LAGOS, Nigeria (RNS) — For Agy, a transgender woman pastor in Uganda, the connection between her faith, identity and resilience is always on her mind. She serves as a pastor with the Young Prophets Collective, a queer-affirming online church community, two years after her country enacted one of the harshest anti-homosexuality laws in the world.
Since the law passed, Agy said she has dealt with fear of discrimination daily. However, none of it has shaken her belief in God, and instead it has deepened her resolve to serve her congregation, she said.
“It’s made me even more committed to showing that God’s love includes queer and trans people, and to creating spiritual spaces where they can feel safe, valued and fully seen,” said Agy, who is being identified by her first name only due to safety concerns.
Agy is among several religious LGBTQ Ugandans who spoke with Religion News Service about how their faith has changed since the law was approved. In a country where about 88% of the population identifies as Christian and 11% as Muslim, she and others are also attempting to find ways to ensure queer Ugandans are still able to practice their religions safely.
In May 2023, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed a sweeping anti-homosexuality bill into law after years of political and religious campaigns. The Parliament of Ugand …