June 13-15, 2014 - LGBTI Solidarity in Africa Weekend

Below is a schedule of events currently under development for LGBTI Africa Solidarity Weekend in Chicago - June 13-15, 2014.

Please promote these events and email jtscarry@yahoo.com to find our how your organization can provide additional support.

UPDATE JUNE 12 - On Wednesday, June 11, John Adewoye and Victor Awekewere featured on Jerome McDonnell's Worldview program on WBEZ: Gay Nigerians fight for rights against anti-gay law. They introduced the issues and gave a preview of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday events.

Friday, June 13

AFTERNOON EVENT:

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Symposium: Theological Resources for LGBTI Liberation
Broadway United Methodist Church - 3338 N Broadway St, Chicago

Judith Kotzé and Ingrid Schoonraad from Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM) South Africa will join in conversation and reflection on the theological resources for the work of LGBTI liberation in Africa. We will consider the intersections of North American liberation theology and South African post-apartheid theology, as they inspire, encourage, and challenge the work of solidarity and liberation for LGBTI people. Join us for the conversation!

UPDATE JUNE 14 -About 30 people participated in Friday afternoon's liberation theology discussion. There was moving testimony from numerous participants, including several people from Nigeria now living in Chicago. (Photo at right: John Adewoye. Photo courtesy Pastor Lois McCullen Parr, Broadway United Methodist.)

EVENING EVENT:

6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. GLN-TV on LGBTI Solidarity in Africa
Chicago Access Network TV - cable channel 21 in Chicago

Rev Judith Kotzé joins the Gay Liberation Network's Brent Holman-Gomez to discuss issues of LGBTI solidarity in Africa, and preview the Saturday and Sunday events in Chicago (see below).


Saturday, June 14

AFTERNOON EVENT:

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Chicago Forum on LGBTI Solidarity in Africa 2014
Episcopal Church Center - 65 E. Huron, Chicago

Connect with the current situation of LGBTI people in African and discover ways to provide advocacy, support, and accompaniment.

Africans from Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM) South Africa and CLASP (Chicago LGBT Asylum Support Program) will lead us. Breakout roundtables will allow everyone to get involved in efforts for US Policy, worldwide/church advocacy, pathways to safe haven, and Chicago re-settlement. Come participate in making a better day for all of us as Chicago connects with Africa!

UPDATE JUNE 15 -About 50 people participated in Saturday's event. There was moving testimony from numerous participants, including several people from Nigeria now living in Chicago. (READ FULL EVENT DESCRIPTION.) (Photo courtesy Andy Thayer.)

EVENING EVENT:

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. -- FUNDRAISER: Reception and Film screening: Call Me Kuchu

Suggested donation: $25.  Donations benefit Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) in South Africa and CLASP (Chicago LGBT Asylum Support Program .

Wine and cheese reception at 5:00 p.m., followed by 6:00 screening of the film, Call Me Kuchu:

David Kato, Uganda’s first openly gay man, is one of the few who dare to publicly protest state-sanctioned homophobia. Working with an idiosyncratic clan of fellow activists, David fights Uganda’s government and tabloids in the courts, on television, and at the United Nations. Because, he insists, “if we keep on hiding, they will say we’re not here.” With unprecedented access, CALL ME KUCHU depicts the last year in the life of a courageous, quick-witted and steadfast man whose wisdom and achievements were not fully recognized until after his death, and whose memory has inspired a new generation of human rights advocates. (More at callmekuchu.com )

There will be time for audience discussion following the film.

Special thanks to Truth Wins Out for providing for the costs of this event.

DONATIONS STILL BEING ACCEPTED - click here to help support this important work.


Sunday, June 15

MORNING EVENT:

 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Worship Service of Solidarity and Welcome for LGBTI Activists from Africa
St. Luke's Lutheran Church Logan Square - 2649 N. Francisco, Chicago

(l to r) John Adewoye, Ingrid Schoonraad, Rev. Erik Christensen,
Rev. Judith Kotzé, Joe Scarry (Photo courtesy Robert Castillo.)

AFTERNOON EVENT:

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Introducing: the Global Interfaith Network for People of all Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions (GIN-SSOGIE)
St. Luke's Lutheran Church Logan Square - 2649 N. Francisco, Chicago

UPDATE JUNE 15 -We had a fabulous introduction to GIN-SSOGIE this afternoon. Read the full description of the Global Interfaith Network for People of all Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions (GIN-SSOGIE).