Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
LGBTQ activist and Ugandan refugee Chriton Atuhwera, known online as “Trinidad Jerry,” died on April 12 from burn wounds sustained in a homophobic firebomb attack in a Kenyan refugee camp. He was 22.
The attack occurred on Block 13, where approximately 300 LGBTQ refugees live at Camp Kakuma, Kenya’s largest refugee camp.
Atuhwera was studying business administration at a Ugandan university when he was outed and forced to flee to Kenya for safety.
LGBTQ African activists called on human rights and humanitarian organizations to expedite evacuation of queer refugees from Camp Kakuma. They call for all refugees to be protected, regardless of sexual orientation.
As Trinidad Jerry enters eternal life and joins the many martyrs killed for being LGBTQ, may God bless all the LGBTQ refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp!
Links related to Chriton Atuhwera
Beloved trans man dies after horrific petrol bomb attack in Kenyan refugee camp (Pink News)
Out in the World: Death of gay Kakuma refugee spurs LGBTQ Africans’ calls for evacuation (Ebar.com)
Amnesty International Kenya Statement on killing of Chriton Atuhwera
‘Gay’ Ugandan killed in Kenyan refugee camp (Nairobi News)
Homophobic and Transphobic murders at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya (Medium.com)
Related books
“Kenyan, Christian, Queer: Religion, LGBT Activism, and Arts of Resistance in Africa” by Adriaan van Klinken
“Sacred Queer Stories: Ugandan LGBTQ+ Refugee Lives and the Bible,” edited by Adriaan van Klinken and others, 2021.
“Christianity and Controversies over Homosexuality in Contemporary Africa” by Ezra Chitando and Adriaan van Klinken (Editors)
“Heterosexual Africa?: The History of an Idea from the Age of Exploration to the Age of AIDS” (book) by Marc Epprecht
“Freedom To Love For ALL: Homosexuality is not Un-African” (book) by Yemisi Ilesanmi
“American Culture Warriors in Africa: A Guide to the Exporters of Homophobia and Sexism” by Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma
“Boy-Wives and Female Husbands: Studies of African Homosexualities” (book) by Will Roscoe
Links related to LGBTQ Africa
FannyAnn Eddy: Lesbian martyr in Africa (Q Spirit)
David Kato: Ugandan LGBTQ rights activist and martyr (Q Spirit)
Uganda Martyrs raise questions on homosexuality, religion and LGBTQ rights (Q Spirit)
Saint Walatta Petros: African nun shared a lifetime bond with a female partner in 17th-century (Q Spirit)
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Top image credit: Facebook
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This post is part of the LGBTQ Saints series by Kittredge Cherry. Traditional and alternative saints, people in the Bible, LGBTQ martyrs, authors, theologians, religious leaders, artists, deities and other figures of special interest to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and our allies are covered.
This article was originally published on Q Spirit on May 6, 2021 and updated for accuracy on April 11, 2022.
Copyright © Kittredge Cherry. All rights reserved.
Qspirit.net presents the Jesus in Love Blog on LGBTQ spirituality.
