According to Box Turtle Bulletin, it's not exactly cool in Rwanda:
BTB has just learned that the Rwandan Parliament is scheduled to take up consideration of a change to Rwanda’s penal code which would criminalize homosexuality with a punishment of five to ten years. It would also ban counselling and advocacy that could be interpreted as “encouraging or sensitizing” people to enter into same-sex relationships.
The problematic section in the penal code is article 217 which states that:
Any person who practices, encourages or sensitizes people of the same sex, to sexual relation or any sexual practice, shall be liable for a term of imprisonment ranging from five (5) to ten (10) years and fine ranging from Two Hundred thousand Rwanda Francs (200.000 RwF) to one million (1,000,000)Rwanda francs.”
The fines range from US$350 to US$1750. The average annual income is just US$370.
One key phrase of the proposed penal code, “encourages or sensitizes,” would have the effect of criminalizing advocacy on behalf of LGBT people. It would also severely impact the ability to deliver health services to LGBT people.
The Horizon Community Association of Rwanda (HOCA) and the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) have denounced the bill (PDF: 56KB/3 pages), saying that Rwandan citizens still experience gross violations of human rights. “Our country and our people refuse to recognize the fact that we exist,” said Naomi Ruzindana, President of HOCA.
We need to start thinking of lgbt equality as more of a global issue. Whether or not we get full rights and privileges that we deserve in this country, let's not forget about our lgbt brothers and sisters catching hell around the world.
Yes, it must be a ¨Global Issue¨ the focus on Africa by Theocratic Zealots has been long in the paying/making...even China opened a ¨test¨ Gay Bar (no doubt will pick up much of the $$slack when the project is expanded)...smart Chineese, the same ones that pay big $$ to Uganda (and promise to stay out of their National affairs)...funny, the Anglican Church of Uganda (huge and vicious toward LGBT citizens) refuses donations from The Episcopal Church of The United States because Bishop V.Gene Robinson (partnered Gay) was consecrated BUT gladly rakes in the money from China who OPENLY OPENS GAY BARS! Go figure, it´s ALL about money and the Anglican Church of Uganda is disgusting/deadly and corrupted by religious folks who are grandstanding (worse).
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