A transgender fashion designer from Rwanda, Moses Turahirwa, has been detained on allegations of forgery after claiming that their passport had been changed to reflect their gender. Turahirwa was taken into custody after sharing a picture of the passport, which showed their gender as female, on Instagram. The designer identifies as they/she on social media and has counted President Paul Kagame among their clients.
Rwanda is among the few African countries that have signed the 2011 United Nations joint statement that condemns violence against LGBTQ people. Despite this, the LGBTQ community still faces abuse and stigma in the country.
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Who is Moses Turahirwa?
Moses Turahirwa is a transgender fashion designer from Rwanda. They are the former CEO and founder of the bespoke Kigali fashion house, Moshions. Turahirwa has designed clothes for prominent clients, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his family. They have faced controversy in the past, including an outcry over the release of nude photographs on social media accounts, and heavy criticism after the leak of a video allegedly showing them having sex with two men. Turahirwa was recently detained on allegations of forgery after claiming that their passport had been changed to reflect their gender.
What happened to Moses Turahirwa?
Turahirwa, also the founder of the bespoke Kigali fashion house Moshions, resigned as CEO of the company in November last year after nude photographs were released on their social media accounts, sparking public outrage. In January this year, the designer faced criticism in Rwanda after the leak of a video allegedly showing them having sex with two men.
Is homosexuality illegal in Rwanda?
Homosexuality is not illegal in Rwanda, unlike in neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi. However, the LGBTQ community still faces discrimination in the country. In addition to the forgery allegations, Turahirwa has also been accused of drug abuse after tests confirmed that they had illegally used cannabis. Investigations are ongoing, and the designer is being held in detention while the matter is being resolved.
How East Africa reacted to the LGBTQ agenda from the West
In general, East African countries have been hostile towards the LGBTQ community. Homosexuality is illegal in countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to death. In other countries like Kenya and Rwanda, same-sex relations are not explicitly criminalized, but LGBTQ individuals still face discrimination and stigma. Despite international efforts to protect LGBTQ rights, including the signing of the 2011 United Nations joint statement condemning violence against LGBTQ people, progress in this region has been slow, and the community continues to face significant challenges.
