This blog is written by one of our former service users for LGBT History Month 2025.
The journey to becoming a refugee in the UK has been long and mentally draining for me as an LGBTQI+ individual from Uganda.
In April 2024, the Uganda Constitutional Court passed the inhumane Anti-Homosexuality Act endangering the lives of all LGBTQI+ people in Uganda with an up to life imprisonment sentence. For a Lesbian woman, fleeing my home country in fear of persecution was a decision born out of desperation, but the reality of seeking safety has often been at odds with my expectations. LGBTQI+ History Month holds very personal significance for me, not just as a member of the LGBTQI+ community, but as someone who has walked a long, stressful and emotional path to find safety, freedom, and acceptance. Reflecting on this month, I am reminded of the contrast between the growing recognition and celebration of LGBTQI+ history in countries like the UK and the harsh realities faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda, where I was born and raised.
“My existence was one of continuous vigilance.”
In Uganda, identifying as LGBTQI+ is fraught with danger. The laws against LGBTQI+ people are believed to be some of the harshest in the world not forgetting the societal stigma which is suffocating. I grew up in a deeply conservative community where the very idea of being different was treated as a moral failing or, worse, a criminal act. The fear of being “discovered” became a constant companion, an invisible weight that dictated every aspect of my life, from how I dressed to the friendships I cultivated. My existence was one of continuous vigilance.
For every fleeting moment of solidarity, there were countless others marked by fear of rejection, violence, or being outed. Amidst this, the words and activists like Dr. Stella Nyanzi in her work Homosexuality in Uganda: The Paradox of Foreign Influence, she highlighted the complexities of queer existence in Uganda and the impact of international advocacy. The late David Kato, often called the father of Uganda’s LGBTQI+ movement who laid a foundation of courage and advocacy that continues to inspire. These individuals reminded me of the resilience and tenacity required to fight for equality in the face of overwhelming hostility.
Seeking asylum in the UK
Amidst suffocating circumstances, moments of clarity emerged when I found a way out to the UK with hope of acceptance and freedom. My journey to safety was neither simple nor linear. Seeking asylum was a deeply isolating and emotionally challenging experience. Arriving in the UK, I naively believed that freedom would be immediate and unconditional. The reality, however, was more complex. The process of claiming asylum required me to recount the most traumatic and intimate aspects of my life, over and over again, to strangers. The system demanded evidence of something that is often intangible: my identity and my fear.
Throughout this process, organizations like Rainbow Migration and Women for Refugee Women became lifelines. They offered not just legal support but a sense of community a reminder that my journey, though painful, was not unique. These organizations affirmed that my identity was valid and my fears justified. Their advocacy ensured that I was seen as a human being, not just a case file.
“Hope is your greatest strength, it has the power to transform lives and I am a living testimony of this.”
Once granted refugee status, a new chapter began, one filled with both opportunities and challenges. While the right to live openly as an LGBTQI+ person was a profound relief, I was left with the emotional aftermath of suppression and trauma. Am currently on a journey to rebuild my self-esteem, mental wellbeing, exploring my sexuality with no limit and finding spaces where I truly belong. Joining LGBTQI+ networks and participating in events like LGBTQI+ history month festivities have become acts of reclaiming the joy and authenticity that had been denied to me for so long.
“The system demanded evidence of something that is often intangible: my identity and my fear.”
LGBTQI+ History Month reminds me of the importance of visibility and storytelling. Growing up, I had no role models or narratives that reflected my reality as a queer Ugandan. Now, as I share my story, I hope it can serve as a source of comfort and inspiration for others navigating similar journeys. For everyone out there feeling lost and alone, in the process of Asylum or hoping to leave the closet in their home countries, there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Hope is your greatest strength, it has the power to transform lives and I am a living testimony of this.
This month compels me to reflect on the broader struggles faced by LGBTQI+ refugees worldwide. While I have found safety, countless others remain in precarious situations, trapped in countries where being themselves is a death sentence. It is a sobering reminder that the fight for equality is far from over. Advocacy for fair asylum systems, support for LGBTQI+ organizations, and solidarity with those still at risk are essential components of this ongoing battle.
“LGBTQI+ History Month is more than a commemoration, it is a celebration of survival, resistance, and love.”
As I write this, I am struck by the paradox of my journey. The very things that once isolated and endangered me, my identity and my truth are now sources of connection and strength. I have learned that resilience is not about erasing pain but about finding ways to grow through it. My experiences have shaped me into someone who can advocate not only for myself but also for others who continue to navigate the intersection of queerness and displacement.
LGBTQI+ History Month is more than a commemoration, it is a celebration of survival, resistance, and love. It is an opportunity to honor those who paved the way and to amplify the voices of those still seeking refuge. For me, it is a time to acknowledge how far I have come and to recommit to the work that lies ahead.
In sharing my story, I hope to contribute to a growing narrative that recognizes the diversity and complexity of LGBTQI+ lives. Our histories are not uniform, but they are interconnected. Together, we are aiming and fighting for the same goals with resilience, courage, and hope. This month, I celebrate not just my own journey but the collective progress of a community that refuses to be silenced.