HONORING IN MEMORY -- DAVID KATO: ¨Bishop Senyonjo spoke of David Kato as a selfless leader who served the gay community in Uganda to challenge discrimination and stigma for homosexuals.¨

The ¨fear meant to be instilled in the Ungandan Homosexual community after the death of David Kato (pictured above) is broken by God¨

¨Gay rights activists in Uganda on Thursday paid tribute to murdered gay rights defender, David Kato, one year after his murder.More than 100 activists, human rights defenders and allies to Uganda’s gay community remembered David Kato as a distinguished campaign for equality at a memorial service in held in Kampala.

His killer, Nsubuga Sydney, was sentenced to 30 years in jail on his own plea of guilty when charged with killing Kato.

Retired Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, the head of the St. Paul Reconciliation and Equality Centre (SPREC) and US based pastor, Joseph Tolton said the mass.

Kato’s mother, sisters and family members attended the function.

Known to the Ugandan LGBTI community as Nnalongo (mother of twins) Kato’s mother said she was thankful for the love extended to her in the last one year since her son’s death.

She said often Kato’s friends had shown her “love, care and compassion” whenever she had been depressed thinking of her son, and that this generosity of spirit had kept her going.

Bishop Senyonjo spoke of David Kato as a selfless leader who served the gay community in Uganda to challenge discrimination and stigma for homosexuals. “I respect you all homosexuals. And my message is a message of love as God’s children,” Bishop Senyonjo said during the sermon.

Pastor Tolton said he stood by the US Episcopalian Church’s inclusion of gay ministers in the church. He said, “The fear that was meant to be instilled in the Ugandan homosexual community after Kato’s death had been broken by God.”

Bishop Senyonjo said that Kato lives on, and that although he had been killed to instil fear among the Ugandan gay community, homosexuals had prevailed.

One after the other, friends of David Kato spoke of him as a leader saying he had leadership qualities worth emulating, while others prayed for his soul to rest in peace...¨  please read it all, HERE

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the day David Kato, a gay activist in Uganda, was beaten to death in his neighborhood with a hammer after his photo appeared in a local paper under the headline "Hang Them."

¨sexual preferences are a private matter¨ President Thabo Mbeki

¨The former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, has risen to the defense of homosexuals in Uganda, saying the proposed Antihomosexuality Bill (now languishing in Uganda's Parliament) is irrelevant.¨

“I would say to the MP [David Bahati, mover of the bill]; sexual preferences are a private matter,” said Mbeki. “I don’t think it is a matter for the state to intervene.” Mbeki said he was certain that Bahati would disagree with his stand and argue that African culture does not permit same sex relations, a reason at the heart of the continent’s wide spread antipathy towards homosexuals.... HERE

·  Thanks to Black Looks, HERE
·  Thanks to LGBT Asylum News, sidebar
·  Thanks to The Rt. Rev. Christopher Ssenyonjo, Anglican Bishop, Uganda
·  Thanks to The Reverend Joseph Tolton
·  Thanks to Thabo Mbeki, Former President of South Africa
·  Thanks to Episcopal Cafe

WORKING TOWARD FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN UGANDA: ¨Sexual Minorities Uganda¨ awarded 2011 Rafto Prize (Español and English)

The 2011 Rafto Prize is awarded to Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). Frank Mugisha (32), Executive Director of SMUG, will receive the award on behalf of the organisation. The Prize is awarded to SMUG for its work to make fundamental human rights apply to everyone, and to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

¨The human rights situation in Uganda in general, and the plight of sexual minorities in particular, is getting worse. They are blamed for social problems and are "the good enemy" that politicians can attack in order to garner support. In this situation, SMUG's work is especially important. The battle they wage is for human rights' most basic purpose: to protect individuals from abuses by the authorities and the majority. The Rafto Foundation hereby gives its support to the work against what former SMUG leader Victor Juliet Mukasa, characterized as a "state-sponsored homophobia that is spreading across the African continent".

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)

SMUG is a coalition of organisations that work for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI people, or sexual minorities, which is the term used by SMUG). Since its inception in 2004, SMUG has become a powerful voice for a stigmatised and persecuted minority. The coalition has played an important role in opposing the proposed "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" and has successfully used the legal system to fight harassment and violence from government and private actors. SMUG also does important work supporting individuals who suffer from abuse.

Sexual minorities - "pollutants of society"

Frank Mugisha and his colleagues in SMUG have demonstrated great courage in fronting the fight for LGBTI people's rights. People who do not conform to society's gender and sexual norms are subject to abuse in today's Uganda. Homosexuality is publicly portrayed as "un-African" and a "contagious" pollutant that destroys society and therefore must be eliminated. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons are often ostracised by their families and local communities and are left without any form of social safety net. Many lose their jobs and place at school and end up having to live in the slum.

