After the Ugandan court invalidated a controversial anti-gay law, approximately 200 people gathered at the botanical gardens in the lakeside town of Entebbe on August 9th to march for LGBT equality. Many of those who gathered wore masks as they feared retaliation. The masks protected their identities as being LGBT in Uganda is severely discriminated. All participants showed incredible amount of bravery as they were exposed to violance from anti-LGBT groups and individuals. Only two years ago, during the last LGBT march in 2012, police intervened as the gathering turned violent. Thankfully this year's march was peaceful.
"We are here to walk for those who can't walk, who are afraid to walk," said gay activist Moses Kimbugwe. "We are here to celebrate our rights."
"We are a group of people who have suffered enough," said Ugandan lesbian activist Jacqueline Kasha. "We are Ugandans who have the right to gather in a public place ... and we are going to have fun."
Last week, Uganda's Constitutional Court ruled the draconian anti-LGBT law as illegal as it was passed when a parliamentary session lacked a quorum. Since then, several lawmakers stated a plan to reintroduce the bill into the law. But although the anti-LGBT law is not currently in effect, many fear the severe discrimination that is still present in the country of Uganda.