For some years now, Uganda has been held up (and with good reason), as a prime example of African homophobia, based on a proposed law that would have permitted the death penalty for gay sex. Slowly though, that extreme threat has shrunk. First, the original bill was withdrawn, and replaced with another which removed the death penalty, but applied instead lengthy terms of imprisonment. That law was passed by parliament – but in stunning news, the President has refused to sign it.
Catholics should note that in this instance, for once, the Catholic Church has intervened against discrimination, as New Ways recently reported in a blog post at Bondings 2.0.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni blocks anti-gay law
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has refused to approve a controversial bill to toughen punishments for homosexuals.
He has written to the parliamentary speaker criticising her for passing it in December without a quorum.
It’s not all good news: in explaining his action, the president spouted the nonsense, widely discredited by both the medical establishment and the Catholic Church, that homosexuals are “sick” – but this is Uganda, and this is still a long way from the death penalty, which was previously demanded.
Homosexuals were “abnormal” or were so for “mercenary reasons” and could be “rescued”, a local paper quotes his letter as saying.
The bill provides for life imprisonment for homosexual acts and also makes it a crime not to report gay people.
The promotion of homosexuality – even talking about it without condemning the lifestyle – would also be punishable by a prison term.
The BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga in the capital, Kampala, says the president is aware that if he signs the bill there will be an international outcry, which could see some countries suspend aid to the country.
Continue reading the main story at BBC News
Related articles
- Papal Nuncio Responds to American’s Concern About Uganda’s Anti-Gay Bill (Bondings 2.0/New Ways)
- Pope Francis’ Peace Message Demands Our Action for LGBT Human Rights (Bondings 2.0/New Ways)
- An Appeal from New Ways Ministry: Write Pope Francis and Ask Him to Stand with LGBTI People in Uganda (bilgrimage.blogspot.com)
- Giles Fraser speaks about homophobia and religion (thinkinganglicans.org.uk)
- In India, and Indiana: Bishops’ More Supportive Tone on Gay Issues. (queeringthechurch.com)
