Stand with Queer Refugees in Africa: Peter's Story

Hello everyone, my name is Zi, and I am a queer immigrant residing in Ontario, Canada. Today, I'm reaching out to rally support for my dear friend, Peter, a queer man seeking refuge at a UNHCR camp in North Africa.

Peter's journey has been marked by immense challenges.

In 2019, he fled persecution in his homeland of Uganda, finding temporary safety at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Yet, due to escalating insecurity, he was compelled to seek safety in yet another country—hence his escape.

However, Peter is not alone in this plight; he stands alongside fellow queer refugees, forming a resilient community amidst adversity. Tragically, their current environment poses grave dangers, particularly for queer and trans individuals, with incidents of persecution and violence alarmingly common.

At present, Peter finds himself in a dire situation, navigating life in a refugee camp where basic necessities such as food and shelter are scarce. Compounded by restrictions on employment, Peter and his peers are in urgent need of assistance to sustain themselves and safeguard their well-being—they can use any and all help we can give.

Below is Peter’s story in his own words.

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Hello friends,

I am Peter, a member and an activist of the LGBTQ refugee community. As my friend said in their description, I recently fled from Kakuma refugee camp to another encampment. I’ve opted to use the term “another encampment” due to recent circumstances. I was arrested for making a post that included the name of the country I am in, and was warned against doing so again by the police, who told me I will be arrested and imprisoned for life if I do not comply.

However, you can still verify my location by reaching out to me directly, through the various platforms listed below.

We are seeking support to aid LGBTQ families and their children. We, queer individuals, also live with children born to lesbians who faced sexual assault in our refugee camp here in North Africa. We endure starvation, inadequate medication, and lack basic necessities such as clothing, soap, mattresses, and shelter, compounded by homophobic hostility.

Unfortunately, the camp environment is exceedingly hostile, with regular attacks and injuries inflicted upon us. We desperately need your assistance to survive and thrive amidst this continuous crisis we are passing through. Please. As a queer man, I fled from my homeland Uganda after my partner Pablo (known as Ciara) and I were discovered together, resulting in Pablo's tragic murder at the hands of my father and community (may her soul rest in power). Pablo was actually my everything. This was why I escaped to Kenya—the only reason I survived is because I was able to flee. I really struggle sometimes not to remember the things that happened to me in Uganda and Kenya, because it brings feelings of depression and trauma, causing tears to pass through my eyes.

We shall greatly appreciate any form of support extended to us.

Thank you,

Peter.

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Please, on behalf of Peter, on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, as a fellow human being, stand in solidarity with the beautiful and resilient queer refugees of North Africa. If you can’t donate, share this with your friends, family, followers—anyone you can think of. Whether it’s $1 in donation or mere exposure, every little bit counts. There is no such thing as doing too little; doing anything is better than doing nothing at all.

All proceeds will be sent straight to Peter’s account, to cover basic needs such as food, water, access to healthcare, as well as testing for malaria, typhoid pressure, etc. — since he has recently come down with the flu. $10,000 will go to securing mattresses for Peter and fellow refugees (around $1000 per mattress x 10 people). The rest of the money will go towards necessities such as eating utensils, fuel for vehicles, lightbulbs, as well as batteries and solar panels to charge shelter owned laptops and phones, so the refugees can keep in contact with the outside world.

To donate directly to Peter, please click here or reach out via WhatsApp at 254 115 169 675. Additionally, you can connect with Peter on Tumblr (@peterkats) or Instagram (@pet.erkats).

Thank you again for your generosity and compassion. Together, we can alleviate the suffering of queer refugees enduring unimaginable hardships in North Africa.