Navigating the Pink Line? LGBTQ+ Ugandans as neither ‘victims’ nor ‘deviants’

With the introduction of the Anti-Homosexual Act (2023) in Uganda, LGBTQ+ Ugandans have faced significant socio-historical challenges in terms of shifting legal landscapes and the accompanying prejudice and discrimination which have emerged from this. Constructed as both ‘deviants’ of native Ugandan culture, or as ‘victims’ of a homophobic regime. Whilst a clear ‘pink line’ (Gevisser, 2020) has formed internally and externally to the Ugandan state, which has been impacted by a range of actors and social forces such as US evangelicals, the Ugandan state, the globalising of LGBTQ+ international rights and international actors, LGBTQ+ Ugandans have often been polarised and framed into the two narratives outlined above. However, whilst some post-colonial states such as Uganda are beginning to strategically renew their beliefs in ‘traditional’ sexual relations in opposition to the influence of LGBTQ+ identity politics as posited from the West, this has drawn a (pink) line in the sand. Using Gevisser’s (2020) concept of the ‘pink line,’ this article will examine the changing socio, political, and legal challenges faced by LGBTQ+ Ugandans, as well as the variety of forces which have enabled the Ugandan state to seek stringent legal responses toward LGBTQ+ Ugandans, including how this has affected LGBTQ+ Ugandans on the ground. We argue that due to this global polarisation of ‘traditional’ Ugandan values versus the modernity of LGBTQ+ identity politics, LGBTQ+ Ugandans have been framed as either helpless victims in a homophobic society by global responses to the introduction of the Act, or as deviants living within a traditional society which pose a threat to Ugandan social norms. Contrary to both perspectives, LGBTQ+ Ugandans have been present and active in their own agency to push for change for LGBTQ+ populations in Uganda, despite the introduction of the darkening climate set against the Anti-Homosexuality Act (2023)

Connections in a Liminal Space

This reflective paper is both a partial response to Dr. Julie Rattray’s opening keynote presentation, Travels in a Liminal Space: The Need for Guardians and Guides in SoTL, at the 2023 symposium, and an account of my journey to connection and revitalization through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). After burning out mid-career, I found myself struggling with my identity, not only as an academic but also outside of work. I was at a crossroads heading into the last decade or so of my career. In this reflection, I will explore SoTL identity, threshold concepts, and liminal spaces from my perspective as an instructor and educational developer in the college and polytechnic sector

AFN Journal Club Winter-Spring Reviews

This article summarizes the reviews of recent research completed by the AFN Journal Club. Articles are critiqued for quality and level of evidence

The Forensic Nurse\u27s Response to Military Sexual Trauma Among LGBTQ Survivors

Military sexual trauma (MST) is prevalent among U.S. armed services members despite efforts to combat it (Castro et al., 2015; Crosbie & Sass, 2017; Moyer, 2021). Reasons for the continued perpetuation of sexual assault in the U.S. armed services are multifaceted and embedded in the military culture. Passive acceptance of sexual violence and lingering effects of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy in the U.S. military are examples of areas where crucial reforms are still needed despite concerted efforts within the military and by the U.S. Congress to address MST (Congressional Research Service, 2021). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, and other (LGBTQAI+) individuals may experience human violence at disproportionately higher rates ranging from verbal harassment and stalking to physical assault and sexual battery (Beckman, 2018; Blosnich, 2022; Moyer; Schuyler et al., 2020). This integrative literature review explores best practices among forensic nurses (FNs) who engage in the care of sexual violence survivors, especially military personnel who identify as LGBTQAI+. Findings from a literature search through the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PubMed databases for peer-reviewed articles from psychology, public health, medicine, nursing, and social science are discussed to inform FNs about the most effective strategies for responding therapeutically to MST survivors in the LGBTQIA+ community. We discuss understanding reasons MST survivors might not make a report to authorities, as well as providing empathetic, trauma-informed care, and screening survivors to link them with appropriate resources so they can begin a journey of healing

The Evolution of DNA and its Impact on Sexual Assault Case Prosecution

The evolution of DNA technology has revolutionized forensic science and the identification of violent offenders. For decades, recidivist offenders terrorized communities across the globe with little chance of ever being identified. The discovery of PCR testing, STR DNA profiling, and the creation of the CODIS system have changed the forensic and law enforcement landscapes, making offender identification across state lines possible. In 2018, FGG burst onto the scene, creating a new tool in the forensic toolbox to help identify unknown DNA profiles and solve cases that would otherwise be unsolved. It has helped to take violent offenders off the street and provided justice to victims and their families across the globe. While there are still limitations to its use and ethical considerations to be considered, the use of FGG continues to be pivotal in the investigation and prosecution of violent offenders

The good guest : Reconceptualising creative writing with women in prison as an alternative way of knowing through relational ethics as epistemic justice

Prison research is a fraught endeavour. More so when this research involves the use of “oft-maligned” creative research methods such as women’s prison writing viewed as knowledge situated in lived experience. Stories reflect the prevalent hegemonic patterns found in cultural, economic and political contexts in any given society. They compete for acceptance and dominance. In this paper, I critically reflect on prison research, and the dual challenge presented to engage with the traditions that have shaped the persistence of cultural sanctioning of certain forms of knowledge over others. This challenge pivots on critical engagement with creative and academic writing, whilst at the same time having to write within the system that is part of the tradition. It necessitates wider engagement with the ethicality of prison research, moving beyond external procedural ethical validation to consider the researcher’s ethical standpoint in working towards relational ethics and epistemic justice for women’s prison writing as alternative ways of knowing

Leading the Future of Forensic Nursing: FNCB Unveils New Executive Committee 2025

An update to the FNCB executive is announced

Then and Now: Thirty Years Through the Eyes of Patients Who Have Experienced Rape

The number of sexual assault nurse examiner programs have grown dramatically over the last 30 years. There are some processes and approaches that have changed very little over the years. However, there are others that didn\u27t even exist that long ago and have made significant advances in the care of patients that have been raped.

Recommendations for Selection Areas for the Collection of Sexual Assault Evidence from the Oral Cavity

In this study, female to male oral sex occurred between seven participating couples to determine an efficient collection method for male cellular material located in the oral cavity. One cotton and one nylon swab were simultaneously used to swab two areas of the oral cavity at one, six, twelve, and twenty-four hours post-fellatio respectively.  These areas included the lips (utilizing moist and dry swabs) and the inside of the mouth with volunteers receiving specific instructions on how to swab.   YSTR profiling was performed on each swab with the subsequent profiles compared to the reference profile of the male.  Full YSTR profiles (defined as profiles with at least 22 of 23 alleles matching the male) were obtained in 81% of swabs collected at the one-hour time interval, 67% of swabs at the six-hour time interval, 62% of swabs at the twelve-hour time interval, and 53% of swabs at the twenty four-hour time interval.  A higher percentage of full profiles were obtained with lip swabs.  No observable difference in the ability to obtain YSTR profiles was found between the use of cotton and nylon swabs. The study yielded DNA success rates typically higher than other similar published studies which typically rely on laboratory data from sexual assault evidence.  Recommendations from the study include swabbing both the lips and inside of the mouth of victims of oral sexual assault in a manner described in the study at a time frame up to at least 24 hours post-incident

Front Matter

Table of contents and editor\u27s introduction