Opinions
A Tale of Two Pilgrimages
Francis and Farrakhan go to Washington

From left, Louis Farrakhan and Pope Francis (Photo of Farrakhan public domain; photo of Francis by Jeffrey Bruno, courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Autumn is a lovely time to visit the nation’s capital. Here I look at contrasting visits by two prominent faith leaders.
10.10.15 Justice or Else Gathering. Minister Louis Farrakhan has long been a figure of controversy. Of the Nation of Islam (NOI), which he leads, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) writes, “Its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, anti-Semitic and anti-gay rhetoric of its leaders have earned the NOI a prominent position in the ranks of organized hate.”
Farrakhan’s old provocations, however, are absent from the promotion for his October 10 gathering on the National Mall to mark the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March. The 1995 event was a peaceful call to unity and self-improvement whose proposed actions included harnessing black economic power and registering voters.
The 20th anniversary event invites men and women regardless of race or creed to demand racial justice from the federal government. The proposed action this time is withdrawal of black money from what it calls the commercialism and exploitation of the Christmas season. It also calls for an end to fratricidal violence within the black community.
The event’s website (justiceorelse.com) includes the directive “No Guns – No Alcohol – No Drugs.” Its text and videos carry a constructive message. Granted, when I hear “Justice or else,” I immediately ask, “Or else what?” The threat, however, involves economic action, not competition with gun-toting white supremacist groups like the Oath Keepers. My differences with NOI aside, its 10.10.15 gathering promises to be another peaceful public engagement. Unless you demand docility (in which case you should wake up), I see nothing to fault.
Pope Francis and gays. Turning from Islam to Catholicism, the bumpy aftermath of the Pope’s American visit appears to have resolved itself into a clearer message of welcome to LGBT people, though without any hint of doctrinal change. During his visit, Francis toned down the culture-war rhetoric. One positive gesture was having openly gay Mo Rocca do a scriptural reading during the Mass at Madison Square Garden. Less so was the sole gay speaker at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Ron Belgau, who embraces celibacy in acceptance of the Catholic Church teaching that gay lovemaking is a sin. Mr. Belgau can suit himself, but demanding lifelong denial of intimacy is a prescription for misery.
On his flight back to Rome, Francis defended “conscientious objection,” which some interpreted as endorsing the refusal by Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis to issue marriage licenses that went against her faith. Mat Staver, the Liberty Counsel attorney for Ms. Davis, then claimed that Davis had met the Pope in Washington. The Vatican confirmed this, but said she was but one of several dozen people who were given a blessing and a rosary. The only real papal audience in Washington was with the Pope’s gay former student Yayo Grassi and his family, which included his 19-year partner Iwan Bagus. A video shows Francis warmly embracing both men and kissing them on their cheeks.
The papal nuncio who invited Ms. Davis, Archbishop Carlo Maria ViganĆ², appears to be in hot water for marring the visit with a politically charged invitation that was inflated in importance by Staver.
No sooner had the flap over Davis begun to quiet down when Monsignor Krzystof Charamsa, an official with the Vatican’s doctrinal office, came out as gay and criticized the Roman Church’s homophobia on the eve of its Synod on the Family. Charamsa was quickly fired. This was a reminder that expressions of pastoral care erase neither the Church’s love of control nor its condemnation of gay folk. Indeed, notorious homophobe Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council was invited last November to a Roman gathering called the “International Interreligious Colloquium on the Complementarity of Man and Woman.” The notion of complementarity derives from Plato, except that Plato was gay-inclusive.
Francis, at the U.S. Capitol, asked people to pray for him, and urged those who could not pray to send him their best wishes. In that spirit, and despite our disagreements and my continued skepticism, I send him and Minister Farrakhan my sincere hope that their efforts will advance justice. Prayers avail nothing without action.
Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and activist. He can be reached at [email protected].
Copyright Ā© 2015 by Richard J. Rosendall. All rights reserved.
Commentary
Trumpās return threatens Ugandaās gender equality and trans community
US has played pivotal role in supporting LGBTQ rights around the world

The last few weeks have seen a dramatic shift in the global landscape ever since Donald Trump returned to the presidency of the United States in January 2025. In just his first few weeks in office, he has rolled out a flurry of executive orders that radically reshape trans rights ā most recently banning trans women and girls from participating in womenās sports at federally funded schools. This move, a focal point of his 2024 campaign, accompanies another sweeping directive redefining sex as strictly male or female at birth, effectively denying the legal reality of transgender and nonbinary identities.
