HOCODI – Uganda

Holistic Community Development Initiative Uganda (HOCODI-UG) is a nonprofit Community Based Organization that was established in 2011 with a goal of advocating for rights of marginalized categories of people including members of LGBTQI , youths, persons living with disabilities and persons living with albinism.

The mission of Holistic Community Development Initiative Uganda is to dialogue with Church leaders and government so that respect , compassion, justice and sensitivity for every LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers become the hallmarks of community , Diocese and parishes.

We gather monthly to pray, support one another, share life experience and look solutions together to our problems. We want to part of a Church that loving and respectful of all , particularly those marginalized by our society.

HOCODI is duly registered and activities include:

1. psychosocial support to members of LGBTQ community
2. Creation of moments of LGBTQ fellowship and support
3. Creation of safe spaces for LGBTQ community
4. Increase awareness to combat homofobia

ETHOS and VALUES:

1. Inspired by the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ and Ecumenical Orthodox – Catholic Church social justice tradition, we respect the intrinsic human dignity and equal value of all God’s children ( people ) , regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship status, or sexual characteristics. We envision an Orthodox – Catholic Church where all people can live, work, worship and minister with one another harmoniously and contribute to the health and wellbeing of everyone.
2. Our faith as HOCODI-UG members calls us to challenge all forms of discrimination in all structures and to advance the equality of LGBTQ+ persons . Civil and Church law must value their human rights and freedoms, not diminish or deny them. Any law or Church practice that oppresses , restricts , punishes or harms members of LGBTQ+ is contrary to the Gospel.
3. We affirm the spiritual gifts and lived experiences that LGBTQ+ persons bring to the people of God. We value open, sincere and respectful dialogue based on the encounter with individual persons and communities in the spirit of reconciliation.
4. We affirm the goodness and holiness of sexuality as a gift from God to help us become closer to our beloved , to the divine and to ourselves. We recognize that sexuality touches the most valuable parts of our identity and needs to be expressed in ways that are generously loving and compassionate.
5. HOCODI-UG represents diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions and backgrounds. HOCODI-UG members are united by a shared Christian faith which calls us to pray, and work to ensure that LGBTQ+ persons and their friends and families have full and participative membership in all areas of our Church.
6. As members of HOCODI-UG we stand in solidarity and prayer with one another through our varied experiences , struggles and opportunities. In that same spirit , we commit ourselves to Ecumenical cooperation and interfaith dialogue on LGBTQ+ issues.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

1. Prophecy and Justice: We acknowledge , support and lift up the voices of LGBTQ+ people and all who are marginalized including persons living with albinism, women, youths, orphaned and vulnerable children , persons living with disabilities, sexual minorities, in our church and society. We advocate for those who suffer from violence , persecution, prejudice and criminalization because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We foster a culture of equal rights , inclusion and acceptance. We promote the equality of women in our organization.
2. Dialogue: We work to connect LGBTQ+ Orthodox – Catholics and other faiths with one another with wider churches. We promote dialogue with church leaders and lay people to facilitate pastoral practices , theological reflection and doctrinal development.
3. Inclusion: We respect the different cultural experiences that LGBTQ+ people meet across the global especially Uganda where homophobia is at its peak. We aim for fair representation of peoples from all regions of Uganda and cultures in church , society and in our own organization. We develop a culture of inclusivity and understanding in our organization. Among our members we support collaboration, developing resources and sharing ideas and best practices.
4. Spirituality and Faith Development: We share our spiritualities , sensibilities and Faith with one another, with other LGBTQ+ people and the whole Church. We strive to educate the EOCC leadership, institutions and audiences about the spiritual gifts that LGBTQ+ people bring to the church. We encourage the church to love, support and welcome pastoral activities that respect the diversity of LGBTQ+ spiritualities and reach out to LGBTQ+ people who feel alienated from the church.