As I sit in my office at Wave of Legacy Alliance Initiative in Uganda as the executive director, I am surrounded by the faces of those who have been forgotten. Our ministry, which serves LGBTQ Christians in Uganda, is built on the principles of love, compassion and justice. We believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or profession. As a pastor, I’ve had the privilege of serving some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
But today, I write with a heavy heart, bearing witness to the devastating consequences of a hidden struggle, a struggle that has left Uganda’s LGBTQ community, sex workers and people who inject drugs without access to essential healthcare services, social support and economic empowerment programs. This struggle is not just a moral imperative, but a human rights crisis that demands our attention and action.
The cancellation of U.S.A.I.D. funding has left our community reeling, and the consequences are dire. As a pastor and advocate for the LGBTQ community, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of this decision. It has already perpetuated stigma, discrimination and violence, forcing individuals to live in the shadows, afraid to seek help or report violence. It has denied them access to basic human rights, including healthcare, education and employment. And it has exacerbated social and economic inequalities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and marginalization.
This struggle is not just a moral imperative, but a human rights crisis that demands our attention and action.
At Wave of Legacy Alliance, we have been engaged in this struggle for seven years, and the impact of our work has been remarkable. Our ministry has created a safe space for individuals to find community, support and healing. We’ve seen communities come together to support one another. We’ve watched as people have found the courage to be themselves, to live authentically and to find purpose. And we’ve seen policymakers begin to take notice of the struggles faced by marginalized communities.
I could tell you countless stories. There’s Sarah, a young transgender woman who was forced to flee her home after being beaten by her family. She found solace in our church, where she received counseling, support and a sense of belonging.
But now, with the support cancellation by international aid as U.S.A.I.D., many people like Sarah cannot access H.I.V. and AIDS services. Our church is struggling to maintain its programs. Sarah’s future is uncertain, and she’s not alone. Thousands of LGBTQ individuals in East Africa are facing a similar fate. The cancellation of U.S.A.I.D. funding has not only affected our community but also the entire country of Uganda. The funding was a lifeline for many organizations that provided essential services, including H.I.V. testing, treatment and prevention programs. Without this funding, these services are now at risk of being discontinued, leaving countless individuals vulnerable to H.I.V. infection and AIDS-related illnesses.
The consequences are not just statistical; they are human. They are the faces of our friends, family members, and community leaders who are fighting for their lives. The cancellation of U.S.A.I.D. funding is not just a policy decision; it’s a matter of life and death.
The consequences are not just statistical; they are human.
This was a decision made in the corridors of power, far removed from the reality of our community. But even in the face of such a dangerous decision, we will not back down, and we will not be silenced. We will make sure that the world knows about the resilience and strength of our community. As a grassroots organization, we are doing everything in our power to mitigate the effects of the funding cancellation. We are mobilizing our community, advocating for support from local and international partners and exploring alternative funding sources. As I look around my office, I am reminded of the resilience and strength of our community. We have faced countless challenges, from persecution to marginalization, but we have always emerged stronger. We will continue to fight, to advocate and to demand a better future for ourselves and future generations.
However, the task ahead is daunting, and we cannot do it alone. We need the support of the global community to amplify our voices, to share our stories and to demand action from governments and international organizations. We must hold them accountable for their decisions, and continue to push for policies and programs that recognize the human rights of all individuals.
The decision to pull U.S.A.I.D. funding should be a wake-up call for all of us. It’s a reminder that our work is far from over. We must continue to demand justice, equality and human rights for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or profession—and we must support one another. We need the support of international organizations, governments and civil society organizations to help us break the chains of oppression and challenge discriminatory policies. We need your help to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, provide essential services and advocate for policy reforms that recognize the human rights of all individuals.
We must continue to demand justice, equality and human rights for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or profession.
To the global community, I issue a challenge: let us not turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. Let us not be complicit in the oppression of marginalized communities. Let us instead be agents of change, advocates for justice and champions of human rights. Let us recognize that the struggle for justice and equality is not just a local issue, but a global imperative. And let us work together to create a world where everyone can live with dignity and respect.
I pray that God will stir our hearts, awaken our conscience and move us to action. I pray that God will transform us into change-makers, trailblazers and champions of human rights. And I pray that together, we can create a world where everyone can live with dignity and respect. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations.
As I look to the future, I am filled with hope. I know that there is still much work to be done, but I also know that we are not alone. I know that there are countless individuals and organizations around the world who are committed to fighting for justice, equality, and human rights.
As a pastor, I have seen the worst of humanity, but I have also seen the best. I have seen the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love to transform and redeem, and the impact that one person can have on the world. I am filled with gratitude for the people to whom we minister, who offer me hope every day. I think of the young LGBTQ person who found acceptance and support in our church community. I think of the families who have been torn apart by religious homophobia, but have found healing and reconciliation through our ministry. And I think of the countless individuals who have been empowered to live authentically, without fear of persecution or rejection.
As I look to the future, I am filled with hope. I know that there is still much work to be done, but I also know that we are not alone.
To those who are still struggling, still fighting for their rights and dignity, I want to say that we see you. We hear you. And we are committed to standing with you, fighting for you and advocating for your rights.
And to those who would seek to harm, oppress and marginalize, I want to say that we will not be silenced, deterred or defeated. We will continue to stand up, speak out and fight for what is right.
In the end, it is not about us versus them. It is not about gay versus straight, or Christian versus non-Christian. It is about human beings, created in the image of God, deserving of love, respect and dignity. As a pastor, I am committed to preaching a message of love, acceptance and inclusivity. I will always stand with the marginalized, the oppressed and the vulnerable. No policy decision, however disastrous, will change that.
I pray that we all may be inspired to be agents of change, to be voices for the voiceless, and to be advocates for justice and equality. May we all be empowered to live authentically, to love unconditionally and to serve selflessly. And may we all be reminded of the power of love to transform and redeem, to heal and restore.
