Homosexuality punishable by death.

[leo-rcc]

This is an email sent out to Amnesty International sponsors.

Amnesty International USA

A proposed bill storming through Uganda's parliament is one of the most severe pieces of
anti-homosexuality legislation in the entire world! If passed, it would establish an alarming precedent
that would virtually annihilate the human rights of Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) population.

Stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill!
Dear Leo,

In October 2009, Parliamentarian David Bahati introduced draconian legislation in Uganda that
would make "any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex" punishable by prison or
even death. The bill even takes aim at those offering protection or support to any lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) person by instituting harsh prison sentences of up to 7 years.

If the Ugandan Parliament chooses to endorse this hateful legislation, it would be responsible for
depriving countless Ugandans of their human rights as well as placing LGBT people throughout the world
at significantly greater risk.

The vote on this bill could happen as soon as the end of this month, so we've got to act fast.

Fortunately, momentum to fight Uganda's egregious bill has already started building in Washington.
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is spearheading a joint Congressional letter that will be sent to
Uganda's President urging him to put an end to this discrimination. We need all U.S. Representatives to
unite in opposition to codify persecution and discrimination in Uganda.

Urge your Representative to sign-on to stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

We fear that the negative consequences sparked from the passage of such irresponsible legislation will
not stop at Uganda's borders, but will reverberate throughout the rest of Africa and even the world.

Make your voice heard and stand up for human rights in Uganda! Tell your Representative to condemn the
proposed legislation that would deal a blow to human rights in Uganda and across the world.

In Solidarity,
Michael O'Reilly
Director, Individuals at Risk Campaign

So I started looking into this, and sure enough, that bill is about to pass. I also came across this article:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/30/warren-uganda/

So the Pastor with the best link to the White House won’t condemn the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

On Meet the Press yesterday, Warren reiterated, “As a pastor, my job is to encourage, to support. I never take sides.” He has, however, said that abortion is a “holocaust” and pushed for the passage of California’s Prop. 8.

Here is also an article from the Guardian on this bill:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov...ce-gay-sex

I think it is dangerous and ridiculous that a bill like this even gets on the agenda, let alone stand a chance of passing.

It is dangerous because this bill criminalizes anyone, who does not report a gay person within 24 hours. This is going to dissuade gay people from seeking treatment, seeking help, seeking testing, because they know that ultimately when you do that you're going to end up outing yourself, and the next thing you know, that could land you in jail. Again without proper medical treatment.

I've contacted Amnesty Nederland about this as their website is not mentioning any action on the topic (though they are doing several other admirable projects). If I hear something from them I will let you know in this topic.

[lukec]

Scary stuff, good find Leo.

Apparently this has been brought up here in Canada and denounced but a quick search tells me little more. So I guess I have to give Stephen Harper a call? I'm glad to report John Baird, speaking for the Prime Minister, said this:

“The current legislation before Parliament in Uganda is vile, it’s abhorrent, it’s offensive. It offends Canadian values. It offends decency Mr. Speaker. We strongly condemn that and the Prime Minister will make that strong condemnation as well.”

It's appalling that this kind of legislation is even proposed.

[Pippy]

Harper's busy sucking up to Israel and selling what little is left of our Canadian Identity, he won't field your call.

[Eilonnwy]

Rachel Maddow has been following this story closely, and more importantly high-lighting the connections between this bill and Americans involved through the family, a Christian organization. It's appalling.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/...idding_Me/

[theblindferrengi]

Considering the already unstable political regime of Uganda, I am not surprised they would come up with something like this.

[Meatball]

I've been casually following this through Rachel Maddow's great coverage.

Really appalling stuff.