Crossing Borders for Survival:
The Silent War Against LGBTQIA+ Community in Africa
By Nick*
“When home becomes a battlefield, survival itself becomes an act of defiance.”
INTRODUCTION: Living a Life on the Run.
My name is Nick*, a proud LGBTQIA+ representative and leader. I survived Uganda, fled persecution in 2021, lived through the horrors of Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, and now reside in South Sudan as an onward mover. This journey is not unique—thousands like me are trapped in a cycle of violence and displacement simply because of who they are.
This article is a testimony, a cry for justice, and a call to action. It tells the real stories of LGBTQIA+ refugees across East Africa—especially those from Uganda—and the vital role of Queer solidarity(globally) has played in keeping hope alive where the world has failed.
The Ugandan Nightmare: Where Identity Is a Crime
Uganda remains one of the most hostile places in the world for LGBTQIA+ people. State-sponsored homophobia has normalized unspeakable violence:
– Women and lesbians face collective rape under the guise of “correction.”
– Transgender individuals are burned alive, lynched, or forced into hiding.
– Nonbinary and bisexual people are subjected to constant threats, including blackmail and arrest.
To be openly LGBTQIA+ in Uganda is to carry a target on your back. For many, the only option is escape.
Kenya’s Broken Refuge: When Safety Is a Lie
Kenya’s refugee camps, like Kakuma, are marketed as safe havens—but for LGBTQIA+ refugees, they are often sites of renewed trauma. In Kakuma:
– Queer refugees are harassed by both other refugees and host communities.
– Physical and sexual assaults are common and rarely addressed.
– Jobs are virtually non-existent for LGBTQIA+ individuals due to stigma.
I witnessed the murder of queer refugees and lived in fear daily. For some, the only path forward was to flee again, often to South Sudan—where life is unstable but offers a flicker of visibility.
The Role of Queer solidarity outside Africa : Hope in the Shadows
Amidst this suffering, one truth stands tall: “solidarity saves lives”.
Queer solidarity (allies and supporters, led by people like Geoff Allshorn, Natasha, Suubi, and others, have been a beacon of hope. Their support has made the difference between life and death for many of us.
They don’t just give handouts—they listen, they respond, and they organize:
– Mr.Geoff Allshorn and his network provide food, medical assistance, emotional support, sustainable initiatives and projects: “Thank you Geoff Allshorn”.
– Natasha and Suubi lends unwavering moral and practical support, funding safe house for LGBTQ+refugees,food and giving many of us a voice we didn’t have.
Their mutual aid model goes beyond charity — it’s about dignity and empowerment. In these grassroots circles, queer refugees support each other with whatever little they have. That’s what makes it revolutionary: “it’s survival with solidarity”
Bearing Witness: Real Lives, Real Voices
This article is not academic. It’s personal. I speak not from research papers, but from lived experience. Every word here is rooted in the voices of LGBTQIA+ refugees I’ve walked beside, cried with, and buried.
Their stories aren’t just statistics. They are memories of people who once dreamed of safety. People whose only “crime” was to live authentically.
The Cruelty of Exile: A New Chapter of Oppression
Refugees are supposed to find protection after fleeing persecution. But for queer people, exile itself becomes another chapter of trauma:
– Hostile immigration policies delay or deny asylum.
– Inadequate housing forces people into dangerous areas.
– Lack of medical care, especially for HIV-positive and trans individuals, causes deep suffering.
It’s not just that the system is broken—it was never built for us in the first place.
A Call to the World: Stand With Us
What we need is not pity — we need action.
– Advocate for inclusive refugee policies that protect LGBTQIA+ rights.
– Fund grassroots organizations led by refugees themselves.
– Support the tireless work of LGBTQ+ community supporters and allies like Mr. Geoff Allshorn, Natasha, Suubi and others .
We must stop treating LGBTQIA+ refugees as disposable. We deserve to live, thrive, and love—just like anyone else.
Looking Ahead: Reclaiming Our Future
In the face of unimaginable hardship, LGBTQIA+ refugees are organizing. From building underground shelters to forming self-led support groups, we are finding strength in each other. With the help of Queer supporters and allies, we are not only surviving—we are reclaiming our right to exist.
The global LGBTQIA+ community must continue to amplify these efforts. Because no one should have to cross a border just to stay alive.
If you’ve read this far, you’re already part of the change. Now, take it further. Share. Support. Stand up.
*For safety reasons, the name Nick is a pseudonym.
Nick is a passionate humanist, atheist, and queer rights advocate based in the Gorom Refugee Settlement Camp, South Sudan. As a community leader and representative, Nick works tirelessly to support LGBTQIA+ individuals, humanists, and other marginalized people living in the camp, providing them with solidarity, resources, and a voice in the face of discrimination, violence, and displacement.
With lived experience as both a refugee and a queer activist, Nick has organized grassroots networks, created safe spaces, and sought partnerships with international organizations to advance human rights and protect vulnerable groups. Despite facing personal threats, poverty, and the risk of eviction, Nick remains committed to advocating for dignity, equality, and freedom for all.
POSTSCRIPT: The South Sudanese government has moved to evict LGBT+ refugees in Gorom this week, forcing them to self-relocate to the capital city of Juba, which may expose them to homelessness, violence and discrimination in a homophobic nation. They lack funds for accommodation (safe housing) and survival means. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.
Anyone wanting to help financially or emotionally support their LGBT+ family in Africa is invited to contact Geoff (via this website or online) and register their interest.
This material used with permission. This blog ©2025 Geoff Allshorn. All rights for this article returned to the author.
I show my respect for Elders past and present and acknowledge the Wurundjeri-Willam people, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this blog was prepared.