Ugandan Gay Activist Wants Your Help

Ugandan gay activist Frank Mugisha is appealing to Americans for help in fighting antigay laws and sentiment that have led to Ugandan LGBTs to fear for their lives.

Mugisha told The Root that he has to be extra cautious when stepping out of his home every morning.

"If you are an activist," he said, "then you have to calculate and decide, 'Should I take that street, should I go to that shopping mall, should I do this today, even?' Because you don't know where the harassment will come from."

He also said that religious groups, especially evangelical groups, who see an easily impressionable target in Ugandans, who are heavily Christian. Mugisha urged Americans, particularly African Americans to align themselves with organizations that help sexual minorities in Africa like TransAfrica.

"I've done amazing work with TransAfrica," he said. "Other organizations can work directly with us. People can support progressive [nongovernmental organizations] and NGOs that work on human rights. Let people give them support and moral support. It will give us courage."