Ugandan gay activist slain after photo published

[woodshere]

Just wanted to share....


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110127/ap_on_re_af/af_uganda_gay_activist_slain


not sure is it should be here or in the Activism thread?

[carousel]

There are plans for a vigil here in London outside the Ugandan High Commission tomorrow at 11am, the time of David Kato's funeral.

Sad news.

[Miss Philicia]

Ah, didn't see this earlier.  Yes I just read this on the news.

[anniebc]

I just read this news article this morning, I still can't believe people from the Gay community are literally being hunting down and killed, it's way beyond barbaric.

I remember reading somewhere about a man called Richard Cohn and his relationship with conservative Christians in Uganda, the ones who are behind the effort to pass a bill that includes a death penalty for "serial offender" homosexuals.

Can someone please explain to me what a "Serial offender" homosexual is?..is it OK to have sex with one man but not two?, if you stay with one man for the rest of your life then your life will be spared?..it's just all too ridiculous.

Aroha
Jan

[woodshere]

I know just enough about the circumstances in Uganda to get me in trouble.  What I do know it's a dangerous time to be gay in that country.  The bill does have backing from religious whack organizations here in the US and somehow some elected officials are involved in those organizations and attended a conference in Uganda.  Rachael Maddow had the sponsor of the bill on her show several weeks/months ago.

[leatherman]

Can someone please explain to me what a "Serial offender" homosexual is?

from the May 14, 2010 blog "denkross' life in Uganda" discussing the bill
http://denkrosslifeinuganda.blogspot.com/2010/05/are-gays-more-powerful-than-ugandan.html

Under the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the crime of “serial offender” is punishable by execution. A serial offender is a person who has “previous convictions” for “homosexuality or related offences.”

In other words, if a Ugandan has previous convictions for offences in the Bill and then has a subsequent conviction he or she will be classified as a serial offender and face execution.

“Related offences” in the Bill that can result in a death sentence for serial offenders include non-sexual acts such as: aiding and abetting homosexuality, advocating same-sex relationships or LGBT rights, having a same-sex marriage, publicising or funding pro-LGBT organisations, using the internet or a mobile phone for the purpose of homosexuality or its promotion, being a person in authority who fails to report an offender to the police within 24 hours.

what troubles me a lot about this situation (besides the whole "death to gays" meme ) comes from reading the comments in this blog and many other blogs from Uganda and other African countries. The locals are quite condemning of homosexuality. In many instances while they will condemn the death penalty portion of this bill, they are all for incarceration and other punishments for the "evil" "sinful" "crime" of just being gay, not even for any "act" of homosexuality.

Rachael Maddow had the sponsor of the bill on her show several weeks/months ago.

R Maddow has done numerous segments throughout last year detailing this proposed Ugandan law, along with "The Family", and the "C Street House" which is an apt bldg in Washington with ties to religious leaders and US Congressmen - the very same who spoke with Ugandan authorities and influenced the writing of this bill in question

There is an excellent book by Jeff Sharlet entitled "The Family" about this American organization, and the wiki entry for "the family" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fellowship_(Christian_organization)) details much of the information discussed on Rachel's show

[anniebc]

Under the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the crime of “serial offender” is punishable by execution. A serial offender is a person who has “previous convictions” for “homosexuality or related offences.”

In other words, if a Ugandan has previous convictions for offences in the Bill and then has a subsequent conviction he or she will be classified as a serial offender and face execution.

“Related offences” in the Bill that can result in a death sentence for serial offenders include non-sexual acts such as: aiding and abetting homosexuality, advocating same-sex relationships or LGBT rights, having a same-sex marriage, publicising or funding pro-LGBT organisations, using the internet or a mobile phone for the purpose of homosexuality or its promotion, being a person in authority who fails to report an offender to the police within 24 hours

I find the whole thing totally unbelievable..it's so sickening that one human being can treat another so badly.

Aroha
Jan

[Miss Philicia]

A gay man was killed in Jamaica just last month, you just don't hear about because it happens a lot.  Jamaica is known as the most homophobic/anti-gay violent place on the planet, or it was five years ago.

[leatherman]

I was just watching Rachel's show, and she announced a special segment of her show tomorrow night  (2/28/11) reporting on the Ugandan situation and this murdered activist.

[thunter34]

A gay man was killed in Jamaica just last month, you just don't hear about because it happens a lot.  Jamaica is known as the most homophobic/anti-gay violent place on the planet, or it was five years ago.

I know.  I always think of that immediately every time I see one of those ads with all the Bob Marley "one love" crap playing in the background.

[emeraldize]

circulated via e-mail today...

Dear SMU staffs and all LGBTIQ human right supporters across the world.
 
We the steering committee members Rainbow- Ethiopia LGBT/MSM sexual health & rights initiative condemn with deep sadness the Brutal Murder David Kato. He was a great and courageous LGBTI human right activist in Africa.
 
We the LGBTIQ advocating groups in Africa with the support of our international supporters has to continue tirelessly for our human rights to make Africa a just and humane continent for all regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity .
 
Our sincere condolences go out to his family, his friends and the entire Staff of Sexual Minority Uganda and all those people whose lives were touched positively through his efforts. David Kato, we will truly miss you brother and friend.
 
Rest in Peace comrade.
 
Sincerely,
Dereje Teferi
Rainbow- Ethiopia LGBT/MSM sexual health & rights initiative
Executive director
E-mail:msm.ethiopia@activist.com
Web site: www.esma2007.webs.com
 

[OneTampa]

It is awful what happened to Mr. Kato. It just turns your stomach.