The documentary titled “A Voice Within” is the first of its kind in Uganda, and it was directed by Vincent Kyabayinze who is also the EAVA Artists Executive Director.
During the unveiling event, Mr Kyabayinze said the screening wouldn’t be held in a theatre as usual because theatres are still closed in observance of the Presidential guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“That aside, today is a wonderful day because we are in presence of men of God as we engage them to be more welcoming of LGBTIQ persons in their places of worship,” Kyabayinze said.
Uganda is a culturally and religiously diverse nation with Christianity as the most widely professed religion. According to the 2014 census, over 84% of the population are Christians, and about 14% adhered to Islam.
Religious leaders are therefore very influential in communities and have a very large following both on and offline. At least 18 out of the 26 free-to-air local television channels in Uganda are owned by religious institutions or conservative clerics/pastors who are anti-LGBTIQ rights.
According to Kyabayinze, the few religious leaders who preach love and respect for LGBTIQ persons are not given platforms or media space on these channels.
“The genesis of the documentary was in 2018 when we identified gaps and need to engage faith leaders and amplify voices of religious leaders who are using the Bible to preach Love, to undo the myth of God hates LGBTIQ persons, to counter the messages of hate and stigmatization preached on a daily and to restore dignity, safety and respect for LGBTIQ persons” Kyabayinze.
Pastor Simon of the Living gospel Church is one of the faith leaders featured in the documentary.
He says all affirming religious leaders and all preachers of the gospel to preach exclusivity.
“Let us speak up as they speak, let us preach the right theology as they preach the wrong theology, we shall make the wrongs they have made right,” he said.
Reverend Canon Professor Gideon, another faith leader who features in the documentary says;
“We are at the stage where civilization demands we don’t postpone some questions if we are to protect one another and live in harmony, each community can look at its own mechanism if we are to live and thrive together”.
According to the EAVA Executive Director Vincent Kyabayinze, efforts to get more religious leaders onboard are underway.
“Our role as an organization is to look for solutions to solve our day to today challenges, when we noticed that there was a gap in religious inclusion, we started engaging religious leaders. This is not an easy task, but we are on the right path” he said.
Bishop Christopher, another cleric who spoke to us, affirms that one of the reasons why some religious leaders discriminate against LGBTIQ persons is in the book of Prophet Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;” He stressed the fact that we need to engage other faith leaders to understand that human sexuality is diverse.
One of the people who attend the screening was amazed to find out that there is an LGBTIQ church, she promised to go and worship with the church where she will feel welcome.
