Brutal Attack on Ugandan Transgender Activist Beyonce Karungi

Though our mission is to pursue and protect the rights of LGBT people and people living with HIV nationwide, Lambda Legal is routinely asked to consult with groups around the globe. Over the past couple of years, Lambda Legal attorneys and education staff have met with groups of LGBT and HIV activists visiting from Australia, China, Kyrgystan and Uganda—to name a few. We are always glad to share insights and stories, and to hear from our global siblings working for rights and respect.

Today, on the verge of the international Transgender Day of Remembrance/Resilience, and with a roster of events we have planned, we are horrified to learn of the brutal attack on Beyonce Karungi, a transgender woman who leads activism in Uganda and visited our headquarters in 2013 with her colleagues. We understand that as we inform you of the attack, reportedly by a group of five men who pursued Beyonce after she’d gone into hiding due to threats, Beyonce awaits further care for injuries to her head, hands and back due to being beaten and stomped. 

For Lambda Legal and our allies everywhere, the work before us is daunting but must be redoubled.