Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Associated Press covers Ugandan anti-gay bill; religious right amazingly silent

Earlier today, I talked about how CNN is talking about the anti-lgbt bill in Uganda that would criminalize homosexuality.

Now the Associated Press is hitting on the issue:

Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.

Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal.

"It's a question of visibility," said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay. "When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us."

The legislation has drawn global attention from activists across the spectrum of views on gay issues. The measure was proposed in Uganda following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.


More here.

Granted, the connection between the bill and the anti-lgbt activists who gave tacit support to the bill (i.e. Scott Lively and company) isn't covered, but this is a start. A good start.

While the bill may pass, still attention needs to be devoted to it, as well as the people behind it.

And I have noticed something else. While the religious right are playing their annual "War on Christmas" nonsense as well as playing the martyr (via the Manhattan Declaration) while attacking marriage equality, I have yet to hear any of them comment on this bill.

Not Focus on the Family

Not the American Family Association, especially via the phony news site One News Now.

Not Peter LaBarbera

Not Matt Barber or the rest of the Liberty Counsel.

Not any of them.

All of it goes to show that when accessing just who are moral or righteous, sometimes the silence says more than the words.

Related posts:

US Christian Leaders oppose Uganda’s “Kill Gays” Bill

Full coverage on Uganda’s “Kill Gays” legislation - Since February, the webpage Box Turtle Bulletin has covering the situation in Uganda, including the conditions leading up to the bill. It should be commended for its excellent coverage.



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6 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Just discovered this blog; its bookmarked- Thank You!

From my reading, I get the impression that two "Christian" groups are deeply involved in the Ugandan outrage: The Family, and the group that has the seven mountain concepts. (I can't keep all those groups straight). Both of these groups have staff on the ground in Uganda. They are exporting their hatred to Africa. So unfortunately it isn't amazing that the religious right are silent. It greatly saddens me.

Mykelb said...

What amazes me is that Rick Warren and his minions are all over this like bugs on a windshield in terms of their complicitness and he was the one who gave the invocation at Obama's inauguration. Why hasn't Obama renounced this man and his group's overt hatred toward the LBGTs of the world? I will tell you why, he doesn't believe we really do deserve equal rights as his actions speak louder than his words.

Bolgsy said...

Check out the stoush on this issue at

http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/only_two_kids

Some pretty ghastly stuff being said - just shows how frightening some of the god squad are.

BlackTsunami said...

Unfortunately, Bolgsy, some people will justify anything.

Mykelb, while I am not happy with some of the things Obama has done regarding our community I think it is farfetched to make that assumption.

But in the long run, it really doesn't matter. The fight for lgbt equality is one that existed before Obama and it will continue after whenever he leaves office. We shouldnt have any grand illusions about what he can or will do. Remember it took open violence to get Kennedy and then Johnson to move regarding black civil rights. I do not want it to get to that point here. The fight for equality is ours and we must not shy away from or be ashamed of using the Obama Administration to propel ourselves forward rather than waiting on it to do for us.

Mykelb said...

BlackTsunami: I have pretty much given up on Americans. They are boors of the worst kind. 50% have IQs below 100, 30% have no education making 80% of the population either stupid or ignorant. I have no illusions that gay rights will ever be granted in the U.S. which is why I married in Canada and will move there once I retire.

BlackTsunami said...

Never give up hope, mykelb ;p