The Role of Transphobia in Ethno-Religious Identity and its Weaponization Throughout Uganda and Russia
To the queer high school students in Uganda who've shown me what true courage, perseverance, and authenticity to oneself is.
By BaoChau Le
Introduction
On the internet right now are two viral posts related to queerness. The first is a video of an interviewee constantly being asked ‘why are you gay’ and ‘what makes you gay.’
(Youtube, 2019)
The second piece is known as ‘Putin in Drag,’ and depicts the Russian leader with long lashes and heavy makeup. While these might be recognizable “memes,” they’re each, more importantly symbols of resistance against the oppression that queer, specifically trans, individuals face in Uganda and Russia. The interviewee is Mr. Pepe Julian Onizema, one of Uganda’s leading trans-rights activists. Through his activism he has sustained over 7 arrests, brought global attention to the plights of trans and queer individuals in Uganda, and has substantially challenged Uganda’s anti-homosexuality laws. (National Endowment for Democracy, n.d)
Figure 2: Known as 'Putin in Drag', used by LGTBQ+ activists group during protest in Spain, Getty Images
While the ‘Putin in Drag’ image is widely used in antihomophobia and pro-queer protests as a powerful symbol of defiance against the discriminatory legislation that the Russian government continuously endorses. Uganda and Russia have been ranked among the most dangerous and oppressive places to live for trans individuals. (Pew Research Center, 2014) In both nations, systematic oppression of trans individuals is carried out through legislation that criminalizes queerness, prohibits access to gender-affirming care, and punishes those who express their true identities.
There are four main reasons why regimes such as those in Russia and Uganda are passing oppressive LGBTQ legislation: religion, nationalism, children and family, and control. Religion often takes a conservative stance when it comes to trans individuals as interpretations of religious texts depict binary genders and heteronormative relationships. Nations with a strong religious identity rely on their religion as the cornerstone of their legal and moral frameworks, which consequently produces legislation that promotes these conservative ideals. Secondly, nationalism plays a crucial role in anti-trans legislation because passing such laws is seen as the protection of traditional cultural identities. Trans rights are seen as antithetical to national values, so many regimes see the existence of trans individuals as a threat to the national identity. Thirdly, conservative politicians constantly claim that children’s welfare and family structure are under threat because trans people are seen as a threat to traditional, heteronormative family structures. Such arguments suggest that exposure to gender and sexuality education would undermine a child’s understanding of the heteronormative world and persuade them to engage in nontraditional relationships. Lastly, politicians and interest groups tend to attack marginalized minorities to solidify their power and control.
In this paper, I will examine how politicians and interest groups in Russia and Uganda weaponize anti-trans rhetoric to instill fear and to control their people. In Russia, Vladimir Putin is targeting LGTBQ+ people, specifically the trans community, claiming that they are a threat to the Russian identity and security. Similarly, in Uganda, Museveni and American conservative religious groups are also framing the existence of trans people as a threat to the national Ugandan-Christian values.
Russia: Preserving Russian Identity through Transphobia
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine by attacking the capital, Kyiv, and the second-largest city, Kharkiv. Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin carried out this mobilization with the narrative that Ukraine was created illegitimately and rightfully belongs to Russia. (Beauchamp, 2022) Therefore, Ukraine’s establishment of democracy, Western alliance, and adoption of Western ideals, such as growing acceptance of trans individuals, is cast as direct defiance of Russia’s authority. (MacFarquhar, 2023 ) Russia currently claims that the westernization of Ukraine is a national security threat. (Ioanes, 2022) If Western ideals and alliances can prosper in Ukraine, it will only be a matter of time until they cross Russian borders. To legitimatize and protect Russian authority and ideology, Putin argues that he must bring Ukraine back to the Russian homefront. (Ioanes, 2022)
Nearly two years after the full-scale invasion started, Russia has spent an estimated 132 billion USD and occupies only 18 percent of Ukrainian territory. (Shatz and Clint, 2023) The RAND Corporation estimated in 2023 that with the drastic decline of the Russian economy and the longevity of the war, the quality of life for Russians would also plummet. To ramp up support for his war, his platform, and his unchecked power, Putin has created a narrative intended to unite Russians and demonstrate to the Russian people the progress that the nation is making. The 37-minute address that he gave in September 2022 solidified his stance on how the war in Ukraine is more than a territorial dispute. It’s a war, he claimed, fought to protect Russian values and the ‘ideal’ Russian family.