This represents a stark departure from recent U.S. policy, which had recognized gender identity as a protected category under federal law, following the Supreme Courtās landmark ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020). Rolling back those precedents and restricting transgender peopleās rights across education, housing, healthcare, federal employment, and more, means that the new administration has signaled that it is willing to reverse hard-fought civil rights gains in the name of ārestoring biological truth.ā
Historically, the United States has played a pivotal role in supporting LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. Over the past decades, U.S. foreign policy, funding initiatives, and diplomatic interventions have often helped protect marginalized groups abroad from violence, discrimination, and stigma. Ugandan civil society organizations, especially those advocating for LGBTQ+ communities, have relied on U.S. backing ā both in principle and in practice ā by receiving grants, legal support, or endorsements from U.S. diplomatic missions. This assistance has been critical in a country where key population communities, particularly transgender individuals, face rampant societal backlash. Moreover, the recent passage of Ugandaās Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) has entrenched an increasingly restrictive and repressive legal framework, fueling widespread societal stigma and discrimination that has intensified at home and is echoed in other parts of the continent.
In Uganda, ātransgenderā itself is not legally recognized; most identity documents still list only male or female, without mechanisms to update the markers for those who have transitioned or identify outside binary classifications. This makes everyday life a constant struggle, with people facing suspicion or ridicule whenever their physical appearance doesnāt match the gender on their ID.
For transgender Ugandans, accessing healthcare is fraught with challenges. While recent years have seen small pockets of progress ā such as a Key Populations desk led by the Ministry of Health and the Uganda AIDS Commission in partnership with various development agencies, as well as a few clinics offering trans-friendly services and modest recognition of transgender-specific needs ā these efforts remain precarious and at risk of faltering.
One reason is the chilling effect that new U.S. executive orders may have on international donor funding. If federal agencies are mandated to halt the āpromotionā or āsupportā of what the Trump administration terms āgender ideology,ā projects focusing on transgender health, counseling, or HIV prevention may find themselves unable to secure necessary funds.
Following a sudden directive from PEPFAR, all implementing partners must suspend their activities for 90 days while determining how to proceed under the new executive orders. This abrupt halt severely disrupts Tranz Network Uganda (TNU)ās community-led HIV prevention and treatment programs ā funded for essential interventions such as PrEP, ART initiation, HIV testing, health education, and the distribution of condoms and lubricants in trans community hotspots. As a direct result, 52 trans persons on ART now face treatment interruptions, two hundred will lose access to critical prevention kits and lubricants, and health talks planned for one hundred community members are on hold. Beyond these immediate setbacks, the directive endangers broader HIV response gains and disproportionately impacts a population already at high risk and facing systematic marginalization.
For a population that already struggles to access basic care, any interruption or shortfall in medical supplies or specialized training will have dire consequences. Ugandaās trans community also depends on the moral and political support once offered by international partners. If the U.S. signals it no longer treats trans rights as human rights, local leaders who are already hostile to trans people could become more emboldened to adopt harsher measures. That could mean further restrictions on transgender-friendly healthcare, more aggressive policing, and the closure of community centers.
The precarious situation is compounded by existing human rights violations targeting sexual and gender minorities such as the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Transgender Ugandans often face physical violence, arbitrary arrests, and public outing, leading to loss of jobs, denial of housing, and ostracization from families.
In the past, when local advocates or victims have sought help from foreign embassies or humanitarian agencies, they often turned to offices backed by U.S. funding or support. Now, in the wake of Trumpās orders, a tense atmosphere has arisen ā again. Civil society groups are questioning whether they should tailor their programs more conservatively to avoid losing grants. Community leaders warn that a chain reaction could follow: When the U.S. steps away from acknowledging gender identity, local officials who are unsympathetic to transgender individuals see a green light to intensify crackdown efforts.
