documentary to feature grassroots lgbti ugandans

Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

UGANDA – 10 February 2009: Interviews for a documentary, aiming to give voice to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people from rural areas, are underway in Uganda.

Titled Behind the Mirror, this documentary aims to bring to the fore, challenges faced by LGBTI people at grass roots level such as discrimination and their struggle to survive in a hostile and homophobic society.

According to Frank Mugisha of Ice Breakers Uganda many LGBTI Ugandans are treated unfairly, with hatred and lack of respect. 

“However, this is gradually changing because of the visibility of some courageous Ugandan LGBTI activists, as well as more gays and lesbians coming out of the closet”, Mugisha said adding that this documentary will show different faces in the LGBTI community and not the ones of LGBTI activists who are always out there.

He stated that as the Ugandan LGBTI communities demand space, dialogue, and equal rights, to be understood and accorded the same health care rights like every one else in Uganda, the documentary will put faces to those voices.

“In this documentary we will investigate and advocate for responses to the many challenges faced by the LGBTI community in Uganda. It will feature testimonies of LGBTI Ugandans, about their struggle to survive and to comprehend their sexual orientation in Uganda”, Mugisha said.

The documentary is expected to feature various LGBTI communities in Uganda and will address issues such as health care discrimination of LGBTI communities, coming out,  understanding of the transmission and prevention  of HIV/AIDS and will reach out to (men who have  sex with men) MSM to seek out their voices.

Presently Icebreakers Uganda is conducting interviews to see the availability of people to comment on tape and is also planning to start fundraising for the documentary.
 
Asked if it will not be a problem for LGBTI people to be identifiable on the documentary because of the risks involved Mugisha said identities will be concealed for those who are not comfortable but said many targeted people feel that it is about time that they show their faces.

Mugisha said the documentary will be showcased on film festivals, pride marches, on human rights conferences as well as on demonstrations organised by the Ugandan LGBTI community.
To support Icebreakers Uganda on this pioneering project contact admin@icebreakersuganda.org.