During Black History Month, the mainstream media recycles stories about Martin Luther King and Malcolm X while LGBTQ outlets predictably trot out RuPaul, Bayard Rustin, and Laverne Cox and other examples of great African-Americans we’re already well acquainted with.
Over the next week, we’re going to spotlight a few amazing black unsung heroes.
These people are leaders, journalists, and activists who span the entire African diaspora (i.e. not only Americans).
First up, the late David Kato.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
David Kato was a Ugandan teacher and activist considered Uganda’s first openly gay man. Kato came out in in 1998 via a press conference, eventually becoming one of the founding members of SMUG (Sexual Minorities Uganda). Homosexuality remains illegal.
He continued to teach, quitting in 2010 to commit himself entirely to change. Kato advocated before multiple groups, including the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
In 2010, Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone (not that one) published a list of the “top 100 homos” containing a chilling directive to “hang them.” Several people on the list were attacked after publication. The list put Kato’s life in still more danger, and he spoke of his fears with a reporter:
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Kato was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in early 2011 by his houseguest and acquaintance Nsubuga Enock in what was Enock called a “personal disagreement.” It is still illegal to be gay in Uganda, though Kato’s actions have helped to move the tolerance needle forward.
In 2012 Uganda held its first pride march, though it was marred by violence. It remains an annual event, and upwards of 400 people turned up for another march in 2015.
Kato’s story was made into the documentary Call Me Kuchu. We salute his memory.
Watch the trailer for Call Me Kuchu below. Check it out:
ProfessorMoriarty
Kato was an incredibly brave man. An excellent choice to spotlight .
Kangol
David Kato’s bravery and vision should inspire us all. Very good that Queerty is featuring him. There are many living and deceased black LGBTIQ heroes out there, so it’s nice to see one honored here.
Xzamilio
Thank you for this, Queerty. There are so many things that we as individuals in the western world have that LGBTQ members in other parts of the world do not have, and the spotlight needs to continue shining on these countries with their draconian practices and archaic beliefs that allow atrocities like this to continue happening. Thank you, Kato, for being unapologetic in your sexuality and fearless in fighting for equal rights for Ugandan LGBTQ individuals.
Stache
Wow. That’s true bravery. I can’t imagine living in that shithole of a country and being a gay activist.
1EqualityUSA
We have to keep fighting. Future LGBT communities depend on us. We have made progress this last decade, despite the couple of pants-shitters in our midst. Our country and its Constitution will have been made stronger for having gone through this. David Kato is a testament to how important our humanity remains, no matter how others may want to strip us of our authentic selves. Some would force us to lie about ourselves. Damaged, is one who would have another lie.
Aromaeus
Black History Month is more than half way gone but thanks I guess lol.
Imperialist
Thank you for spot-lighting someone who did something IMPORTANT. Basta! with the entertainers.
Chris
WOW! This is a true hero.
CCTR
@Aromaeus: Lol, sometimes better late than never
Mykey
A lot of this has to do with religion and its absolute hold on Africans especially!! Very sad indeed! RIP David… Great and brave man you were…
JessPH
Gay people are being killed in Africa. Meanwhile, gays in the first world are whining when Grindr goes down.
May Kato rest in peace. He will always be remembered for his courage.
Brian
Heroes put their lives on the line. David Kato was a true hero. Please, please, please let’s hear more of the David Katos of the black community and less of the RuPauls.
David Kato lives on in our memories as a truly courageous human being in a very hateful land.
Maleko
@Stache: Neither can I. Uganda was poisoned by 3 Evangelicals from the USA. They did try to get the death penalty for homosexual acts; they were successful in including the death penalty in the original bill. So many countries were very offended by putting the death penalty in the bill that Uganda passed a bill to remove it from their laws. How fugklng sweet and considerate they are. Gays are so hated in most of Africa, all of the countries in the middle east save Israel, much of Asia; India and Pakistan for instance), Parts of Central America and South America. We have out work cut our for us. But in my opinion (that won’t be too popular on Queerty,) David Cato, although he was a major symbol for the hatred in Uganda towards gay people, should have gotten in his car (or a friends car) and got out of the country at least a month before the vicious law was passed. Get on a airplane and get away from Uganda. You see, he can’t be an effective activist from six feet underground. He was more helpful to the gay community alive and talking. Given that he was a homosexual the was killed in Uganda, his death was hardly a story worldwide. You’re gay in Uganda, that place that is really hateful against gays, it’s hardly news outside of Uganda and local country’s that you ask yourself why is he there in the first place.
Aranos
A hero. Thank you for commemorating him.