Specifically, Putin argued that the ‘Satanism’ of the United States was seeping into Ukraine and tainting the Russian diaspora that resides there. This ‘satanism’ comes in the form of the “denial of man,” or when people undergo gender-affirming care or deviate from heteronormativity. (Steib, 2022) He asked the people of Russia if they were willing to let “their children be drilled into them that there are supposedly some genders besides women and men, and offered the chance to undergo sex-change operations?” (Steib, 2022) In this speech, Putin deliberately villainized Ukraine, the West, and trans people and described them as a threat to the traditional fabric of Russian society. He ended his speech affirming that the war will “protect the youth of Russia against the perversions that lead to this degradation.” (Steib, 2022) Recently, the Russian leader gave an interview with Tucker Carlson, where he reconfirmed his stance that what he did was to “protect our people, ourselves, our homeland, and our future.” (Folkenflik, 2024) Through his speeches and interviews, Putin still maintains the position that that this war is being fought to protect Russians from the queer and specifically, trans, rhetoric that he purports is coming out from Ukraine.
The Ideal Russian Family
An integral part of the Russian identity is the Family Code of Russia. Legislatively, the Family Code of Russia is a set of regulations and laws that guide Russia through the processes of marriage, divorce, adoption, and childbearing. Culturally, the Family Code of Russia sets a precedent for an ideal Russian family. This ideal family is a heterosexual family that is faithful to the Russian Orthodox Church and the regime. Any other family structure that does not fit the ideal can be seen as a threat to traditional values, the youth, and the Russian identity.
To protect the ideal Russian family, the Russian government passed the Mizulina law in 2013, which limited gender and sexuality education to individuals over the age of 18. (Vazquez-Lorgia, 2020) The legislators who championed this amendment said that this was done to protect children against the promotion the ‘nontraditional families,’ or any family that was not led by a heterosexual couple. Two years later in 2015, Russia passed additional legislation that prohibited trans people to change their genders on legal documents and queerness was categorized as ‘a mental illness on par with schizophrenia and dementia.’ (Walker, 2015) As a result, trans individuals were restricted from obtaining jobs, legal documents such as driver licenses and passports, and even enrollment in higher education. With their travels restricted, many trans people were unable to flee the country since they could not legally obtain a passport. Staying in Russia was also difficult because trans people were unable to secure the necessary paperwork to obtain jobs. Finally, the pinnacle of Putin’s attack on the trans community was when his legislators passed their most discriminatory anti-transgender law in July 2023. The new amendment in the Russia’s Family Code criminalized gender-affirming care such as the use of hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery. The law also prohibits trans individuals and couples from adopting children or assuming guardianship over any child. (Human Rights Watch, 2023). Putin and his government are intentionally criminalizing the existence of trans individuals and nontraditional families, presenting it as a form of neocolonialism perpetuated by Ukraine and the West.
Uganda: Preserving Ugandan-Christian Ideals through Transphobia
Unfortunately, Russia is not the only country that targets and attacks the trans community in the name of protecting ‘traditional values and identities.’ Uganda is ranked as one of the most dangerous countries to live in as a queer individual. In May 2023, Uganda passed the Kill the Gays Bill which is recognized by the international communities as one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws to exist. The bill states that any demonstration of ‘aggravated homosexuality’, could result in imprisonment and, potentially, the death penalty. (Dahir, 2023) For trans individuals, simply existing as themselves could bring the death penalty upon them. Uganda is not the only African country to silence and oppress queer voices. More than 32 countries throughout the continent have criminalized same-sex relationships or nontraditional relationships, with the punishments ranging from imprisonment to execution. Many African countries view queer, specifically trans, people as a deviation from religious beliefs. African, specifically Ugandan politicians argue that tolerance of trans individuals is Western and imperialistic. Ironically, contemporary transphobia in Uganda was formalized during the British colonial era and, more recently, through Western-Evangelical funding and political action.
Figure 4: Ugandans Celebrating One of the Passing of Anti-LGTBQ Laws, The Guardian, 2010
s
A Not-So African, African Transphobia
Transphobia in Africa is a complex convergence of colonization, post-colonial independence, and religious missionary efforts. When the United States and the European nations laid claim to African territory in the 19th century, it was through many mediums – most notoriously missionary work. Many Africans were forced to conform to Christian beliefs and ideals, because those who practiced indigenous African religions were seen as ‘backwards’ and ‘uncivilized.’(Klinken 2017) Being Christian during colonial times also meant that you had greater access to resources such as employment, education, safety, and social mobility. Whether it was out of desperation, opportunity, or good faith, many Africans subjected themselves to the Christian narrative that was propagated by their colonizers. These benefits, coupled with propaganda that ‘Africans needed to be civilized,’ and how greatness can only be achieved with adherence to the beliefs of those in power, colonizers, created a strong foundation for Christianity in Africa. (Ward, n.d.) By the mid to late 20th century, many African nations were declaring independence from their Western oppressors and while the oppressors left, the religion and its narratives did not. Like many other African nations, Uganda experienced colonialism by Britain and was also subjected to its Christianization.
