LGBT rights 2013 — a busy year at St. Paul’s Foundation

A summary of this year’s work of the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, which supports LGBT rights and HIV-prevention efforts worldwide:

The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle on "Gay Talk Tonight"
The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle on “Gay Talk Tonight”

January
Albert Ogle was interviewed on New Zealand’s “Gay Talk Tonight” online talk show.  Board, staff and volunteers worked to link bank accounts to the Quickbook system and we had a successful first accounting review carried out for 2012 by Richard R Gay. Colin Stewart released his new publication “From Wrongs to Gay Rights.”

The Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer protests against Prop. 8 in Oakland, Calif., in 2008. (Photo courtesy of SFGate.com)
The Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer protests against Prop. 8 in Oakland, Calif., in 2008. (Photo courtesy of SFGate.com)

February
The Foundation gave awards to Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer of United Church of Christ in Cleveland and human rights attorney Eric Isaacson from the San Diego Unitarian Universal Church in San Diego. We held our first Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the work in Africa. Seven volunteers were trained to provide Internet support to parents and friends of LGBT people, including Angeline Jackson’s project in Jamaica.

Robert Mbega, HIV director of St. Paul’s Center Kampala (second from left) meets with the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle (on right) and RFK Human Rights Center visitors Wade McMullen and Kerry Kennedy.
Robert Mbega, HIV director of St. Paul’s Center Kampala (second from left) meets with the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle (on right) and RFK Human Rights Center visitors Wade McMullen and Kerry Kennedy.

March
Albert Ogle worked with Robert Mbega and Maxensia Nakibuukka to form the Good Samaritan Consortium in Uganda in an attempt to seek sustainable funding for a coalition of 14 service providers working with vulnerable populations i.e. MSM, LGBT, IV drug users and commercial sex workers.

From left: Philip Moeller, Albert Ogle, Victor Mukasa, MacDonald Sembereka and Maxensia Nikibuuka at the World Bank LGBT panel.
From left: Philip Moeller, Albert Ogle, Victor Mukasa, MacDonald Sembereka and Maxensia Nikibuuka at the World Bank LGBT panel.

April
The Foundation was invited to present a panel of experts on LGBT poverty issued at the World Bank and Washington National Cathedral also sponsored by GLOBE and the United Nations Foundation. A full report of the panels can be read here.

The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle with the Executive Committee of the Good Samaritan Consortium in Uganda.
The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle with the Executive Committee of the Good Samaritan Consortium in Uganda.

May
Albert Ogle returned to Uganda to work with the emerging Good Samaritan Consortium and advocates from funding for vulnerable populations to the Secretary of State, PEPFAR and USAID. He was also invited to meet with MSM experts at UNAIDS in Geneva to ensure the AIDS 2015 plan included workable strategies for decreasing higher infection rates in key vulnerable populations.

June
Roger Ross Williams was made Grand Marshall in the San Francisco Pride Parade for his important work on LGBT global equality through his film “God Loves Uganda.”  Following a youth conference in New York attended by a representative of St. Paul’s, the Foundation presented a forum at St Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego on the work on behalf of LGBT rights by the Unitarian Universalist community at the United Nations.

Image of murdered activist Eric Lembembe, with quote from HRW researcher Neela Ghoshal.
Image of murdered activist Portrait of Eric Lembembe, with quote from HRW researcher Neela Ghoshal.

July
Eric Lembembe, an LGBT leader working on HIV issues, was brutally murdered in Cameroon and there was a poor response from government. CAMFAIDS invited the Foundation to raise the funds needed for his funeral and demand an investigation.  The Foundation completed its three-year commitment to the ministry of Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who was featured in the controversial film “God Loves Uganda.” Albert Ogle rode with San Francisco’s Pride’s Grand Marshall, Roger Ross Williams.

Poster for "Love Heals Homophobia."
Poster for “Love Heals Homophobia.”

August
Ed Breeding and Lindy Miles completed “Love Heals Homophobia,” a short film with four African-American straight clergy who trace their journey to full inclusion of LGBT people in the hope it will influence moveable middle clergy leaders in Africa, the Caribbean and USA. The Foundation supported Quality Citizenship Jamaica’s non profit incorporation costs.

Roger Ross Williams, director of "God Loves Uganda"
Roger Ross Williams, director of “God Loves Uganda”

September
Good Samaritan Consortium had its second strategic planning retreat in Uganda and two grant proposals were created to apply for funding. San Diego welcomed Roger Ross Williams for the premiere of “God Loves Uganda.” An asylum seeker we had been supporting all year in Washington finally got work permit approval.

October
The Foundation co-sponsored the first LGBT representative to the World Bank’s Annual Meeting, Khemraj Persuad from Guyana, and took part in a follow-up panel on LGBT and Poverty. We sponsored two Cameroonians to attend the African Human Rights Commission in Banjul, Gambia and work with the Francophone community to increase planning and resources. Four Foundation representatives met with leaders of the San Egidio Community in Rome and the Anglican Center.

J.P. Conly meet with Maxensia Nakibuuka in Uganda (Photo courtesy of San Diego Gay & Lesbian News)
J.P. Conly meet with Maxensia Nakibuuka in Uganda

November
Following the premiere of the film “Love Heals Homophobia” in Washington D.C., we distributed 1,000 copies to our supporters and interested clergy. San Diego nurse JP Conly spent two weeks in Uganda with the Good Samaritan Consortium.

December
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Uganda held the first World AIDS Day commemoration with 3,000 attendees and expressed his support to the Good Samaritan Consortium to open up Catholic health and social services to previously excluded vulnerable populations. He appointed Maxensia Nakibuuka to coordinate all Catholic HIV services in Uganda.

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