WESTMINSTER WEST-By Ugandan law, LGBTQ Ugandans face 20 years in prison. The "crime" of homosexuality is punishable by death. Ugandan organizations that work with the LGBTQ community risk huge fines and can have their operating licenses revoked.
In the face of these threats, many Ugandan LGBTQ activists and others have had to flee their country to save their lives. John Abdallah Wambere left Uganda and settled in the Boston area, where he was granted asylum. Wambere founded the nonprofit group AmeriGanda International to assist other LGBTQ Ugandan refugees living in the U.S. and other countries as well as those still living in Uganda.
According to Wambere, "Ugandan LGBTQ folks and refugees are in danger and need a community like us so they can access healthcare services, basic needs like food and water, transport to doctors' appointments, to pick up lifesaving medications for those living with HIV, or to simply have a roof over their heads."
A group of Windham County residents have organized a benefit house party on Thursday, June 20, at a private home in Westminster West to raise funds for this work.
Local musicians, spearheaded by Patty Carpenter and Verandah Porche, have volunteered to perform. Carpenter and Porche are writing an original song about this situation to premiere at the event. An informal group of cooks, "the Putney Kitchen Queens," will prepare a meal featuring traditional Ugandan cuisine.
Wambere will speak about the reality of LGBTQ Ugandans and the mission and work of AmeriGanda International, which he now leads as its president.
For more information about this event, or to donate, contact [email protected].
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.