Hello, my name is Brian, An LGBTQ health rights activist from Uganda. I have shared my work with The Guardian, and I welcome you to our GoFundMe page for Ark Wellness Hub - Uganda - a safe space for LGBTQ people in Uganda to access Sexual Health and Mental Health services without discrimination or stigma. For 5 years now, we have been providing free services to our communities and intend to continue despite the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Law that threatens the lives and livelihood of many LGBTQ people, by hindering access to healthcare.

Background:

In 2023, Uganda passed one of the most draconian laws targeting LGBTQ persons - with a provision that calls for health workers to report LGBTQ persons seeking healthcare and Landlords to deny accommodation to individuals and groups/organizations.

As health services providers, we have kept our doors open and continue to support our community with life-saving care and self-care support.

Attacks, evictions, abuse, outings, forced anal examinations and other forms of violence have left our community in despair. Access to Mental health services is expensive and often not appropriate to the challenges faced by queer Ugandans. 1 session usually goes for between $30 to $50 for one person, and this is unaffordable for many people.

Your kind contribution will make sure individuals and groups access free mental health support services.

Visit our website for more about our work https://awhug.org/

Our reality

•An increase in physical, and online attacks of LGBTQ persons.

• LGBT people are hesitant to seek treatment at public hospitals, fearing for their safety, and privacy if their sexuality is made public.

• LGBT people are often refused service at medical clinics, instead being referred to "conversion therapy" As a result, simple STDs become life-threatening, and people turn to the black market to self-treat

• Many transgender persons are using unprescribed hormones from the black market which endangers their life.

Criminalization significantly affects people's access to services, with arrests, blackmail and violence increasing because of sensationalized homophobia.

How your donations will help:

Your donations will go towards supporting our Mental Health support program and telemedicine programs to reach more people.

Impact of your donations:

$10 Support a session for 1 or 2 people.

$50 - Can support 4 sessions for 1 person or 2 sessions for 4 people.

$100 - can provide mental health services to 5 people for a month

$650 – can cover rent and security costs for a month.

$1000 – can remunerate two health workers for one month.

The most enormous help you can provide is to SHARE WIDELY with your network! Please post this on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, and send it to your friends. With your support, we can make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Uganda. Here is a video tour of our clinic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYGyFqZG1OM