We see you, we hear you, and we stand with our fellow queer and trans family in Ethiopia. We know the grave danger we face in loving who we love and being who we are. The homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and discrimination we endure is heartbreaking.

Even though we can’t be fully open, we refuse to stay silent. LGBTQ+ people in Ethiopia and worldwide are still targets of violence and stigma. Those unjust laws violating our rights? We’ll never stop fighting them.

We resist together as a tight-knit community of queer and trans people. We see your courage, admire your resilience, and are in awe of your commitment to supporting one another.

Given the homophobia and transphobia, we can’t openly demand change now. But we can build the change we wish to see. Let us keep creating spaces of safety and solidarity – especially on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Let’s share resources, offer support, and amplify each other’s stories.

Our queer and trans community’s commitment to equality, freedom and justice is unbreakable. We all deserve to live freely and authentically. So let us keep fighting, together. The world may try to break us, but our love and resilience will always be stronger.