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| Museveni |
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday signed a bill into law that imposes a life sentence upon anyone found guilty of repeated same-sex sexual acts.
Ofwondo Opondo, a spokesperson for the Ugandan government, said on Twitter that Museveni signed the so-called Anti-Homosexuality Bill at his official residence in Entebbe. Opondo noted the Ugandan president was in an “upbeat mood.”
Museveni signed the controversial measure less than a week after he rebuked President Obama’s criticism of him over the issue.
. . .Opondo noted on Twitter that Arizona lawmakers last week approved a bill that would allow businesses to deny services to gays and lesbians based on their religious beliefs.
“What is [President] Obama saying to Arizona state law just passed to deny gays services on religious grounds,” said Opondo.
. . . Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, a Ugandan LGBT advocacy group, blasted Museveni.
“President Museveni’s scientific inquiry is a smokescreen for what is truly going on: political homophobia at its worst,” Mugisha told the Washington Blade. “Last month the President said he would not sign this fascist bill. But now, it seems he has sold us out for the votes of his party. It is politics – plain and simple – all at the expense of LGBTI Ugandans.”
President Obama has already harshly condemned the possibility of the bill becoming law. Now that it is, the ball is now in his court as to what is to be done.
But one more thing to consider. Museveni signed the bill five years to the day that many of us began to learn about the bill and arch homophobe Scott Lively's trip to Uganda, which caused this legislation to be passed. We learned about this thanks to an excellent article via the blog Box Turtle Bulletin.
Speaking of Lively, on Friday, he and another anti-gay leader Peter LaBarbera announced the launching of a new international group which would encourage other countries to pass anti-gay laws.
In Arizona lawmakers passed a law which would allow businesses to refuse services on the grounds of "religious liberty" - a law expressly written targeting lgbts - and is awaiting Governor Jan Brewer's signature.
This law is being considered in several other states.
It's safe to say that the opponent of lgbt equality seem to be casting off the veneer of morality and are slowly but surely declaring open season on the lgbt community.
However, unlike forest animals caught in the middle of an open season, the lgbt community have the power and means to fight back. And we will (in a peaceful but definitive manner).
And we don't intend to lose.
Desmond Tutu has called AZ SB1062 a law comparable to Nazi Era Nuremberg Laws. As far as I am concerned, the Republican Party are now fascists and deserve the name NAZI.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of what we can do that is not threatening and might help bring change, even if on a small scale to start. You have spoken about how Scott Lively helped bring this law into effects, and how homosexuality is treated like an western import, but every call to action is in some way intended to punish Africa. I don't like the idea of money going to people who are out to kill my kind, but these are bullies and bullies hurt their victims worse when they are punished. What I propose is to take responsibility for what we have done. Instead of attacking them for attacking us, write to them and apologize for allowing homophobia to be imported to Africa. They already see us (IE westerners) as evil, if we play into that by showing what evil we actually have done, and come at it with contrition then perhaps some will listen. We can't make them believe anything, but we may be able to make some think.
ReplyDeleteSorry in all that I missed the most important part. There is a news group http://www.observer.ug/ I was led to elsewhere. I have been told people can put their own posts up on it for people in Uganda to see.
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