Although members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community still face stigma and discrimination at the family and society level in Rwanda, they are appreciative of all the government has done to protect them.

Since the removal of the provision that criminalised homosexuality in 2010, the LGBTI community has been granted several rights like freedom of association and worship.

Due to the deeply entrenched stigma about the LGBTI, many of them were foregoing these freedoms.

Many for instance could not go to worship in any religious denomination, but this has changed, especially for Christian members of the LGBTI community, after an inclusive church called Church of God Rwanda, was established in Nyamirambo.

Stigma

“A lot has been achieved. The biggest challenge has been stigma, but this is slowly being curbed and there is no law that punishes us, which has helped,” said Kalisa Geoffrey, the vice president of Amahoro, an organisation promoting LGBTI rights. Kalisa who is also a pastor in the Church of God Rwanda — whose central theme is advancing the gospel of inclusiveness — said beyond spiritual growth, the church is becoming a nucleus for positive change among young members, many of whom were hopeless and drug abusers.

“We give credit to our government which is fighting all forms of discrimination,” he said.

Mr Kalisa said hiding their sexual orientation was hampering their well-being and limiting their access to health services, especially those infected with HIV/Aids.