The new Anti-Homosexual Bill 2023 that was passed by the Ugandan parliament on 21/March/2023 has devastating consequences for the LBQ community in terms of housing. This Bill  makes it a crime to even identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, and gives authorities sweeping power to crackdown on any form of LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

It also criminalizes same-sex relations between consenting adults. This is a harsher revision to Uganda’s 2014 Homosexuality Act, which outlawed the “promotion of homosexuality,” The bill criminalizes homosexuality and makes it punishable by imprisonment (possibly for life) or even castration of gay men and trans women as suggested by some MPs which puts the LBQ community at greater risk of homelessness.

One of the key ways in which the bill will affect LBQ persons is by increasing discrimination and violence against them. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the bill in 2014 ” led to increased social stigmatization, harassment, and violence against LGBT people.” This, in turn, has made it difficult for LBQ individuals to access housing and maintain relationships with their families and communities.

The report also notes that the bill had a chilling effect on the provision of services to LBQ persons, including healthcare and legal assistance. This further limited their access to resources that could help them secure housing and protect their rights.

One study conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality found that transgender individuals experienced high rates of housing discrimination, with 19% reporting being refused a home or apartment and 11% being evicted because of their gender identity. Additionally, 19% reported experiencing homelessness at some point in their lives.

Similarly, research conducted by the National LGBTQ Task Force found that LGBTQ individuals in general faced housing discrimination and were more likely to experience homelessness. This study found that LGBTQ individuals were twice as likely as their non-LGBTQ counterparts to experience homelessness, and that up to 40% of homeless youth were LGBTQ.

Another report by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) documented incidents of violence and discrimination against LGBT individuals in Uganda, including forced evictions, blackmail, and denial of access to housing, employment, and healthcare.

A study published in 2015 by the Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) documented cases of violence, discrimination, and harassment against LGBT individuals, including LBQ women, in Uganda. The study found that 66% of the respondents had experienced some form of violence or discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Anti-Homosexual Bill 2023 has negatively affected the housing for the LBQ community. Discrimination and stigma in regards to access to housing has been manifest in different ways as explained below;

Housing discrimination is a significant problem for the LBQ community which has been made worse by the bill that suggests harsh punishment to landlords or even organizations that offer shelter to the homeless LBQ persons. 

Even before the bill discrimination has had been eminent but at least LBQ persons knew that they would run to shelters for solace, but now shelters have been made illegal. The bill further threatens the right to privacy since it allows people to question or even invade any suspicious spaces therefore causing security threats to the community.

Many landlords and property owners refuse to rent or sell homes to LBQ individuals, citing religious or personal beliefs. This discrimination is now exacerbated by the new bill, which creates an environment of fear and hostility towards the LBQ community. As a result, many LBQ individuals are forced to live in unsafe or overcrowded housing, or to become homeless.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill has a significant impact on access to housing for LBQ persons in Uganda. The law makes it illegal to promote or engage in homosexuality, and it also makes it illegal to provide housing to LBQ persons. This means that many LBQ persons are unable to find safe and secure housing.

The law also allows for the eviction of LBQ persons from their homes if they are suspected of being homosexual. This leads to many LBQ persons being forced out of their homes and becoming homeless. The lack of access to safe and secure housing has had a significant impact on the mental and physical well-being of LBQ persons in Uganda.

Self discrimination continues to happen as a result of fear; fear to be outed, fear to be discovered, fear of what will happen and many more fears. A person ends up discriminating against themselves because they feel like if they are alone nothing or no one can hurt them. You find that a person who might have found help somewhere can’t get it because they can’t trust the society.

The new bill also has a chilling effect on LBQ individuals seeking help from government agencies or non-profit organizations that provide housing assistance. Many fear that their sexual orientation or gender identity will be discovered, which may lead to discrimination and harassment. This fear further increases the likelihood of homelessness among the LBQ community.

The Anti Homosexuality Bill also has a significant impact on families of LBQ persons in Uganda. The law makes it illegal to promote or engage in homosexuality, which includes same-sex relationships. This means that LBQ persons are unable to openly express their sexuality and form relationships with same-sex partners.

LBQ persons are also ostracized by their families and communities due to their sexuality. This leads to many LBQ persons being disowned by their families and losing their support systems. The lack of family support has had a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of LBQ persons in Uganda.

Lack of access to basic needs/resources as recently, many LBQ women have lost their jobs, fell out with family and friends while the ones in school face expulsions because of their sexual orientation. Now with the enactment of the AHB it  becomes more difficult for the LBQ to even access resources, they can’t go to government or even private facilities because the law deems it illegal to offer services to the LBQ community. 

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill has had a significant impact on LBQ persons’ ability to feel safe and secure in their homes. The law allows for the persecution of LBQ persons, which leads to many LBQ persons living in fear of being arrested, attacked, or killed.

LBQ persons are also targeted by vigilante groups who seek to rid their communities of homosexuality. This leads to many LBQ persons being forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries. The lack of safety and security in their homes has had a significant impact on the mental and physical well-being of LBQ persons in Uganda.

Homelessness has serious consequences for LBQ individuals. They are at a higher risk of violence, abuse, and sexual assault. They also experience greater difficulty accessing healthcare and other basic necessities, which can have long-term negative impacts on their physical and mental health.

The bill makes it illegal to promote or engage in homosexuality, which leads to LBQ persons being unable to express their sexuality and form relationships with same-sex partners. LBQ persons were also ostracized by their families and communities, which led to many LBQ persons being disowned by their families and losing their support systems. 

The law also allows for the persecution of LBQ persons, which led to many LBQ persons living in fear of being arrested, attacked, or killed. The lack of access to safe and secure housing and the lack of safety and security in their homes has had a significant impact on the mental and physical well-being of LBQ persons in Uganda.

In conclusion, the new Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 has a significant impact on the LBQ community’s housing situation, access to housing, families, and homes for LBQ persons in Uganda which in turn increases the risk of homelessness and human rights violations among queer persons. 

Discrimination and fear prevent LBQ individuals from accessing safe and affordable housing and assistance programs. This bill not only violates human rights but also creates a public health crisis. It is crucial to advocate for the repeal of this bill and to ensure that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have access to safe and secure housing.

It is clear that LGBTQ individuals, including lesbians, bisexuals, and queer cis women, transgender, and gender non-conforming persons, can face significant challenges when it comes to accessing housing. It is important for policymakers and housing providers to recognize and address these barriers in order to ensure that all individuals have access to safe and affordable housing.

                                                              #killthebill

                                                                     By

                                                                Aisha Luboowa

                                                 (Rella House of Hope Associate)