House of Guramayle | a safe space for the Ethiopian LGBTIQ+ community

Response to backlash over US gay tour plan

Press  |  04.06.19

Our Co-Founder Bahiru Shewaye was quoted by the BBC in a story about the backlash over a tour to Ethiopia organised by Toto Tours, a US-based international gay tour company, which was subsequently cancelled.

He explained that homophobia had deep roots in the country, leading to most gay Ethiopians not revealing their sexuality “for fear of physical harm and ostracism”.

He highlighted how the row over Toto Tours had “triggered a social-media storm, with many Ethiopians expressing outrage at the prospect of gay tourists visiting the country – and even calling for attacks against them and their straight allies.”

Read the full article here

Image caption: Lalibela, Ethiopia, where Toto Tours planned to visit
Image credit: Trevor Cole

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