SMUG activist killed

Frank Mugisha describes a life in fear: "I don't know what could happen to me at any minute. I do not know who wants to hang me, I do not know who wants to attack me".

A high-profile SMUG activist, David Kato, was killed in his home in January 2011. The killing came after his photo appeared on the front page of a local newspaper, Rolling Stone, accompanied by the headline: "Uganda's top 100 homos. Hang them!". Kato and two other activists took the newspaper to court and won. Soon after, he was killed...¨ please read it all, HERE

·  Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin, sidebar
·  Thanks to Frank Mugisha, SMUG, Uganda
·  Thanks to The 2011 Rafto Prize, HERE

Anglican LGBT Activist, David Kato, R.I.P.

EL PREMIO RAFTO 2011 SE OTORGA A MINORÍAS
SEXUALES UGANDA (MSUG) Y SU LÍDER FRANK MUGISHA VALIENTES LUCHADORES POR LA DIGNIDAD HUMANA

El Premio Rafto 2011 se le otorga a Minorías Sexuales Uganda (MSUG). Frank
Mugisha (32), director ejecutivo de la organización, recibirá el premio en su
nombre. El premio se otorga a MSUG por su trabajo para que los derechos
humanos básicos rijan para todas las personas, sin discriminación por motivos de
orientación sexual e identidad de género.

La situación de Derechos Humanos en Uganda en general, y las dificultades de las
minorías sexuales en particular, están empeorando. A estas minorías se les culpa
de ser la causa de los problemas sociales, ellas son el “buen enemigo” que los
políticos pueden atacar cuando necesitan ganar apoyo público. En este contexto, el
trabajo de MSUG es muy significativo, la batalla que libran es por el propósito más
básico de los derechos humanos: proteger las personas de abusos por parte de las
autoridades y las mayorías. Por ello, la Fundación Rafto quiere apoyar el trabajo de
oposición contra lo que Victor Juliet Mukasa, anterior líder de MSUG, ha
denominado “homofobia patrocinada por el Estado que se está propagando por el
continente africano”.

Este texto es un extracto del documento “argumentos de la fundación Rafto para otorgar el premio.” Paraver la versión completa de los argumentos de la fundación, ver el compilado de publicaciones de prensa, o nuestra página web: www.rafto.no

MSUG es una coalición de organizaciones que trabaja por los derechos humanos de lesbianas,
gays, transgeneristas, bisexuales e intersexuales (colectivo LGTBI, o minorías sexuales, que es el
término que usa MSUG). Desde su creación en 2004 MSUG le ha dado valor y fuerza a la voz de
esta minoría estigmatizada y perseguida. La coalición ha cumplido un rol importante de
oposición al “proyecto de ley anti-homosexualidad” que se propuso en Uganda, y ha usado
exitosamente el sistema legal en su lucha contra la persecución y violencia ejercida en su contra
por el gobierno y agentes privados. Simultáneamente, MSUG se ha dedicado a la atención de
personas víctimas de abusos.

Minorías sexuales - “contaminación de la sociedad”

Frank Mugisha y sus colegas en MSUG han demostrado un gran coraje al afrontar la lucha por los
derechos de la población LGTBI. Hoy en Uganda, las personas que difieren de los cánones
sociales dominantes sobre género y sexualidad son sujetos de abuso. La homosexualidad es
públicamente mostrada como una contaminación “contagiosa” y ajena a la “africanidad” que
destruye la sociedad y por lo tanto debe ser eliminada. Lesbianas, gays, transgeneristas,
bisexuales e intersexuales generalmente son personas excluidas por sus familias y comunidades
cercanas, y despojadas de cualquier sistema de protección social. Muchos pierden su trabajo y
cupo en instituciones educativas y terminan teniendo que vivir en tugurios.

Un activista de MSUG fue asesinado

Frank Mugisha cuenta que vive permanentemente en el miedo: “yo no sé qué me podría pasar en
cualquier momento, no sé quién me quiera ahorcar, no sé quién me quiera atacar”.

David Kato, un importante activista de MSUG, fue asesinado en su casa en enero de 2011. El
homicidio ocurrió después de que su foto fuera publicada en la portada de un periódico local,
Rolling Stone, acompañada del titular: “Los 100 principales homosexuales de Uganda
¡Cuélguenlos!” Kato y otros dos activistas acudieron a las cortes, denunciaron al periódico y
ganaron el caso. Poco después Kato fue asesinado...¨ leer todo, AQUI

MURDER ON THE UGANDAN anti-LGBTI ACTIVIST EXPRESS: ¨It is not just the international community that is suspicious about the murder investigation of Anglican David Kato!¨ Part Eleven

There are ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ reasons to kill gay activist Kato

This article is likely to upset, so if you are thin-skinned, don’t read it. According to the Uganda Police, Sydney Nsubuga has confessed to killing Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato in his home in Mukono last week. Nsubuga had, according to the story, been having an affair with Kato and killed him in anger when the latter failed to give him the glittering presents he had promised.

