Ian McKellen Backs Uganda Safehouse

The Peter Tatchell Foundation is funding a new community project to support LGBT+ victims of persecution in Uganda with help from Sir Ian McKellen. The Dauglas Project coordinated with Out & Proud African LGBTI (OPAL) will provide safe housing & farmland to grow food & generate income to sustain the project. It will offer mutual support, sports activities & facilitate the development of creative skills in music & dance. The aim is to uplift LGBT+ Ugandans suffering homelessness, unemployment, poverty & social exclusion on account of their sexuality or gender identity. Abbey Kiwanuka of Out & Proud stated, “The project plans to support around 30–80 LGBT+ people in its first year. Farming will help provide food & potentially generate income, while a small music & recording facility will develop creative skills & possible employment opportunities.” Peter Tatchell concluded, “LGBT+ Ugandans are living under some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world, with maximum sentences of life imprisonment & even execution by hanging. Many face rejection by their families, eviction from their homes & dismissal from their schools & jobs. They also suffer mob violence & police harassment, blackmail & sexual assault. Homelessness & poverty are widespread. We are proud to help fund this project, which will provide housing, employment, skills training, income, food & a LGBT+ social & friendship network. It is about helping vulnerable LGBT+ people survive today & securing their long-term future.” Sir Ian McKellen who helped fund the project praised PTF donors for their “generosity & solidarity with LGBT+ Ugandans facing persecution.” He said the project was an “important & valuable lifeline” for LGBTs outcast & under threat.

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