Some fragmented thoughts on Uganda's devastating new anti-LGBTQ law, the bravery of the moms of PFLAG-Uganda, and the work of one remarkable queer activist
An update: Clare wrote last night to share her gratitude and also to report that President Museveni declined to sign the legislation as written and sent it back to Parliament "for improvement."
Thank you for sharing this Jeff, and thank you Clare for entrusting us with a bit of your story. Jeff, I don’t know if we’ve ever interacted directly before, but I’ve wanted to tell you that your book was the final push towards becoming fully affirming in my theology. I had been moving in that direction for a decade, and reading your book back in 2021 was the final piece falling into place for me. Since then I’ve been involved in an affirming church community, and many times have been overwhelmed with gratitude for it. I saw on your stories yesterday what you said about writing that book (and going on the book tour) being incredibly challenging, and I want to thank you for doing it because it has had a deep impact on me, and by extension as my theology has shifted, on those around me.
Thank you for highlighting both that this is an international issue (which I know, but often forget), and that people can change (which I know, but often forget, even as someone who changed).
My heart is heavy for my LGBTQ+ family. Praying for peace and kindness, here and abroad. 💕
Dear Jeff, thank you for introducing us to Clare and these mothers.
Clare, you long for your brothers, but know that so many of stand in solidarity with you.
For trans day of visibility a few weeks ago, I wrote an op-Ed in our paper (Philadelphia Inquirer) urging parents in safer states to speak out. I received heartfelt support from friends, family, other parents of trans children, and people even called me brave.
Reading about the ferocious courage of Clare and these mothers...frankly, I’m humbled and a bit embarrassed. THIS is courage. This is love.
I was terrified to put my name and story out there, and despite having worked in Kenya and Zambia, didn’t even consider my privilege in speaking out from the safety of the US!
I can only imagine the strength of your conviction and depth of your love. Your sacrifice shimmers and ripples.
I’m throwing roses at your feet, sisters, lifting you up in righteousness.
Thank you for sharing this with us. It is especially important to expose both the work of homophobic US orgs behind some of this and that the affirming orgs like PFLAG-Uganda are hard at work with great consequences. Often here it is painted as if all queer organizations are white Americans trying to "colonize" the rest of the world with our "gay agendas" and "gender ideologies" while the good, pure, holy, "traditional" views of gender and sexuality are clearly upheld by those in Africa and elsewhere, who don't want our Western, sinful, repulsive ways corrupting their country. But so often, if we follow the money and the history, we see the truth.
For Clare, know that your LGBTQIA+ siblings all over the world are with you and sending their love and strength. I hope you are protected and able to continue your work for a very long time until it is no longer necessary and all our kin have the ability to live and love freely.
I wonder if @liz dyer of the mamabears.org or @sara Cunningham have any international connections that could help Clare with her efforts in Uganda? These ladies are tirelessly working towards LBGTQ justice in the US.
I’m thankful you are still filling my inbox with your notes. ❤️
Dear friend, I looked through some of your old posts to find your PO Box address so I could send you a sympathy card - but since I couldn't find it....here I am....praying for your heart that has been broken too many ways lately. I feel your sadness, grief, and exhaustion. I am so very sorry. I care.
I thank our Father for you - and your wisdom and gift of sharing your lives with us. Thank you so much! (I asked my Father for friends to walk my decontruction/reconstruction journey, and He gave me you, Sarah B., Rachel, Brian McLaren, Richard Rohr, Diana Butler Bass, Ann LaMott.....so many wise mentors to walk me through my own valley - and back to my Father in a new, more honest and affirming way. So, thank you, Jeff, so very much for allowing me to walk along with you through life. And my heart and prayers are with you now - as you grieve.
Clare, you are doing such good and hard work. It was a joy to hear how you are cultivating a safe and vibrant space for these parents, and in turn supporting these kids. Praying for you and them, for eyes to be opened and hearts turned. May each know they are loved and embraced.
