Steven Muleme, a Ugandan visual artist and LGBTQ+ activist, is transforming resilience into a global call for human rights. As the founder and Executive Director of Visual Echoes for Human Rights Advocacy (VEHRA), Steven’s work echoes far beyond the borders of Uganda. From drawing, painting, batik, mosaics, collage, weaving, and basketry, his artistry tells stories of hope, survival, and dignity.
A Global Advisory Council Representative of InterPride for the African Region, Steven brings the experiences of African LGBTQ+ communities to the international stage. His plays, which have been read at the Lincoln Center in New York City (2022–2024), shine a light on resilience and survival, while his recent recognition as a PEN AMERICA Immigrant Writer Award recipient (2024) amplifies his voice.
Steven’s vision is rooted in the belief that
“every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming person in every country deserves all human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with safety, dignity, and peace as fundamental guarantees.”
Through art, advocacy, and unwavering courage, Steven Muleme continues to inspire a world where equality and justice are not ideals but lived realities.