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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2023: Trans women Olivia and Pretty are seen on the weekend in a local hotel swimming pool close to their safe house, this is one of the very few places where they can risk being themselves when no-one is watching. Olivia is sick and living in a refugee camp and Pretty plays an almost maternal role in their relationship. They are seen comforting each other in a rare moment of public spontaneity. This kind of display of affection would draw negative attention in almost all of Kenya and the police would likely be called. Both of these trans women have refugee status but the perception of homosexuality would almost certainly lead to arrest and extortion. Olivia is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Olivia is in Nairobi because she is sick and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. Pretty is a make-up artist and fellow refugee. Pretty has been waiting five years for her resettlement status from the UN agencies. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: 18 year old Ayan Farah Dahr was born as a girl but identifies as a trans man. When he was 15, he left his home in Mogadishu, Somalia; found his way onto a bus that took him to the Kenyan border and, under cover of darkness, he walked over the Kenyan border and made his way to Nairobi. He did this to escape persecution in Somalia for being who he felt he really was, a boy trapped in a female body that felt male to him. When he finally got to Nairobi, he slept rough outside the headquarters of UNHCR because he had heard that the UN offered resettlement programs for persecuted LBGTQIA people. In Somalia, his family had him arrested for dressing like a boy, they said he was a bad influence on girls. When he got to Nairobi, he tried to get a job in the Somali district of Eastley, there shopkeepers grabbed him and stripped him to find out what he was. Ayan was deeply traumatized by that and he finds it difficult to leave the safe house he's finally in, provided by the Refugee Coalition of East Africa, who try to care for LGBTQIA youth who had to flee their homes for their own protection. Ayan waits now to hear if he will be resettled, he hopes in America, a process that could take many years. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia and Pretty are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed dressing up in a safe house in Nairobi where Pretty lives and Olivia is visting from Kakuma refugee camp. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Pretty Peter is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now lives in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. She is seen in her bedroom talking to a friend. She lives with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as a woman within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Pretty and her friend Lady Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia, Pretty and Cyara are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed doing their make-up in a safe house in Nairobi where Pretty lives and Olivia is visting from Kakuma refugee camp. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, SServaadda Wahabu in the stripes, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Cyara ,20, is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty and Olivia and Sseradda. Today Cyara and her friends will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. Olivia is in Nairobi because she need treatment and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia,25, is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Olivia is seen using a hair remover so that she can apply her make-up. Today Olivia and her friends will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. Olivia is in Nairobi because she need treatment and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia and Pretty are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed in Pretty's bedroom in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi. Olivia and Pretty are seen using a hair remover so that she can apply her make-up. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia,25, is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed getting ready in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Today Olivia and her friends will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. Olivia is in Nairobi because she need treatment and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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JOHANNESSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, DeLovie Kwagala (papa De,) self described as the first 1st openly non-binary Queer photographer from Uganda, human rights activist and Photojournalist. DeLovie is a staunch advocate for queer people and is in exile from Uganda for safety reasons.

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JOHANNESSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, August 17th, 2023: DeLovie Kwagala (papa De,) self described as the first 1st openly non-binary Queer photographer from Uganda, human rights activist and Photojournalist.