We are all walking with heavy hearts even as powers in our own country increasingly turn their backs on the love and humanity of our faith. We cannot give up, and I thank you, Jeff, for your continued honesty and vulnerability.
Jeff, I received one of your postcards this month. Thank you so much for your encouraging words as I prepare to move abroad. I leave for Finland on May 19. I guess the first thing that comes to my mind is that Clare and these other mothers have such courage in the midst of everything happening to their children, but they shouldn’t be forced to be brave. In the middle of all the things that should not be is where we find our kindred souls, unity, strength, even hope. Clare’s vulnerability meant a lot to me, that she was willing to say that she wasn’t praying for a change of heart in the president, that she struggles. Thank you for sharing Clare’s story and about these remarkable parents and for sharing your heart of compassion.
I don’t have any new words or thoughts to add to those already so beautifully expressed in these comments. Jeff, thank you for sharing the stories of Clare & the mothers - they touched my heart as a human and fellow mom of a transgender daughter & non-binary queer kid. Clare, thank you for your hope and care for these children of God.
Thank you Jeff. And thank you Clare for bravely doing your work. As a mom of a gay daughter, I take for granted the freedom I have… the freedom she has. People can be ignorant and cruel in the US, but I cannot imagine the suffering and persecution of the mothers and LGBTQ people in Uganda. It’s heart-breaking and sobering to read, but I’m glad you made us aware.
No deeply optimistic or encouraging words to share. Just solidarity in the sadness this brings.
This new law in Uganda is appalling. The bravery of the PFLAG mother's is inspiring, and Clare and the one supporting bishop are a glimmer of hope and potential justice in the midst of darkness.
Clare- you and PFLAG-Uganda are doing incredible work. Thank you for your patience and dedication to teaching compassion to these mamas who are then showing it to their queer children. My heart goes out to you and them as they face discrimination and violence for their allyship and, of course, to the entire LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda. We believe in you.
An update: Clare wrote last night to share her gratitude and also to report that President Museveni declined to sign the legislation as written and sent it back to Parliament "for improvement."
Thank you for sharing this Jeff, and thank you Clare for entrusting us with a bit of your story. Jeff, I don’t know if we’ve ever interacted directly before, but I’ve wanted to tell you that your book was the final push towards becoming fully affirming in my theology. I had been moving in that direction for a decade, and reading your book back in 2021 was the final piece falling into place for me. Since then I’ve been involved in an affirming church community, and many times have been overwhelmed with gratitude for it. I saw on your stories yesterday what you said about writing that book (and going on the book tour) being incredibly challenging, and I want to thank you for doing it because it has had a deep impact on me, and by extension as my theology has shifted, on those around me.
Thank you for highlighting both that this is an international issue (which I know, but often forget), and that people can change (which I know, but often forget, even as someone who changed).
My heart is heavy for my LGBTQ+ family. Praying for peace and kindness, here and abroad. 💕
Dear Jeff, thank you for introducing us to Clare and these mothers.
Clare, you long for your brothers, but know that so many of stand in solidarity with you.
For trans day of visibility a few weeks ago, I wrote an op-Ed in our paper (Philadelphia Inquirer) urging parents in safer states to speak out. I received heartfelt support from friends, family, other parents of trans children, and people even called me brave.
Reading about the ferocious courage of Clare and these mothers...frankly, I’m humbled and a bit embarrassed. THIS is courage. This is love.
I was terrified to put my name and story out there, and despite having worked in Kenya and Zambia, didn’t even consider my privilege in speaking out from the safety of the US!
I can only imagine the strength of your conviction and depth of your love. Your sacrifice shimmers and ripples.
I’m throwing roses at your feet, sisters, lifting you up in righteousness.
