LGBTQ Refugees Need Our Love & Encouragement

Hello and welcome! My name is Jabril Yousef. I’m a U.S.-based artist, award-winning journalist, coach and speaker. I began corresponding with Ntazil Ali Omi (via twitter at @NtazilO) in September 2020, speaking regularly via chat and, more recently, video call. As I continue to learn more about what life is like for her and her friends at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya I can’t in good conscience stand by.

 

Ntazil, who identifies as a trans woman, is originally from Uganda. After her mother died, she was caught in the act with her boyfriend and locked in her room by her own family. Eventually, she escaped to a friend’s and, ultimately, across the border into Kenya. Ntazil has been at Kakuma since early 2020. During this time, her group of approximately 160 Gay, Lesbian and Transgender refugees have faced repeated violence from other refugees. Purely because of their sexual and gender orientations. In April 2021 (and, again, later in the year), their dwellings were burned to the ground. The group is currently sleeping outdoors without even the most basic supplies.

 

“We just made a small room (with sheet metal) for kids to sleep,” Ntazil said.

 

Ntazil and her friends — including another trans woman named Lucretia, who I’ve also spoken with — are waiting on the Kenyan government to approve their request for asylum and relocation. But Kenya, which is still homophobic (“sodomy” is illegal, carrying a 14-year prison sentence, and queer women are routinely subject to “corrective rape” by men) continues to drag its feet, despite the real and present danger.

 

Until their request is approved, Ntazil and her group need money to buy medication, mattresses, blankets, clothes, food, shelter, lights and water containers. Some of the individuals, including Ntazil, are also in need of medical attention. THIS IS AN URGENT SITUATION, as these people are being threatened, brutalized daily and — in some cases — killed.

UPDATE (Aug. 1, 2022): within the last few days i’ve also connected with Henry, director of Ugandan nonprofit Children of the Sun (@UgandaCosf on twitter and instagram), which shelters 21 gay, lesbian and transgender individuals. Recently, Henry says, partially as a result of rising inflation in Uganda rent, utilities and even food have become unaffordable. Henry is asking for immediate assistance in the amount of $500 USD (800,000 Shillings) to help keep their doors open and provide for their people. He says, in lieu of assistance, many of the shelter’s inhabitants have resorted to sex work just to eat. But sex work opens them up to a whole slate of dangers, including violence, STIs and HIV/AIDS.

 

Please, PLEASE, give what you can and share with your friends and family! Let’s shine a little light into the world!

 

Thank you for all your support and many blessings,

 

JABRIL