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JOHANNESSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, August 17th, 2023: DeLovie Kwagala (papa De,) self described as the first 1st openly non-binary Queer photographer from Uganda, human rights activist and Photojournalist. DeLovie is in exile from Uganda for safety reasons.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: Craig Paris is the director for the Nairobi division of the Refugee Coalition of East Africa which provides safe houses and counselling and skills services to LGBTQIA people who have fled persecution in their home countries for their choice of lifestyle. Craig is from Uganda, which has severe laws criminalizing homosexuality. He fled Uganda in 2015 and came to Kenya as a refugee seeking resettlement via the UN to a more gay friendly country. “I’m a gay man, for a long time I thought I was the only gay man in Uganda, but university was a revelation, there are many other people like me. I come from a Muslim family and my brother actually outed me to my parents. My father kicked me out of the house.” Craig is hoping to be resettled in NY, with the help of an American organization. He says that all gay Ugandans leave Uganda hoping to be resettled but most gay people come from impoverished and uneducated circumstances and that makes it very difficult, so they are often stuck in limbo in Kenya. There are organization that help in Kenya but overall, it is not that friendly to the LGGTQIA community and there is increasing hostility. “Being gay can often disenfranchise you from opportunity, you can’t legally work and so you have to learn skills to get by. Even if you get the right to work, there is a lot of prejudice and that is why sex work is sometimes the only thing open to you. Even then, it’s all about your looks. “Craig lost touch with his family but would like to speak to his mom. “I lost my family, but I have found another one within my community in Kenya and around the world.” (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: "MARY," is a queer parent of three children who is a refugee from Uganda fleeing persection under harsh anti LGBT laws. Mary fled her own husband after he caught her with a girlfriend. He tied them both up and beat them severely. He then left the house with Mary's girlfriend and she has not been seen or heard from again. While they were gone Mary managed to free herself and flee. After a number of of months of planning, she was able to fetch her children and flee Uganda and her vengeful husband. She now lives in a safe house in Kenya. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experieince greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness." (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: O.R.A.M counsellor Barbara Ngianah, 28, listens to Alex Nsamba as he relates his experiences as a gay man who had to flee Uganda to avoid persecution. Alex has been in Kenya since Uganda launched hostile new laws against gay people in 2015 which led to large scale violence and some killings. Alex has been repeatedly targeted by the Kenyan police and recently spent 8 months in prison on illegal migrant charges. Through ORAM he has developed barbering skills, massage and nail care skills and would very much like to open a small salon. This is part of the skills training program run by O.R.A.M, an organization that provides skills training, small business skills and seed funding for vulnerable LBGT people. Most of the people in the image fled Uganda's hostile anti-gay laws and have sought a fragile refuge in Nairobi, Kenya. The Refugee Coalition of East Africa tries to help LBGT people who have had to flee their countries due to persecution and tries to get them into resettlement prgorams via the UN. This is a process that takes years and LGBT people are particularly vulnerable as they cannot work and are viewed with predjudice by most Kenyans. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: LBGT youth dig a "kitchen garden" at a safe house in Nairobi. This is a skills training program run by O.R.A.M, an organization that provides skills training, small business skills and seed funding for vulnerable LBGT people. Most of the people in the image fled Uganda's hostile anti-gay laws and have sought a fragile refuge in Nairobi, Kenya. The Refugee Coalition of East Africa tries to help LBGT people who have had to flee their countries due to persecution and tries to get them into resettlement prgorams via the UN. This is a process that takes years and LGBT people are particularly vulnerable as they cannot work and are viewed with predjudice by most Kenyans.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: "Jerome," not his real name, is a queer parent who is a refugee from Uganda fleeing persection under harsh anti LGBT laws. He has found a way to support himself and his child by selling grilled chicken on the street in Nairobi. This is not that safe though, with Kenyan vendors resenting his success. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experieince greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness."

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2023: Trans women Olivia and Pretty are seen on the weekend in a local hotel swimming pool close to their safe house, this is one of the very few places where they can risk being themselves when no-one is watching. Olivia is sick and living in a refugee camp and Pretty plays an almost maternal role in their relationship. They are seen comforting each other in a rare moment of public spontaneity. This kind of display of affection would draw negative attention in almost all of Kenya and the police would likely be called. Both of these trans women have refugee status but the perception of homosexuality would almost certainly lead to arrest and extortion. Olivia is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Olivia is in Nairobi because she is sick and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. Pretty is a make-up artist and fellow refugee. Pretty has been waiting five years for her resettlement status from the UN agencies.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 1 October 2023: Scenes of fellowship at the Cosmopolitan Affirming Church at an undisclosed location in Nairobi. The identities of the church-goers are protected in this frame to protect the members from violent prejudice and discrimination. Kenya has become a hub for LGBT members who are fleeing violence in Uganda and other African nations. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 2 OCTOBER 2023: Cyara and Olivia, not their real names, are trans women who have fled harsh LGBT laws in Uganda and are now refugees awaiting asylum status in Kenya. They are seen at St Mary’s hospital in Nairobi donating blood for a sick friend in the hospital in need of a transfusion. Both Olivia and Cyara have experienced life-threatening prejudice and violence and would like to be resettled overseas in a more LGBT friendly country. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 2 OCTOBER 2023: SSeradda, Cyara and Olivia, not their real names, are trans women who have fled harsh LGBT laws in Uganda and are now refugees awaiting asylum status in Kenya. They are seen at St Mary’s hospital in Nairobi visiting Mama Makeba, another trans woman who became severely ill and had to be hospitalized. Mama Makeba was in two previous hospitals where she received inadequate care resulting in her being move to St Mary’s where she received treatment. Mama Makeba this delay in treatment in the other hospitals was due to both her refugee status and her LGBT status. All of the trans women in this image have experienced life-threatening prejudice and violence and would like to be resettled overseas in a more LGBT friendly country.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: "Dewey" and "Maggie" are Ugandan refugees who fled Uganda because Dewey is bisexual. Uganda has some of the harshest anti LGBT laws in the world and this has prompted an exodus of that community into Kenya. Maggie came from a stricter Muslim family but she chose to flee with Dewey and their kids because she loves him. They are hoping to be resettled in Canada. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experieince greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness."

