Loading...
|| News ||

READ COMMENTS (14)   MORE News Features Bookmark and Share EMAIL  PRINT 

RECOMMEND 2 readers have recommended this story.

1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3

Uganda's Most Wanted

Victor Mukasa crossed a line in his home country. He came out -- once as a lesbian, once as trans -- and decided not to stay silent about it. Now he fears the worst.


Victor Mukasa may be one of the most wanted men in Uganda.

His crimes? Being involved with initiating a Trans Declaration in 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as having conducted workshops in various parts of Africa that have sparked trans activism.

Mukasa has been in a self-imposed exile for a year from his home country of Uganda after facing years of oppression. He is currently residing in South Africa, working as a program associate with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

The 33-year-old transgender activist was recognized for his human rights efforts as he was named the international grand marshal of Toronto's Pride festivities last month. Mukasa has been working to bring trans issues to the forefront -- something that has rarely ever been in the country's, let alone the region's, list of concerns.

"That signified a lot. Right from the trans march to the Pride parade, there were issues that were being tackled and unity was being included," Mukasa said in a Toronto hotel. "This is a beginning of a new phase of collaboration, cooperation, and the new relationship of the human rights movement of Canada and Africa, which is definitely going to lead us very far."

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. 1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3

READ COMMENTS (14)   MORE News Features Bookmark and Share EMAIL  PRINT 

RECOMMEND 2 readers have recommended this story.

Reader Comments
  • Name: mary njoki
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 6:34:00 AM
    Hometown: kenya

    Comment:

    great article mukasa...we need more of you to fight for our rights but we are behind you all the way

  • Name: Stonewaller
    Date posted: 7/12/2009 12:51:00 PM
    Hometown: Washington

    Comment:

    I am lifelong human rights activist who has participated in many struggles including Black Civil Rights Movement before 1963 March on Washington for Peace, Jobs and Freedom and "3 Days of Rage" following the Stonewall Reb. For what it is worth, I am a White Gay Male. First, "Victor" was a female who came out as a lesbian. Second, Victor was female who transitioned to male. Just as it is not unusual for people to go from hetero to bisexual to Lesbian or Gay identity, it is not unusual for transgender people of varying sexual orientations to identify first as Gay or Lesbian. Some of the above comments indicate not only ignorance about transgender people but to a not uncommon hostitility toward inclusion of transgenders in so-called LGB"T" Movemt.

  • Name: C.J. Atkins
    Date posted: 7/10/2009 10:55:00 AM
    Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas

    Comment:

    Excellent article. Mukasa's reminder to those of us LGBT people who now live a relatively privileged existence here in North America that none of us are free until all of us are free is much appreciated. I hope The Advocate will bring us more stories such as this one.

  • Name: Alison Davison
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 7:17:00 PM
    Hometown: Tucson

    Comment:

    Clearly we still have lots of education to do. If the Advocate's readers are not informed on trans identities, much more work lies ahead for those of us who are trans advocates and educators. Yes, one can come out as lesbian while struggling with gender identity and then transition to male. Conversely, one can live for many years identified as straight or gay male and, after struggling though all of the complexities of knowing you are trans and redefine your orientation because the world now sees you differently. - and I agree, I'd rather see Victor on your cover than Perez

  • Name: Lali Mohamed
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 5:11:00 PM
    Hometown: Toronto

    Comment:

    What a well-written article! Thank you so much for sharing such an important issue about a man who has done such courageous and amazing work in his community. Goodluck to Victor and thank you Chris Jai Centeno for bringing to light such a brave man and all the work that he does!

  • Name: Kate
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 3:40:00 PM
    Hometown: Iowa

    Comment:

    Incredible article. We need more articles about topics like this and less about pseudo-celebs and partying.

  • Name: Sarah
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 3:02:00 PM
    Hometown: Staffs

    Comment:

    That's so sad. He has done great work by trying to support others yet is being hunted down like a terrorist. It's so wrong.

  • Name: Steph B.
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 11:04:00 AM
    Hometown: Ottawa

    Comment:

    Great Article, thanks for including it!!

  • Name: joe bussell
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 9:36:00 AM
    Hometown: rosedale

    Comment:

    I actually learned something by reading the Advocate today. I'm gob smacked!

  • Name: Josh
    Date posted: 7/8/2009 8:05:00 AM
    Hometown: Camp Victory, Iraq

    Comment:

    This is a great story about an important individual trying to improve the lives of millions of oppressed LGBT folks in Africa. To the Advocate editors: Why in the world is Mr Mukasa not smiling on the cover of your print magazine, instead of Perez, who is not particularly deserving? Relegating Mr Mukasa to your web-only edition demonstrates your priorities. This paid subscriber is taking note....



More Online Only
  • Film Awards Shows Gone Gay

    From Rob Lowe singing with Snow White to Madonna and Britney Swapping spit, Adam Lambert's racy AMA performance reminded us of some of the great, gay moments in awards show history.

  • DVDs Hot Sheet: Rihanna, New Moon

    Whether you spend your time jamming to Rihanna's Chris Brown kiss-off "Russian Roulette," in theaters with those lusty male vampires- or curled up on the couch with Scarlett O'Hara, it's a packed week in entertainment.

  • Art The Kids Are All Right

    Photographer Jeffrey Kilmer has dedicated the last seven years to capturing the awkwardness, rebellion, and personal style of young men across the country and around the world. His book, 23% PURE, is a collection of hot guys, far and wide.

  • Film Teen Spirit

    While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

  • Politicians L.A. Confidential

    What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

  • Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

     

    Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.


  • Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

    A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

  • Music France's Latest Export

    He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

  • Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

    The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

  • Theater Video Content Flag Puppet Masters

    When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

  • News Softball With Oprah and Palin

     

    Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

  • News View From Washington: Frank Tells

    This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

Most Popular Stories