Massive love from our shared mother hearts,
Shannon
(For what it’s worth, here is my article:
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/transgender-day-of-visibility-gen-z-parent-20230331.html?outputType=amp
Thank you for sharing this with us. It is especially important to expose both the work of homophobic US orgs behind some of this and that the affirming orgs like PFLAG-Uganda are hard at work with great consequences. Often here it is painted as if all queer organizations are white Americans trying to "colonize" the rest of the world with our "gay agendas" and "gender ideologies" while the good, pure, holy, "traditional" views of gender and sexuality are clearly upheld by those in Africa and elsewhere, who don't want our Western, sinful, repulsive ways corrupting their country. But so often, if we follow the money and the history, we see the truth.
For Clare, know that your LGBTQIA+ siblings all over the world are with you and sending their love and strength. I hope you are protected and able to continue your work for a very long time until it is no longer necessary and all our kin have the ability to live and love freely.
Jeff,
I wonder if @liz dyer of the mamabears.org or @sara Cunningham have any international connections that could help Clare with her efforts in Uganda? These ladies are tirelessly working towards LBGTQ justice in the US.
I’m thankful you are still filling my inbox with your notes. ❤️
My heart is with them. And with you. Thank you for writing this.
Dear friend, I looked through some of your old posts to find your PO Box address so I could send you a sympathy card - but since I couldn't find it....here I am....praying for your heart that has been broken too many ways lately. I feel your sadness, grief, and exhaustion. I am so very sorry. I care.
I thank our Father for you - and your wisdom and gift of sharing your lives with us. Thank you so much! (I asked my Father for friends to walk my decontruction/reconstruction journey, and He gave me you, Sarah B., Rachel, Brian McLaren, Richard Rohr, Diana Butler Bass, Ann LaMott.....so many wise mentors to walk me through my own valley - and back to my Father in a new, more honest and affirming way. So, thank you, Jeff, so very much for allowing me to walk along with you through life. And my heart and prayers are with you now - as you grieve.
Thanks for the update! Please give Clare and the moms a collective hug from me.
Thank you for sharing their story Jeff.
Clare, you are doing such good and hard work. It was a joy to hear how you are cultivating a safe and vibrant space for these parents, and in turn supporting these kids. Praying for you and them, for eyes to be opened and hearts turned. May each know they are loved and embraced.
We are all walking with heavy hearts even as powers in our own country increasingly turn their backs on the love and humanity of our faith. We cannot give up, and I thank you, Jeff, for your continued honesty and vulnerability.
Jeff, I received one of your postcards this month. Thank you so much for your encouraging words as I prepare to move abroad. I leave for Finland on May 19. I guess the first thing that comes to my mind is that Clare and these other mothers have such courage in the midst of everything happening to their children, but they shouldn’t be forced to be brave. In the middle of all the things that should not be is where we find our kindred souls, unity, strength, even hope. Clare’s vulnerability meant a lot to me, that she was willing to say that she wasn’t praying for a change of heart in the president, that she struggles. Thank you for sharing Clare’s story and about these remarkable parents and for sharing your heart of compassion.
I don’t have any new words or thoughts to add to those already so beautifully expressed in these comments. Jeff, thank you for sharing the stories of Clare & the mothers - they touched my heart as a human and fellow mom of a transgender daughter & non-binary queer kid. Clare, thank you for your hope and care for these children of God.
Thank you Jeff. And thank you Clare for bravely doing your work. As a mom of a gay daughter, I take for granted the freedom I have… the freedom she has. People can be ignorant and cruel in the US, but I cannot imagine the suffering and persecution of the mothers and LGBTQ people in Uganda. It’s heart-breaking and sobering to read, but I’m glad you made us aware.
No deeply optimistic or encouraging words to share. Just solidarity in the sadness this brings.
This new law in Uganda is appalling. The bravery of the PFLAG mother's is inspiring, and Clare and the one supporting bishop are a glimmer of hope and potential justice in the midst of darkness.
Clare- you and PFLAG-Uganda are doing incredible work. Thank you for your patience and dedication to teaching compassion to these mamas who are then showing it to their queer children. My heart goes out to you and them as they face discrimination and violence for their allyship and, of course, to the entire LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda. We believe in you.