The Harrowing Ordeal of Yonas

A Glimpse into Ethiopia's LGBTQ Struggle

Introduction:

In a distressing display of intolerance, Yonas, a 21-year-old gay non-binary individual, tragically finds themselves caught in the web of a vicious anti-LGBTQ campaign unfolding in Ethiopia. This report aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding Yonas's plight, exploring the events that led to their harrowing experience and forced relocation to Kenya.

Yonas's story serves as a testimony to the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Ethiopia, shedding light on the darkness and cruelty surrounding their struggles. This narrative reflects not only Yonas's personal ordeal but also symbolizes the collective suffering endured by countless members of the Ethiopian LGBTQ community.

victim:Yonas

Background:

Yonas's ordeal unfolded around June 2023 when he became the target of a hateful campaign following the leak of a video from an LGBTQ-friendly event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia called "Yimechish." The video, initially shared on TikTok and mainstream social media, showed Yonas wearing a pink trouser and dancing with another young man.

A man dancing with another man, and the association of the pink attire with femininity in Ethiopian culture led to immediate condemnation, particularly from religious groups. Prominent anti-LGBTQ leaders, especially those with religious affiliations, begun spreading news and exposing several LGBTQ members at this event.

As the video started circulating, Yonas ended up caught in the whirlwind of societal criticism. The significance attached to the pink clothing stirred up biases, painting him as an outcast to those who believed his actions went against the grain of societal expectations. The combination of technology and ingrained cultural prejudices created a climate of anxiety, casting a shadow over Yonas's previously colorful life.

As the hurtful video started spreading, Yonas found himself caught in a nightmarish online world filled with constant shame, bullying, and condemnation. This cruelty didn't just stay online; it seeped into every part of his life. Some religious groups seized the opportunity to fuel hatred, using the incident as a reason to promote violence against the entire LGBTQ community in Ethiopia.

Yonas, already feeling vulnerable and exposed, found himself at the center of an escalating nightmare. The online hatred took a chilling turn when he started receiving explicit death threats, making his already difficult reality even more grim. With each threat, the gravity of his situation intensified, plunging Yonas into a profound abyss of fear, despair, and isolation. This marked a tragic chapter in his life, echoing the broader challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Ethiopia, as the convergence of cyber torment and real-world menace took its toll.

The anti-LGBTQ Ethiopian campaign logo

The role of Anti-LGBTQ Ethiopians in Diaspora:

Yonas faced even more danger because of the Ethiopian diaspora, and it wasn't just limited to Ethiopia. The powerful Ethiopian diaspora, mainly residing in the USA and Europe, played a big part in spreading hate and making violent threats against the LGBTQ Ethiopian community. They were sneaky about it, using language that wouldn't get them in trouble with local laws against hate speech. Unfortunately, their influence worked, and their call to hunt down Yonas and other LGBTQ members was successful.

Religious Leaders seek the death penality

In a disturbing exploitation of the situation, religious leaders seized the opportunity to disseminate false and hateful narratives about the LGBTQ community in Ethiopia. Fabricated stories, aimed at inflaming public sentiment, included attempts to associate homosexuality with heinous crimes, particularly child rape. This reprehensible tactic sought to manipulate public perception and intensify prejudice against the LGBTQ community.

Notably, the influential Protestant Christian pastor, Eyu Chufa, openly advocated for extreme measures, going beyond mere condemnation. Shockingly, he called for the torture and death of LGBTQ individuals, contributing to the dangerous atmosphere of hostility

Dereje Negash Zewoyniye, another prominent religious leader and a vocal anti-LGBTQ campaigner, went a step further by explicitly stating that all homosexuals are child molesters. He advocated for the inclusion of homosexuality as a non-pardonable offense or one punishable by death in Ethiopia's criminal code. This perpetuated harmful stereotypes but also intensified the urgency within the anti-LGBTQ movement.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Religion Council of Ethiopia urged government officials and parliamentary representatives to take drastic measures against homosexuality. They called for the government to resist Western influence on the matter and to take a strong stance against what they considered a moral issue.

In the aftermath, Yonas became the unwilling face of a fervent anti-LGBTQ movement that gained disturbing traction in Ethiopia. The nation, stirred by the dissemination of a video capturing an LGBTQ-friendly event, witnessed a harrowing escalation of intolerance. Yonas, once a private individual, found himself thrust into the harsh limelight as the poster child for perceived moral transgressions.

The aftermath was intense, extending beyond the digital world. There were disturbing calls for Yonas's death reverberating throughout the nation, highlighting the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQ sentiments. The movement gained enough traction to push the government into contemplating severe actions, even considering the death penalty for homosexuality. Yonas, unwittingly caught in the middle of it all, became a poignant example of the dire consequences of a movement fueled by intolerance, posing a threat to the very principles of human rights and acceptance.

Fleeing Ethiopia;

Yonas endured a harrowing ordeal, compelled to live in hiding, radically altering his identity, and confined to the shadows to evade the relentless pursuit that labeled him the country's most wanted criminal. His predicament escalated to the extent that he found himself placed on the national "no-fly" list, cutting off any escape routes within and outside the country.

As things took a turn for the worse, Yonas turned to the solidarity of underground LGBTQ community groups in Ethiopia and abroad. With their help, he bravely embarked on a risky journey, crossing the Kenyan border illegally in search of safety.

Yet, even in his pursuit of freedom, Yonas encountered more challenges. Yonas fell prey to human traffickers, enduring over 10 days of captivity as they sought ransom. Held captive in a sweltering warehouse with temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degrees, his plight underscored the harsh realities of his situation.

Driven by the fear for his life, Yonas sought refuge in Kenya. Despite his attempts to stay hidden, the looming presence of the Ethiopian diaspora in Kenya and the prevailing homophobic culture in the region continue to expose him to potential danger. Struggling in isolation, Yonas has not received any mental health support, with persistent nightmares and trauma haunting his nights.

At just 21 years old, he finds himself unable to experience the carefree joys of youth, robbed of laughter, play, and the freedoms that should accompany his age.

What does the future holds?:

Yonas's case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in regions where acceptance is limited, and prejudice runs deep. His story sheds light on the urgent need for global advocacy to protect the rights and safety of individuals like Yonas, who, due to circumstances beyond their control, are forced to live in fear and concealment. The international community must work collectively to address the root causes of such persecution and provide sanctuary for those seeking refuge from anti-LGBTQ sentiments.

Disclaimer:

This article was written with the consent of Yonas himself, and its sole purpose is to tell his story and perhaps shed light on the struggles of LGBTQ Ethiopians. Others who have gone through situations similar to Yonas have their own stories to tell, each with their unique perspective. This report does not claim to represent the experiences of all LGBTQ Ethiopians.