We must urge the U.S. government to reconsider these orders. At stake are the lives and well-being of people whose dignity and identity are summarily dismissed by a return to rigid definitions of sex and gender. Failing to uphold transgender rights and cutting off resources to supportive programs can worsen Ugandaās strained public health system ā particularly for those seeking HIV and mental health services.Ā
The United States should revisit its role as a leader in upholding the principles of equality and nondiscrimination, principles that once were hallmarks of its global engagement. Local communities and advocacy groups also need continued support and engagement from both governmental and non-governmental U.S. entities, which can influence policy through targeted funding, diplomacy, and public statements affirming that trans rights are human rights.
Moving forward, the administration in Washington should consider preserving or at least carving out exemptions for essential health, legal, and community-building services. If fully reversing these executive orders is politically difficult, then agencies should consult with experts, activists, and members of the transgender community themselves to mitigate harm and ensure that humanitarian needs are not overshadowed by ideological directives.
Uganda is also party to various regional and international human rights treaties that obligate it to uphold non-discrimination. In August 2023, the Ministry of Health released a press statement mandating that health services be accessible to all without discrimination ā a pledge that stands in stark contrast to the current environment following the passage of the AHA. Government officials would do well to honor these commitments by reassuring the local transgender population that essential healthcare remains accessible, and by addressing the urgent need for legal identity mechanisms. Ultimately, dismantling the fragile network of trans-focused support not only imperils those on the margins but also undermines global progress toward fundamental human rights, equality, and compassion ā values that should know no borders.
Williams Apako is the executive officer of the Tranz Network Uganda and a board member of the Global Fundās Uganda Country Coordinating Mechanism.
Opinions
Iām nervous about D.C.ās ability to stage WorldPride
Capital Prideās reluctance to share information raises concerns

Are you excited about WorldPride DC? Really? Then you must know more ā or much less ā than I do.
As displayed on the WorldPride DC website, festivities begin a little more than three months from now. Click on the “Events” tab and that page lists multiple events, with several of them including information such as the venue and/or a vague synopsis of what will happen.
Who will perform? There is Shakira, whose current world tour was originally going to bring her to D.C. last November, but that was cancelled and her new date is now designated as the Welcome Ceremony for WorldPride DC. I commend her for being an ally to the LGBTQ community, but I’m curious what modifications will be made to her tour set list and if any LGBTQ people will be on stage. Who else will perform during the (recently moved up to) May 17 to June 8 dates? Capital Pride Alliance announced a call for performers on Jan 13.
To be clear, that announcement was made on Jan. 13 of THIS year, slightly four months ahead of festivities beginning. I share that with astonishment. I state everything above and below with varying degrees of annoyance, consternation, frustration, and alarm.
Back in 2021, CPA was eagerly competing to win its bid to host WorldPride 2025. All of the excitement led to the announcement, in November 2021, that it was going to Taiwan. However, in August 2022, it was announced that Taiwan and WorldPride consciously uncoupled, and, in November 2022, it was announced that the proposal of jilted runner-up D.C. had been accepted.
Even with my low expectations, I did not think that timeline would lead to a purportedly international event happening in less than 20 weeks having merely one announced performer, events with TBA venues, and little happening that wouldn’t be unusual for a typical annual Capital Pride celebration.
Perhaps I don’t know enough. Maybe this rollout is typical for festivals and other major events. What is the appropriate comparison? Is it Coachella or Comic-Con? Or is it Carnival or the Olympics? Maybe they are on track with what New York or Sydney did in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Maybe they are waiting, for some reason, to make announcements that may come too late to entice people to attend and participate in WorldPride DC.
Or perhaps I know too much. I know who isn’t booked for WorldPride DC. I know what things could have happened. I know what I’ve heard in meetings and conversations, including Capital Prideās reluctance to share substantial information or bring in outside experts. I know countless bits of miscellaneous information that cause me trepidation. I have had contact with numerous people, including performers, leaders of organizations, and subcommittee members, and not once has anyone said anything that assuaged my concerns.
Unlike the opening of D.C.’s new LGBTQ community center, WorldPride DC won’t be delayed and is definitely happening this year. What we don’t know is what exactly is happening.
Presumably, Capital Pride had plans when the bid was made in 2021. But maybe they didn’t start planning until the announcement in ’22. Or perhaps they waited until some time in March 2023, after recovering from traveling to Australia for WorldPride.
