Help LGBTQ people in Uganda need to leave to save their lives. An update.
In April 2014, Olympia (WA) Monthly Meeting (Quakers), began a project called Friends Ugandan Safe Transport Fund (FUST)to raise funds for the safe transportation of LGBTQ Ugandans out of the country. This was in response to a desperate request from some of our Ugandan friends. At that time, Uganda had just enacted the Anti-Homosexuality Act which put all members of the LGBTQ community at great risk. While the Act was later invalidated on technical grounds, discrimination and violence continue. There have been several murders, beatings, stonings and kidnappings. Put bluntly, the safety of those in the LGBTQ community and their allies is constantly threatened.
To date, FUST has raised funds to transport 2,897 passengers to safety. 14 countries have accepted these LGBTQ Ugandan refugees.
Currently, there is a dire need for funds to transport 56 passengers who are being temporarily sheltered and fed by one of our friends. We are assured that these passengers will be safely transported as soon as the funds are raised. The cost is $85.00 per passenger.
There is also a man who worked with us as a conductor, helping hundreds of LGBTQ passengers out of Uganda over the years. He has suffered kidnapping, torture, hospitalization, and a serious accident, and as he put his life at grave risk to help others, we have helped him with his medical and other bills.
If you would like to donate any amount (tax deductible as a donation to a faith community) you can do so with a check or a credit/debit card via PayPal. Go to our donate page here: https://www.friendsugandansafetransport.org/donate/.
We greatly appreciate your support. If you would like more information, please contact us.
Thank you!
Gabi Clayton and Kathleen O’Shaunessy
Co-managers of FUST