**On January 24, 2023, Pope Francis stated in an interview with the AP that being a homosexual is not a crime. This reminded me of a conversation that I had in October of 2022 with Dr. Frank Mugisha of Uganda about being gay and also Catholic. Today, Deep Dive is re-visiting that conversation. **

Today I’m talking to Dr. Frank Mugisha. He is the Executive Director of SMUG – which stands for Sexual Minorities Uganda, a support and advocacy organization for queer Ugandans that was recently shut down by the Uganda government. For his work, Frank was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and the Rafto Prize in 2011. In 2014, he was a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2017, he was listed as one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Greatest Leaders. And, this year, 2022, he was awarded the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award.   

In Uganda, gay sex is illegal and, depending on the charges levied, could carry the death penalty. In addition to harassment by government officials and law enforcement, mob violence is a very real threat in Uganda. This has led to the beating and murder of a number of Frank’s friends and colleagues. Since SMUG was shut down, the government has waged a social media campaign directly targeting Frank, labeling him a groomer and pedophile (mirroring the same tactics that Republicans are employing in the states).
 
 I want to thank United States Senator Tammy Baldwin and her office for providing some assistance.

If you would like to assist Frank in any way, whether it be moral, legal, or emotional support, please contact him at frankmugisha@gmail.com

You can also contact Shawn at deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com for other ways to provide support, or to make the appropriate connection on your behalf.

If you are are in a similiar situation, or know someone who is, the following resources may be useful:

Center for Constitutional Rights

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service - Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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Majestic Earth - Joystock