More than 100 brave LGBT Ugandans marched in Kampala this weekend for the second annual Pride parade.
And unlike last year, Uganda’s first Pride, there are no reports of arrests or attacks. (See the photo gallery here.)
Ugandan activists, who stepped out in wigs, heels and colourful costumes, waved rainbow flags and carried signs saying, “I’m gay and very proud.” The theme this year was Still Here, Still Going Strong.
Along with holding the march, Pride organizers screened the film Call Me Kuchu, hosted a red-carpet cocktail and dinner party, and crowned Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, a clergyman and LGBT rights activist, as the grand marshal.
News reports from Uganda say police stayed away from the event despite organizers giving them advanced notice. Last year, police broke up the Pride march and detained several activists.
In Uganda, where the infamous “kill the gays” bill calls for gay people to be punished with the death penalty, LGBT people live in a constant state of fear. The Sexual Minorities of Uganda (SMUG) coalition, which organized the march, has been carrying out advocacy and research despite ongoing persecution and a hostile anti-gay climate. The bill remains on the parliamentary order paper.
Check out Xtra‘s gallery of photos from Uganda’s second Pride here.
For more coverage from Uganda, click here.
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