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: Queer mom "Allen" is seen with her son in the courtyard of a safe house in Nairobi. They have just arrived in Kenya after fleeing persecution under harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experience greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness." (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia and Pretty are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed dressing up in a safe house in Nairobi where Pretty lives and Olivia is visting from Kakuma refugee camp. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Cyara, Pretty and Olivia are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed leaving a safe house for trans women in Nairobi to go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi. They always prepare extensively for these outings but take care not to be seen publically until they are in a safe place. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 1 October 2023: Sseraadda, Cyara, Pretty and Olivia are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed arriving at the K1 Club in Nairobi where their presence is controversial but relatively safe. They prefer to use the back entrance to the club to attract less negative attention at the main gate. They always prepare extensively for these outings but take care not to be seen publically until they are in a safe place. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 1 October 2023: Cyara, Pretty and Olivia are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed arriving at the back entrance for the K1 Club in Nairobi. They prefer to use the back entrance to attract less negative attention at the main gate. They always prepare extensively for these outings but take care not to be seen publically until they are in a safe place. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2023: Trans women Olivia and Pretty are seen on the weekend in a local hotel swimming pool close to their safe house, this is one of the very few places where they can risk being themselves when no-one is watching. Olivia is sick and living in a refugee camp and Pretty plays an almost maternal role in their relationship. They are seen comforting each other in a rare moment of public spontaneity. This kind of display of affection would draw negative attention in almost all of Kenya and the police would likely be called. Both of these trans women have refugee status but the perception of homosexuality would almost certainly lead to arrest and extortion. Olivia is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Olivia is in Nairobi because she is sick and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. Pretty is a make-up artist and fellow refugee. Pretty has been waiting five years for her resettlement status from the UN agencies. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: 18 year old Ayan Farah Dahr was born as a girl but identifies as a trans man. When he was 15, he left his home in Mogadishu, Somalia; found his way onto a bus that took him to the Kenyan border and, under cover of darkness, he walked over the Kenyan border and made his way to Nairobi. He did this to escape persecution in Somalia for being who he felt he really was, a boy trapped in a female body that felt male to him. When he finally got to Nairobi, he slept rough outside the headquarters of UNHCR because he had heard that the UN offered resettlement programs for persecuted LBGTQIA people. In Somalia, his family had him arrested for dressing like a boy, they said he was a bad influence on girls. When he got to Nairobi, he tried to get a job in the Somali district of Eastley, there shopkeepers grabbed him and stripped him to find out what he was. Ayan was deeply traumatized by that and he finds it difficult to leave the safe house he's finally in, provided by the Refugee Coalition of East Africa, who try to care for LGBTQIA youth who had to flee their homes for their own protection. Ayan waits now to hear if he will be resettled, he hopes in America, a process that could take many years. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia and Pretty are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed dressing up in a safe house in Nairobi where Pretty lives and Olivia is visting from Kakuma refugee camp. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Pretty Peter is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now lives in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. She is seen in her bedroom talking to a friend. She lives with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as a woman within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Pretty and her friend Lady Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia, Pretty and Cyara are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed doing their make-up in a safe house in Nairobi where Pretty lives and Olivia is visting from Kakuma refugee camp. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, SServaadda Wahabu in the stripes, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Cyara ,20, is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty and Olivia and Sseradda. Today Cyara and her friends will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. Olivia is in Nairobi because she need treatment and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023: Lady Tina, in the wig, and Pretty Peter are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and now live in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. They live with other trans woman and keeps a low profile, only dressing as women within the privacy of the house and only very occasionally going out like that to a sympathetic bar. Both Pretty and Tina were jailed for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault in prison, Lady Tina is waiting to be resettled in Toronto, Canada and Pretty is still waiting for a decision. Both were betrayed by a fellow trans woman who informed on them to the Ugandan authorities, they were arrested and imprisoned but later released. Ironically, the person who betrayed them was the first gay person to be arrested under Uganda's draconian new anti LGBT laws and is now in prison serving a very long term. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia,25, is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Olivia is seen using a hair remover so that she can apply her make-up. Today Olivia and her friends will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. Olivia is in Nairobi because she need treatment and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia and Pretty are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed in Pretty's bedroom in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi. Olivia and Pretty are seen using a hair remover so that she can apply her make-up. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia,25, is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed getting ready in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Today Olivia and her friends will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings. Olivia is in Nairobi because she need treatment and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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JOHANNESSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, DeLovie Kwagala (papa De,) self described as the first 1st openly non-binary Queer photographer from Uganda, human rights activist and Photojournalist. DeLovie is a staunch advocate for queer people and is in exile from Uganda for safety reasons.

