Profile Picture For Transgender Equality Uganda

Transgender Equality Uganda

Transgender Equality Uganda (TEU) was started in April 2011 by Tushabe Beyonce, a transwoman, after noticing that transwomen’s issues were being neglected by the Ugandan LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) movement and that transgender sex workers’ issues were being ignored by the commercial sex work movement in Uganda. Transwomen suffer discrimination and violence in Ugandan society including corrective rape, mob justice, unlawful housing evictions, discrimination in healthcare services, and harassment from the media and police. Transgender sex workers also face increased violence, including rape by police officers and clients. Sexual violence towards transwomen and transgender sex workers, put the community at a higher risk for STDs/STIs and HIV/AIDS. TEU works to empower transwomen and transgender sex workers to mobilize and advocate for their rights and educate Ugandan society about different gender expressions.

Founder

Tushabe Beyonce

TEU’s vision is a Ugandan society that understands and accepts different gender expressions and works to promote human rights, economic empowerment, and equal access to health services for transwomen and transgender sex workers. 

TEU’s mission is to promote awareness about transwomen and transgender sex workers in Uganda, while addressing their human, health, and economic rights.

TEU’s objectives:

1.       Educate Ugandan society about transgender issues.

2.       Promote access to health care services, including HIV prevention, care, treatment and support, as well as legal and social services for transwomen and transgender sex workers.

3.       Promote safer sex practices for transwomen and transgender sex workers’ health and well-being.

4.       Organize and mobilize transwomen and transgender sex workers to claim for their rights and allow their voices to be heard, including advocating for fair and safe working conditions for transgender sex workers.

5.       Call for quality health and human rights support, including the documentation and exposure of human rights violations and stigmatization against transwomen and transgender sex workers.

6.       Build partnerships and alliances so that transwomen and transgender sex workers are an active part of the LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) and sex work movement in Uganda.