After the fight for independence from the British was achieved, Uganda faced an era of political instability. The second and third presidents were tyrants who brought economic and political insecurity to the nation. (Ward, n.d.) During these times, the church not only acted as a pillar of political righteousness, but also provided food banks, health clinics, orphanages, shelters, and schools. When the government was not able to provide, the church stepped up. Therefore, the church plays an indispensable role in many Ugandans’ lives, and many see it as a higher power than the government. Political instability expanded the role of the church beyond its religious doctrine and resulted in the Ugandan identity becoming, for many, synonymous with Christianity. (Ward, n.d.)
Due to religion’s, specifically Christianity’s, integral role in Ugandan society, the church is seen as an unofficial legislature for the nation. Ugandans align their legislation with the teachings of the church to ensure the highest standards of morality and righteousness. The Church of Uganda and the Roman Catholic Church, therefore, have been key players in the passing of anti-LGBTQIA+, specifically anti-trans, legislation in Africa. (Ward, n.d.; Epprecht 2014) However, these institutions are not solely African. The Catholic, Pentecostal, and Anglican churches of Uganda have strong ties with American conservatives, participating in international conferences and receiving monetary and ideological support from them. (Klinken 2017) Scott Lively, a notorious anti-LGBTQ supporter and politician, has traveled to Uganda on multiple occasions to spread his hateful rhetoric. Lively preaches that trans people are masked pedophiles who are recruiting the youth to join their communities. He claimed that trans people were responsible for the Rwandan genocide and that strong policies are necessary to stop the ‘evil institution of homosexuality.’ (Human Rights Watch, n.d.) Lively appearances at national sermons, TV stations, and Christian conferences have induced a moral panic in Uganda and amplified the preexisting prejudices and hostility against trans individuals in the country. (Human Rights Watch, n.d.)
Scott Lively was not the only perpetrator of such anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. The documentary, ‘God Loves Uganda,’ directed by Roger Ross Williams in 2013, utilized secret cameras to expose how evangelical missionaries would travel to Uganda and give disadvantaged communities resources in exchange for participating in their sermons. In these sermons, the preachers targeted and demonized the trans community. Phrases such as ‘Gays do not go to heaven’ and claims that queerness is a deviation from God’s intentions were constantly drilled into Ugandan communities. At schools, students celebrated and thanked President Museveni for signing the harshest anti-LGBTQ, because they are taught by trusted officials that homosexuality is a choice that is only made by people who are ‘ungodly.’ No community in Uganda has been spared from the hateful rhetoric against trans people.
There is a distinctive demonization of the trans community in Uganda carried out by Western activists, religious authorities, and Ugandan legislators. By leveraging their international connections, financial resources, and religious authority, American conservative groups have effectively exported their discriminatory rhetoric to Uganda. While Uganda might serve as a conduit for this rhetoric, it is important to remember the significant role that American conservative institutions have in fueling discriminatory legislation. With the Kill the Gay bill being passed, Uganda sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the African continent. Over [#] countries in Africa already have restrictive ant-LGBTQ laws, and with Uganda taking this step, many could soon follow suit. (Bhandari, 2024) This means that trans individuals across Africa are at risk of not having access to critical gender-affirming care and basic human rights.
Conclusion
Both Putin and Museveni target the trans community to promote the protection of national and religious identities. They frame the existence of trans individuals as a direct attack on religious, traditional, and societal norms. In doing so, they have stirred up fear and prejudice from the majority and gained their support in passing oppressive legislation. These legislative and social precedents remove every support mechanism that trans people would need, ultimately criminalizing their existence. It is also worth noting that the oppression of trans individuals is a worldwide phenomenon. In the United States alone, the ACLU estimates that over 450 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced into the American legislative circuit, and over 100 of them are anti-trans bills. (ACLU, 2023) These bills vary from banning trans athletes’ competition in sports, limiting access to gender-affirming care, and banning gender and sexuality education. It is essential for us to realize that these legislation does more than strip away systematic support for trans communities such legislation aims to criminalize and eradicate trans communities. (ACLU, 2023) Wherever anti-trans legislation happens, it is a security issue, a human security issue, and trans lives will continue to be vulnerable.
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