Rwandan LGBT Community Steps Out of Shadows

April 27, 2017 1:33 PM

By Hamada Elrasam

The Rwandan government recognizes the LGBT community's right to live openly and safely, but it does not allow for gay marriage. However, activists say the majority of Rwandans still lack education regarding the group in Kigali, Rwanda, April 11, 2017. (Photo: H. Elrasam/VOA)

Carter, transgender man, 28, is a program officer at Rights For All, an association that advocates for the LGBT community. "Recently when those two lesbians came out as married, it was a big debate and people didn't understand," Carter said. "They wondered, 'Who are they? Who is who in the relationship?' We started to get harassed again, so we stopped going out in the street of Kigali, we were scared. The medias never made it easy but the outcome was amazing, the society that didn't understand who lesbians were got to actually know that they exist! in Kigali, Rwanda, April 21, 2017. (Photo: H. Elrasam/VOA)

Divin, a 30-year-old Rwandan gay man, says, "There was that debate in the media about the right for gay people to exist in Rwanda and I was attacked the same day. I don't think the attack was because [of] my sexual orientation, it was about stealing my money. But I left for Uganda immediately." Divin is pictured in Kigal, Rwanda, April 20, 2017. (Photo: H. Elrasam/VOA)

"We were partially recognized by the Rwandan government, which made me and my community feel safer," said Madoxy, a Rwandan LGBT activist and a transgender man. "But what is more painful is the social rejection. And we still don't have enough unity even within the LGBT community here. Gay men consider themselves as a separate group from transgender. We have (HAD) enough ethnic division here, and any divisions based on sexual orientation makes life harder." ( Photo: H. Elrasam/VOA)

Diana Marie Merci is a Rwandan lesbian who lives with her partner. "I have no problems with people as long as I don't mention my sexual orientation," she said. "When I talk about it, some people will threaten me. Some of my school friends removed me from Whatsapp groups because of my sexual orientation. Some don't talk to me anymore. But there are also good friends who reached to me after they knew." (Photo: H. Elrasam/VOA)

Lilian, 28, is a transgender woman. "My family understands my condition and sometimes they tease me, telling me to get married," Lilian said. "I love my family and they love me. But when I go to a job interview, employers will comment on my physical appearance and refuse to hire me. That is why most of the time, I don't have a job." (Photo: H. Elrasam/VOA)