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I am other
"I Am Other" is a multi-media research and documentation project with the goal of recording the lives and stories of LGBTQ Ugandans across the country.
- The proposed project will collect and document through photography, audio, and video interviews the stories of LGBTQ Ugandans to preserve an often invisible community for purposes of austerity and visibility.
- Because many political, cultural, and religious leaders believe that LGBTQ Ugandans are "un-African" and do not exist — it is important to document the vast gender and sexual orientation diversity in the country.
- Supporting this research and documentation project will generate the first online visual archive of the daily lives of LGBTQ Ugandans — and serve as a much needed tool for local activists to fight for their human rights as LGBTQ persons.
- The project is apart of Queer Collective — a new arts initiative with the goal of creating
a space for queer artists working in east Africa to come together and share
their work locally, nationally, and internationally. Queer collective aims to empower and validate LGBTQ
artists by providing education and mentorship programs that will improve
their craft and enable them to become economically self sustaining
vessels of social change.
What We Need & What You Get
- We are currently documenting and collecting stories of LGBTQ Ugandans within the capitol of Kampala. However, we need your help to expand this documentation project to rest of the country.
- We plan to reach all districts in Uganda. This is no simple task and we would like you to join our growing community of supporters to help us collect and tell these stories.
- To cover these costs we have a funding goal of $3,500.
- You can support us by donating whatever you can to this campaign. Every little bit counts — even sharing the campaign with your friends, family, and social networks.
Funding from this campaign will go towards:
- Video and recording equipment
- Transportation across the country
- Accommodation costs when good friends and great couches are not available
- Creating and cataloging the database of stories by LGBTQ Ugandans.
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The Impact
This project will highlight the sexual and gender diversity within Uganda with the hope of educating and creating empathy within the greater Ugandan society and the world about LGBTQ people.
- Through the project we hope to change the narrative and start a positive conversation about LGBTQ Ugandans — to empower and validate an invisible community that is often faced with ridicule and rejection by calling to attention the successes, triumphs, and hardships they face, bare testimony and honor victims and survivors of homophobia and transphobia.
- You can view some of the stories of LGBTQ Ugandans we have already documented on our Facebook page and website and in the photo gallery on this page.
Risks & Challenges
Because of the political and social climate, it will be challenging to get LGBTQ Ugandans to share their stories openly. However, we will ensure complete confidentiality for participants who wish to hide their identities. In addition, to ensure our own security as LGBTQ individuals working in Uganda, we have partnered with local activists.
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help:
- Ask folks to get the word out and make some noise about our campaign.
- Share the campaign on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
The Team
Keith King, Ugandan LGBT activist based in Kampala — mpungakeithking@gmail.com
Austin Bryan, American ethnographic researcher based in Kampala — adbryan3@ncsu.edu
Mac Ilakut, Ugandan Trans* activist based in Kampala — macilakut@gmail.com
Matthew Alemi, Ugandan Queer 'artivist' based in Kampala — tayosmatt@yahoo.co.uk