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JOHANNESSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, August 17th, 2023: DeLovie Kwagala (papa De,) self described as the first 1st openly non-binary Queer photographer from Uganda, human rights activist and Photojournalist.

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JOHANNESSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, August 17th, 2023: DeLovie Kwagala (papa De,) self described as the first 1st openly non-binary Queer photographer from Uganda, human rights activist and Photojournalist. DeLovie is in exile from Uganda for safety reasons.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: Craig Paris is the director for the Nairobi division of the Refugee Coalition of East Africa which provides safe houses and counselling and skills services to LGBTQIA people who have fled persecution in their home countries for their choice of lifestyle. Craig is from Uganda, which has severe laws criminalizing homosexuality. He fled Uganda in 2015 and came to Kenya as a refugee seeking resettlement via the UN to a more gay friendly country. “I’m a gay man, for a long time I thought I was the only gay man in Uganda, but university was a revelation, there are many other people like me. I come from a Muslim family and my brother actually outed me to my parents. My father kicked me out of the house.” Craig is hoping to be resettled in NY, with the help of an American organization. He says that all gay Ugandans leave Uganda hoping to be resettled but most gay people come from impoverished and uneducated circumstances and that makes it very difficult, so they are often stuck in limbo in Kenya. There are organization that help in Kenya but overall, it is not that friendly to the LGGTQIA community and there is increasing hostility. “Being gay can often disenfranchise you from opportunity, you can’t legally work and so you have to learn skills to get by. Even if you get the right to work, there is a lot of prejudice and that is why sex work is sometimes the only thing open to you. Even then, it’s all about your looks. “Craig lost touch with his family but would like to speak to his mom. “I lost my family, but I have found another one within my community in Kenya and around the world.” (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: "MARY," is a queer parent of three children who is a refugee from Uganda fleeing persection under harsh anti LGBT laws. Mary fled her own husband after he caught her with a girlfriend. He tied them both up and beat them severely. He then left the house with Mary's girlfriend and she has not been seen or heard from again. While they were gone Mary managed to free herself and flee. After a number of of months of planning, she was able to fetch her children and flee Uganda and her vengeful husband. She now lives in a safe house in Kenya. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experieince greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness." (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: O.R.A.M counsellor Barbara Ngianah, 28, listens to Alex Nsamba as he relates his experiences as a gay man who had to flee Uganda to avoid persecution. Alex has been in Kenya since Uganda launched hostile new laws against gay people in 2015 which led to large scale violence and some killings. Alex has been repeatedly targeted by the Kenyan police and recently spent 8 months in prison on illegal migrant charges. Through ORAM he has developed barbering skills, massage and nail care skills and would very much like to open a small salon. This is part of the skills training program run by O.R.A.M, an organization that provides skills training, small business skills and seed funding for vulnerable LBGT people. Most of the people in the image fled Uganda's hostile anti-gay laws and have sought a fragile refuge in Nairobi, Kenya. The Refugee Coalition of East Africa tries to help LBGT people who have had to flee their countries due to persecution and tries to get them into resettlement prgorams via the UN. This is a process that takes years and LGBT people are particularly vulnerable as they cannot work and are viewed with predjudice by most Kenyans. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023: LBGT youth dig a "kitchen garden" at a safe house in Nairobi. This is a skills training program run by O.R.A.M, an organization that provides skills training, small business skills and seed funding for vulnerable LBGT people. Most of the people in the image fled Uganda's hostile anti-gay laws and have sought a fragile refuge in Nairobi, Kenya. The Refugee Coalition of East Africa tries to help LBGT people who have had to flee their countries due to persecution and tries to get them into resettlement prgorams via the UN. This is a process that takes years and LGBT people are particularly vulnerable as they cannot work and are viewed with predjudice by most Kenyans.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: "Jerome," not his real name, is a queer parent who is a refugee from Uganda fleeing persection under harsh anti LGBT laws. He has found a way to support himself and his child by selling grilled chicken on the street in Nairobi. This is not that safe though, with Kenyan vendors resenting his success. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experieince greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness."

