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
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. 💕
Clare and Jeff: it breaks my heart to hear how my LGBTQ+ family in Uganda is having to deal with the same issues as my LGBTQ+ family here in the US. Please know, Clare, that you are not alone in this struggle. The Jesus I follow said that the two most important things are to love God and to love my neighbors as myself, and that there are no greater commandments. It is my job to love and God's job to judge. Why do some of my fellow humans feel like they must do God's job? I have no good answers. Keeping you in my prayers 🙏
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.
We've lived and traveled in some very homophobic countries but none that compare to Uganda. Clare's bravery, as well as the bravery of those mothers, is astonishing. I hope the day comes where they see at least some progress. Thanks for sharing this.
It breaks my heart to read about Clare and the Ugandan families who are experiencing such inhumane and heartbreaking treatment, for solely loving people. I would love to support Clare and her situation financially, but I live in Canada and it seems that Venmo doesn't work outside of the US. If there is a different way for me to transfer funds, I would be happy to do so. Blessings to you Jeff for your heart and your willingness to help.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ❤️
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.
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 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. 💕
It's like we're going backwards. Thank you for sharing. 😢
Clare and Jeff: it breaks my heart to hear how my LGBTQ+ family in Uganda is having to deal with the same issues as my LGBTQ+ family here in the US. Please know, Clare, that you are not alone in this struggle. The Jesus I follow said that the two most important things are to love God and to love my neighbors as myself, and that there are no greater commandments. It is my job to love and God's job to judge. Why do some of my fellow humans feel like they must do God's job? I have no good answers. Keeping you in my prayers 🙏
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.
My heart breaks for Clare, these mothers, their children and the whole country. What courage and love they have in the face of such oppression.
We've lived and traveled in some very homophobic countries but none that compare to Uganda. Clare's bravery, as well as the bravery of those mothers, is astonishing. I hope the day comes where they see at least some progress. Thanks for sharing this.
It breaks my heart to read about Clare and the Ugandan families who are experiencing such inhumane and heartbreaking treatment, for solely loving people. I would love to support Clare and her situation financially, but I live in Canada and it seems that Venmo doesn't work outside of the US. If there is a different way for me to transfer funds, I would be happy to do so. Blessings to you Jeff for your heart and your willingness to help.
My heart is with them. And with you. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for sharing Clare's story and for highlighting these brave mothers in Uganda.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ❤️
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.
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