For our WorldPride 2025 Global Gatherings, Aggie Dennett Harmon, Uganda's first open trangender pastor joins host Wyatt O'Brien Evans in this intimate conversation as they explore the intersections of faith, trans visibility, storytelling, and liberation.
They talk about how queer and trans people especially in places like Uganda are reclaiming spirituality as a tool of resistance and healing.
Aggie also discusses her new book “Echos of Grace” and the many challenges faced under the Homosexuality Act of 2023 and the end of USAID in Uganda and throughout Africa, directly affecting the survival of untold numbers of people.
Listen to this Deep Dive Discussion on Aggie’s “Sacred Resistance”
"Sacred Resistance: Faith, Stories, Liberation" (Excerpts)
Key Themes and Ideas:
Resilience and Resistance:
A central theme is the unwavering resilience and resistance demonstrated by Aggie Dennett Harmon and the broader Ugandan trans and queer community in the face of immense adversity, violence, and systemic oppression. Harmon's own journey is presented as a testament to this, highlighting her refusal to give up despite significant challenges.Reclaiming Faith and Spirituality:
Harmon's ministry and her book, Echoes of Grace, emphasize the importance of reclaiming faith and spirituality as tools for healing, resilience, and resistance for trans and queer individuals. She challenges traditional interpretations of religious texts that condemn LGBTQ+ identities, arguing that God knows and loves people as they are.The Power of Storytelling:
The interview underscores the transformative power of sharing silenced stories. Echoes of Grace is explicitly presented as an "archive of many sacred stories" intended to make visible the experiences of rural trans and queer women who have endured rejection, violence, and exile. Harmon believes these stories can change perspectives and foster empathy.Intersectionality of Identity and Oppression:
The discussion highlights the complex intersections of being transgender, queer, and a person of faith, particularly within the context of a country like Uganda where these identities are often seen as contradictory. The source also touches on the specific vulnerabilities faced by rural trans and queer women.
Impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023:
A significant portion of the interview is dedicated to discussing the devastating impact of Uganda's anti-homosexuality law. Harmon details how the law has not only criminalized identities but also encouraged violence, forced people into hiding, restricted access to healthcare, and effectively denied LGBTQ+ individuals basic rights like housing.
Most Important Ideas and Facts:
Aggie Dennit Harmon's Identity and Role:
Aggie Dennit Harmon is Uganda's first openly transgender woman pastor. Her mission is explicitly stated as: "Whether behind a pulpit or microphone my mission is clear to uplift sacred stories reclaim faith and radiate grace in the face of adversity."Echoes of Grace: The Sacred Lives of Rural Trans and Queer Women:
Harmon's forthcoming book is not just a book but a "game changer" and a "living archive" of the stories of rural trans and queer women who have experienced rejection, violence, and exile. The book aims to amplify silenced voices and change the narrative around trans and queer identities within the context of faith.Personal Experiences of Adversity:
Harmon shares deeply personal experiences of having to leave her parents' home at a young age, experiencing denial and battling internal struggles related to her identity, and being a victim of rape. These experiences directly inspired the writing of Echoes of Grace.Challenging Religious Narratives:
Harmon directly confronts the misuse of religious texts to condemn LGBTQ+ individuals. She argues that God knew her before she was born and does not make mistakes, asserting that being trans and being a Christian are not mutually exclusive. She aims to change the narrative that LGBTQ+ people do not belong in faith communities.Impact of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act:
The law is described as one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Africa.
Its consequences include:Encouraging violence.
Forcing people into hiding.
Cutting off access to healthcare (e.g., providing condoms or lubricants is seen as promoting homosexuality).
Making it difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to find housing or purchase necessities.
Silencing the entire community.
Vulnerability of Rural Trans and Queer Women:
While the law affects all LGBTQ+ individuals, Harmon highlights the particular vulnerability of trans and queer women in rural areas who may lack access to community support, organizations, or resources like mental health services. She aims to bring awareness and support directly to them.HIV Advocacy and Challenges:
Harmon discusses the increasing HIV rate among LGBTQ+ citizens in Uganda, exacerbated by the anti-homosexuality law's impact on access to healthcare. She also highlights the desperate circumstances that lead some members of the community to sex work for financial stability, increasing their risk of exposure to HIV. Furthermore, she points out the alarming rise in the price of HIV drugs, making medication less accessible.Goals for Echoes of Grace:
Harmon hopes the book will touch hearts, move people, and potentially change the perspectives of even those who are homophobic. She wants it to be a message of hope and visibility for those hiding, showing them they are seen, valued, loved, and worthy.Fundraiser for the Book: A fundraiser is underway to raise 7,500 US dollars to support the Echoes of Grace project, covering graphic work, editing, and compensating contributors for sharing their stories.
Owning Scars and Stories: Drawing a parallel to Christ rising with scars, Harmon emphasizes that scars are living testimonies and foundations for future success. She encourages owning one's story and allowing scars to be a reason to keep striving.
Quotes:
Aggie Dennett Harmon:
"Whether behind a pulpit or microphone my mission is clear to uplift sacred stories reclaim faith and radiate grace in the face of adversity.""Echoes of Grace one is not just a book project... it is being a game changer... it is a living a living... of many stories... of women who have endured rejection like I like I have... violence and exile."
"To be happy you have to embrace who you are you never find happiness in a partner." (Quote from her "trans mother," Mama Annet).
On the anti-homosexuality law:
"One is the law... when the law was just passed it didn't just criminalize identities our identities it just it encouraged violence... it has cut it has cut off access to health care basically... it has silenced the entire community."On religious condemnation:
"basically growing up... I've been told that would not belong because according to the Bible God destroyed the city of Sodom and Gomorrah which is entirely wrong..."On God's acceptance:
"God does not make mistakes in the Bible to what I've read god knew me before me before I was even born he knew that AI would exist the way I am so God does not make any mistakes so I have to live to it i have to spread the word and and you know change the narrative..."On the inspiration for Echoes of Grace:
"Echoes began in my own silence and of so many other rural and rural trans and queer women that have been harassed women that have been... misunderstood to completely ignored..."On her message to those hiding:
"I hope to tell that little girl somewhere of hiding that is that is that little girl that little girl but the boy that is hiding or that is not living authentically that you can be who you are i see you we are here we have gone through a lot but we are still living does not mean that life ends life still moves we are human beings..."On scars:
"we are resilient we are meant to be... despite our scars are our found our scars... these scars make us who we are they are living testimonies to who we are to why we exist."
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