Dem Bois Podcast

HIV Activism and Trans Advocacy in Uganda with Ruthra Lubega

Shawn Aaron Season 2 Episode 47

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Imagine being unhoused at a young age, disowned by your family because of who you are. Imagine having to stay indoors all day and all night because if you leave your home you could be imprisoned for life. In another Dem Bois Podcast first, today’s guest, Ruthra Lubega doesn’t have to imagine any of these things. Ruthra is an HIV/AIDS and executive director of Positive People Initiative Uganda, and in this episode we talk about what it’s like for trans and gender non-coforming folks living there.

We talk:
Being disowned by your parents at a young age - 5:23
Contracting HIV - 14:32
Ruthra’s belief in God - 22:36
Building community with like-minded people - 28:15
Ruthra’s number one fear - 32:55

Click here for transcript!

Read more about our guest in their bio below:
Ruthra Lubega Is an HIV activist who has lived with HIV/AIDS for the past 12 years and advocates for the rights of HIV positive persons, more so the trans gender persons and gender non conforming persons. Ruthra is the Executive Director of Positive People Initiative Uganda an organization that supports people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Ruthra operates a transitional shelter that provides a diverse space for marginalized persons to socialize and also provides a robust advocate journey for shelter inclusion for people living with HIV/AIDS.


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