HRC on Uganda




Dear
Daniel,

In October, a bill was introduced in Uganda's parliament that would make homosexual sex – already a crime there – punishable by life in prison, and punish HIV-positive people who have homosexual sex, as well as "serial offenders," with death. Since then, LGBT Ugandans have been subjected to something no human being should ever have to deal with: living with the knowledge that for them, their whole nation could very soon become Death Row.

Around the world, we wondered how this could happen, and where such violent hate could come from. The answer that slowly trickled out was chilling: here. Proponents of the gay death penalty in Uganda repeatedly cited the radical right's political and religious leaders who peddle so-called ex-gay therapies in this country as proof that gay people can change and are therefore responsible for their orientation. No, the ex-gay charlatans do not advocate the death penalty, but our world is worse off because of the lies that they are spreading. And when murderous people use their work as the foundation for one of the most horrific legislative proposals in recent history they need to take notice and take responsibility.

Yesterday, Ugandan officials announced that the anti-homosexuality law would no longer authorize executions and life imprisonment, and that the government would instead direct the so-called offenders to "ex-gay" programs. Although we are relieved that approximately 500,000 Ugandans seem to be out of the risk of death, this proposal still aims to terrorize LGBT Ugandans and their families and must be defeated.


We must not only exert pressure upon foreign governments to reject violence and discrimination, we must continue to educate here at home.

Fondly,

joe_solmonese_signature_150

Joe Solmonese
President, Human Rights Campaign

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