Ugandan Kuchus at IGLA New York!
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I'm so pleased to be hosting a fundraiser for the Uganda Kuchus Aquatic Team! UKAT is a swim team for LGBTQ Ugandans that I helped found when I was living in Kampala in 2016. I'm so happy to see how the team has grown under the leadership of Didi Bakuraira and Clare Byarugaba since that time. The team has competed at international competitions in Edmonton, Miami, and Paris—and this year, they're heading to New York! The International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) championships in New York will coincide with World Pride celebrations at the end of June to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The team has received scholarships for five swimmers, covering visas, competition entry fees, and insurance. They're now raising money for travel costs and food; any extra funds will help pay for team activities in Kampala, such as pool fees and coaching. The IGLA championships are an important time for the team members to make connections with other LGBTQ sports organizations across the world—and they're also a great place to come swim and meet the team! Thanks for your support and hope to see you in New York. —Nate
Here is further information about the team from Didi and Clare:
UKAT was founded in March 2016 as a social advocacy initiative dedicated to the promotion of human rights through swimming for adult Ugandans regardless of age, race, gender, sex, disability, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. UKAT believes all Ugandans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, “can use our potentials and talents to undo the acts of discrimination and violation of human rights”. Athletic activities like swimming provide an important sense of camaraderie, as well as a means to improve mental and physical health. UKAT believes that providing safe spaces for LGBTIQ athletes is an important component of improving the health of the overall LGBTIQ community in Uganda, as well as the health of individual members of that community. Furthermore, UKAT firmly believes that social advocacy initiatives such as this one are an essential component of broader efforts to secure respect for the fundamental human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Uganda. While the team is focused on members of Uganda’s LGBTIQ community, it is inclusive of anyone who believes in UKAT’s values of diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.
In August 2018, UKAT sent three swimmers to the IGLA championships that were part of the Gay Games competitions held in Paris, France. The trip was funded through a combination of support from IGLA, individuals, friends and swim teams across the world. Local groups in Uganda also contributed team apparel and provided media coverage. The UKAT swimmers won dozens of medals for individual swimmers and first place in the small team division.
This year, UKAT would like to send five team members to the IGLA championships and World Pride celebrations in New York City that will be held June 23rd - 30th. The UKAT team has been able to secure scholarship funds covering visa fees and health insurance process and would really appreciate your support to help the team acquire more funds for meals, transport costs, and accommodation in New York for the duration of their stay.
Any contribution to this fundraiser by donation or sharing with your networks will be highly appreciated by the team and the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda for whom this team has been a source of PRIDE. Every share and donation, no matter how small, gets the team one step closer to the competition.
A LUTA CONTINUA!! (The fight continues!)
Here is further information about the team from Didi and Clare:
UKAT was founded in March 2016 as a social advocacy initiative dedicated to the promotion of human rights through swimming for adult Ugandans regardless of age, race, gender, sex, disability, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. UKAT believes all Ugandans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, “can use our potentials and talents to undo the acts of discrimination and violation of human rights”. Athletic activities like swimming provide an important sense of camaraderie, as well as a means to improve mental and physical health. UKAT believes that providing safe spaces for LGBTIQ athletes is an important component of improving the health of the overall LGBTIQ community in Uganda, as well as the health of individual members of that community. Furthermore, UKAT firmly believes that social advocacy initiatives such as this one are an essential component of broader efforts to secure respect for the fundamental human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Uganda. While the team is focused on members of Uganda’s LGBTIQ community, it is inclusive of anyone who believes in UKAT’s values of diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.
In August 2018, UKAT sent three swimmers to the IGLA championships that were part of the Gay Games competitions held in Paris, France. The trip was funded through a combination of support from IGLA, individuals, friends and swim teams across the world. Local groups in Uganda also contributed team apparel and provided media coverage. The UKAT swimmers won dozens of medals for individual swimmers and first place in the small team division.
This year, UKAT would like to send five team members to the IGLA championships and World Pride celebrations in New York City that will be held June 23rd - 30th. The UKAT team has been able to secure scholarship funds covering visa fees and health insurance process and would really appreciate your support to help the team acquire more funds for meals, transport costs, and accommodation in New York for the duration of their stay.
Any contribution to this fundraiser by donation or sharing with your networks will be highly appreciated by the team and the LGBTQI+ community in Uganda for whom this team has been a source of PRIDE. Every share and donation, no matter how small, gets the team one step closer to the competition.
A LUTA CONTINUA!! (The fight continues!)
Organizer
Nate Freeman
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