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2023: Trans women Olivia and Pretty are seen on the weekend in a local hotel swimming pool close to their safe house, this is one of the very few places where they can risk being themselves when no-one is watching. Olivia is sick and living in a refugee camp and Pretty plays an almost maternal role in their relationship. They are seen comforting each other in a rare moment of public spontaneity. This kind of display of affection would draw negative attention in almost all of Kenya and the police would likely be called. Both of these trans women have refugee status but the perception of homosexuality would almost certainly lead to arrest and extortion. Olivia is a trans woman who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda and has lived for the last three years in vulnerable conditions in Kakouma refugee camp in the north of Kenya. She is photographed in a safe house for trans women in Nairobi, where she is visiting Pretty. Olivia is in Nairobi because she is sick and cannot be treated for her condition in Kakouma. Pretty is a make-up artist and fellow refugee. Pretty has been waiting five years for her resettlement status from the UN agencies.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 1 October 2023: Scenes of fellowship at the Cosmopolitan Affirming Church at an undisclosed location in Nairobi. The identities of the church-goers are protected in this frame to protect the members from violent prejudice and discrimination. Kenya has become a hub for LGBT members who are fleeing violence in Uganda and other African nations. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 2 OCTOBER 2023: Cyara and Olivia, not their real names, are trans women who have fled harsh LGBT laws in Uganda and are now refugees awaiting asylum status in Kenya. They are seen at St Mary’s hospital in Nairobi donating blood for a sick friend in the hospital in need of a transfusion. Both Olivia and Cyara have experienced life-threatening prejudice and violence and would like to be resettled overseas in a more LGBT friendly country. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 2 OCTOBER 2023: SSeradda, Cyara and Olivia, not their real names, are trans women who have fled harsh LGBT laws in Uganda and are now refugees awaiting asylum status in Kenya. They are seen at St Mary’s hospital in Nairobi visiting Mama Makeba, another trans woman who became severely ill and had to be hospitalized. Mama Makeba was in two previous hospitals where she received inadequate care resulting in her being move to St Mary’s where she received treatment. Mama Makeba this delay in treatment in the other hospitals was due to both her refugee status and her LGBT status. All of the trans women in this image have experienced life-threatening prejudice and violence and would like to be resettled overseas in a more LGBT friendly country.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: "Dewey" and "Maggie" are Ugandan refugees who fled Uganda because Dewey is bisexual. Uganda has some of the harshest anti LGBT laws in the world and this has prompted an exodus of that community into Kenya. Maggie came from a stricter Muslim family but she chose to flee with Dewey and their kids because she loves him. They are hoping to be resettled in Canada. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experieince greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness."

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NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 2023: Queer mom "Allen" is seen with her son in the courtyard of a safe house in Nairobi. They have just arrived in Kenya after fleeing persecution under harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. Queer parents seeking resettlement often experience greater scrutiny from UNHCR and their own queer community, with suspicions cast on their "gayness." (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Olivia and Pretty are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed dressing up in a safe house in Nairobi where Pretty lives and Olivia is visting from Kakuma refugee camp. Today they will go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi and they always prepare extensively for these outings.

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 30SEPTEMBER 2023: Cyara, Pretty and Olivia are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed leaving a safe house for trans women in Nairobi to go to Church and then to a nightclub in Nairobi. They always prepare extensively for these outings but take care not to be seen publically until they are in a safe place. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 1 October 2023: Sseraadda, Cyara, Pretty and Olivia are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed arriving at the K1 Club in Nairobi where their presence is controversial but relatively safe. They prefer to use the back entrance to the club to attract less negative attention at the main gate. They always prepare extensively for these outings but take care not to be seen publically until they are in a safe place. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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NAIROBI, KENYA, 1 October 2023: Cyara, Pretty and Olivia are trans women who fled harsh anti LGBT laws in Uganda. They are photographed arriving at the back entrance for the K1 Club in Nairobi. They prefer to use the back entrance to attract less negative attention at the main gate. They always prepare extensively for these outings but take care not to be seen publically until they are in a safe place. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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