When did bookings begin? Perhaps they started with A-list stars and are still working their way through the latter part of the alphabet. Who is likely not available are the activists in other countries who, in addition to planning for travel and lodging, have to contend with passports, visas, and other bureaucratic concerns. Not everyone has the luxury to be spontaneous.
In my former role as Creative Director of Team Rayceen Productions, I was willing to be of service. TRP was ready to partner. We had ideas, but since Capital Pride didn’t express interest, I assumed they had big plans.
Perhaps you know just enough: the infrequency of announcements; the lack of information; the late call for performers; the truncated Capital Pride Heroes nomination process.
Ultimately, the fact that you know so little may be all you need to know.
ZarĀ is theĀ monomynous founder and former Creative Director of Team Rayceen Productions.Ā ZarĀ led TRP for more than 10 years and has lived in the Capital region all of his life.Ā The impetus for his recent resignation and the indefinite hiatus of TRP is the new presidential administration.

We are seeing the hand of Elon Musk, yes, the same Musk who gives the Nazi salute, and tells the Germans to move on and forget about their Nazi past, in every area of our government. He claims to be proud of sleeping in the office President Felon has given him as part of his DOGE work, in the Eisenhower Federal Office Building, and is interfering in every agency, apparently at will. We were told a top Treasury official left the agency after Musk demanded access to the Social Security payment system. He and his lackeys, not government employees, now have access to that, and the entire Treasury Departmentās payment system. Guess the Trump coup is nearly complete.
It is said Musk is behind all the confusing memos to federal employees about resigning, and taking private sector jobs. He is interfering in the FAA and now it is reported that he is behind telling FAA employees to retire. President Felon is not just silently going along with all this, he is enabling it. He is doing his own damage by threatening to fire any FBI employee who was involved, in any way, in the cases against him, or his friends. He is clearly creating havoc. His Secretary of Defense just removed NBC, NPR, New York Times, and Politico from offices ā replacing them with Breitbart and One America News.
Trump took the occasion of the horrific plane crash over the Potomac, in which 67 perished, to make political hay and blame Obama, Biden, and DEI policies at the FAA. Trump slapped tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, and says those countries will pay. He lies! He says everyone will accept higher grocery, oil, and automobile, prices. Calling Trump a moron is polite, he is actually an evil SOB with no respect for the truth.
He is targeting the transgender community in every area of their lives. From receiving appropriate healthcare, to trying to kick them out of the military, where they have served as patriots, with honor, defending our country. He is making them the focal point of his efforts to hurt the LGBTQ community because they are the easy target. If we donāt stand up for them, and stand with them, as members of the LGBTQ community, then we are next. Let us not be fooled by his naming a few gay and lesbian people to his administration. Let us not be fooled because he has the support of the clearly self-loathing Log Cabin Republicans, who support him for their jobs. Why is his gay Treasury Secretary not speaking up for the transgender community? Why is his lesbian spokesperson at the Department of State, not speaking up? We know itās because they want their jobs, and that is likely the nicest thing I can say about their silence.
Then we have what we once called the free press. Why was it only Kaitlin Collins of CNN who questioned Trump on his outrageous remarks at the press conference after the crash over the Potomac? And where was the free press when Karoline Leavitt, his press secretary, used the terms transgenderism and woke, at her first press conference? Why didnāt they ask her what the term āwokeā means to the Trump administration, what it means to President Felon, and acting President Musk? Why is the press not camped out at the door of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, asking them what they think of the Nazi sympathies of their fatherās best friend Musk. Asking them if they vaccinated their children, and do they suggest other parents do the same?
Do I sound angry? You bet I am. I am watching all this insanity as an openly gay, Jewish, man. I wrote in my recently published memoir, and actually thought, when I came out at the age ofĀ 34 in 1981, that it would all get easier for future generations. Now we are back to a time when young people could again be afraid to come out, because those they thought would speak out for them, are silent. Was I lying to them? We are again reminded of all those signs, SILENCE = DEATH, that were at the early LGBTQ marches. It is still true. The silence of so many who I know, who donāt like what is happening, is deafening. Is the Trevor Project slogan, āIt Gets Better,ā a lie?Ā
We can still overcome. We must all speak out and not go quietly into the night. If we speak out, defend ourselves, our neighbors, our families, we will save our democracy.
Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist.
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