Many don’t believe that account. First, because of the Uganda government’s rabid anti-gay views. Second, because a gay-hating tabloid called Rolling Stone was allowed to publish names of alleged gays or their supporters and call for them to be hanged, until a court stopped it. The government wasn’t going to lift a finger. In fact, it was suspected that some homophobic elements in the state might have been secret backers of Rolling Stone.

Because of this, the prevalent view in most of the international media is that Kato was assassinated for his gay activism. Even US President Barack Obama doesn’t seem to fully believe that there was nothing sinister.

However, in all this those who support gay rights and believe that Kato was assassinated, and the homophobes who think he was the Devil and Nsubuga was doing God’s work in allegedly killing him, are the same in several respects.

Some of the gay rights supporters don’t want to consider that Kato died in a normal lover’s quarrel that got out of hand because, privately, they probably don’t believe that a homosexual relationship is emotive enough to kill over.

And the anti-gays folks think it is unnatural. That gays should be got rid, or that we pray to God to turn their sexual orientation in the “right” direction. Both the pro and anti forces, therefore, don’t think that gay love is normal.

If, particularly those who support gay rights, saw it as equal to a heterosexual relationship then they would treat it as such (the specific hostile environment that Kato worked and lived in notwithstanding). Kato’s death demonstrates the complex situations that progressives on many issues in Africa face, and why the general state of our individual freedoms and rights are in such a shameful state...¨ read it all, HERE

· Thanks to The Daily Monitor, Uganda
· Thanks to  Charles Onyango-Obbo
· Thanks to The African Activist, sidebar
· Thanks to Amplifying Africa's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Voices

HONOURED, IN DEATH: Friends from around the World have joined Ugandan ¨Kuchus¨ to celebrate the life of David Kato. Part Ten

Friends in Central America join together with the heroic ¨Kuchus of Uganda¨ to celebrate the life of David Kato

¨I feel a funny kind of pride, seeing the way friends. From across the world have joined Ugandan kuchus to celebrate the life of David Kato.

Celebrating the life, work and passion of David Kato

I no longer talk about it as a mourning. We must, up and go. And that includes turning from the tears which are too ready to flow, to celebrating his life, his work, his passion. He died. But, we still live, and there is much to do. Not least shown of course by the vicious campaign of dishonour which is going on at the same time.
But, I speak of honour here.

Friends all over the world have been part of it.¨ read it all HERE

· Thanks to Gay Uganda, Kampala
· Thanks to The Heroic Kuchus of Uganda
· Thanks to David Kato, Uganda, Worldwide Unity

HONORING ANGLICAN/UGANDAN DAVID KATO: Bishop Gene Robinson Spearheads Call for Prayer and Remembrance at The National Prayer Breakfast, Part Eight

Prayers for David Kato, Ugandan Hero, R.I.P.

¨Key religious leaders are calling for ‘A Prayer for David Kato' on February 3rd, the first day of the National Prayer Breakfast, to honor the Ugandan gay rights activist who was killed last week, amidst a storm of anti-gay sentiment in his country. Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and Auburn Theological Seminary are spearheading this national call for prayer and remembrance.

Mr. Kato was one of the few openly gay Ugandans willing to speak out against the anti-gay fervor spawned by a bill that proposes life sentences and even the death penalty in some cases for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Members of “The Family,” the private group that organizes the influential National Prayer Breakfast, were widely reported as having inspired this legislation last year.

"Coming off of the brutal murder of David Kato, and with this death penalty legislation potentially heading for a vote, it is vital now more than ever that the organizers of the National Prayer Breakfast join us in ending this hatred and violence," said Bishop Robinson. "As an act of good faith, we urge that at the National Prayer Breakfast this Thursday, they lead a prayer of compassion and concern for the family, friends and colleagues of David Kato, and pray for their protection from further harm."

Bishop Robinson and a coalition of religious leaders organized the American Prayer Hour as an alternative to the National Prayer Breakfast last year, and asked President Obama to use his appearance at the National Prayer Breakfast to denounce the anti-gay legislation in Uganda. He did, calling the legislation "odious"; and this past week the President released a statement about David Kato's recent murder: "David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate... The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work." read it all, HERE

· Thanks to Walking With Integrity, sidebar
· Thanks to Bishop V. Gene Robinson, TEC diocese of New Hampshire
· Thanks to Anglican David Kato, R.I.P.