me that a lot of new LGBTQ refugees have arrived in the camp. The current anti-LGBTQ policies of many East African countries are not helping, and it says a lot about how bad this has gotten when queer people flee from one homophobic and transphobic country to another to escape persecution.
The increasing number of refugees, together with spiking oil and food prices world wide, also means that the local prices are going up. Nakafeero sent me this photo of their empty food cabinet.
This is also a problem for psychological reasons. As I have told you before, Nakafeero and her crew use holiday celebrations to keep their spirits up, and this year, they could not celebrate Eid in the way they normally do. Nakafeero hopes they will be able to have a celebratory meal during Easter, though. As noted before, this is a mixed group, so they celebrate both Muslim and Christian holidays.
One of the trans women in the group was recently attacked by local thugs when she was on the night shift. Nakafeero's group organizes a night watch to protect the members against the mob. She has gotten some medical help, but given the economic situation, Nakafeero tells me they do this on a step by step basis.
And as a side note: Given that this is a transphobic country a lot of trans women in the camp do not present as female. They do not have access to gender affirming health care, and cannot take the risk. The recent persecution of transgender people world wide does not help.
Nakafeero sends her best wishes and warm thanks for the help you have provided.
Per
TRANSCRIPT OF NAKAFEERO'S VIDEO BELOW
Hello Queer Friends and Allies from the whole world. I'm a queer Leader and a proud lesbian advocating for LGBT communities here in East Africa. I'm here to kindly request from everyone who can please help donate any single coin to her fundraiser so that we can have a wonderful celebration of Easter. We shall be grateful for any help. We need almost $500 so that we can have a wonderful celebration of love and solidarity.
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