EXPOSING IGNORANCE IMPOSED ON THE MINORITY & MAJORITY: Archbishop Henry Orombi and Anglican MP David ¨Kill the Gays¨ Bahati and the hate pack of those who ciculate dangerous mistruths in Uganda -- UPDATE KAMPALA!

 Remembering ¨Kuchu¨ and Anglican ¨Integrity Uganda¨ member and Gay Rights Activist David Kato

¨Call Me Kuchu (referencing a self-empowering, inclusive synonym for queer in Swahili) is a documentary from the team of Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall detailing the plight of David Kato, Uganda’s first openly gay person (yes, you read that correctly). Celebrating the 9th anniversary of a gay couple in the privacy of their quarters, Kato swings his hips to some music while being served appetizers (that’s my move, but I'll let him have it), before the film travels down the arduous, insurmountable issues Ugandan gays face today in the second decade of the 21st-century. Along with providing a slice-of-life impression of gays featured, the film goes on to detail a libel case affecting regular law-abiding gays, as well as a national proposed law from Ugandan MP David Bahati that would require citizens to "report" gay people within a twenty-four hour period of discovery.¨

The main theme quite simply is the repressing environment which ignorance can impose on a minority, who must muster every ounce of strength they have to continue their fight lest unsound minds prevail. Homophobia is embedded in the culture of this stubborn country that would prefer to live in perpetual denial that circulates mistruths, disease, and death, than listen to Western leaders. Ugandan leaders speak out against the civilization of the west and homosexuality using Westernized media, but it is the west who introduced anti-gay laws to the world, as well as Christianity to Uganda in the later 1800s. While ignoring sensible, heart-driven Christian leaders in their own backyard like heterosexual Bishop Senjonyo (who was in attendance at the screening Saturday night), they invite the likes of Western Evangelicals like Lou Engle and Scott Lively, who manipulate and take advantage of this unevolved society, ripe for brainwashing. The documentary is rife with irony, which even includes a shot of an advertisement for unjudged R. Kelly. An anti-gay leader can sit down on a couch with a lesbian and have a “discussion,” but he’s never going to address any of the elephants in the room. The long list of lies that are allowed and encouraged to parasitically attach themselves to the gay movement include pedophilia, prostitution, and the deliberate spread of HIV. Even a terrorist bombing of Kampala is laid at the feet of gays. Gay youth are manipulated by the system, including curative rape, no counsel for defense, and subjection to abortions. Activists battle against an HIV spread rate which ignorance makes more rampant. Sometimes meandering through its ca. 90-minute runtime, Kuchu reaches an unfortunate poignancy towards the end (it's better if you go into this film blind). HERE

·  Thanks to David Kato, R.I.P.
·  Thanks to Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall
·  Thanks to ¨Call me Kuchu¨
·  Thanks to Anglican Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, Uganda
·  Thanks to Counterlights Peculiars, sidebar

UPDATE, KAMPALA!

Ugandan police raid gay rights gathering

June 19, 2012

¨No matter how much progress we are finally making in the United States, our gay brothers and sisters around the world are still in the struggle of their lives… literally¨ HERE

Ugandan Anglican David Kato was a true human rights activist bravely calling for an end to intolerance, violence, discrimination and, hate. All persons are entitled to basic human rights.

This tribute is done by friends, collegues and organizations that worked with David as a celebration of his life

REMEMBERING HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST and ANGLICAN HERO DAVID KATO

¨For those who knew, interacted with and shared the life and times of David, he impacted us in a most profound way. We can’t help but remember the passion, courage, energy and swiftness with which David executed his work.


David was a true human rights activist bravely calling for an end to intolerance, violence, discrimination and, hate. All persons are entitled to basic human rights. But in any society, it is easy to erode the rights of marginalized or minority groups, be it on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or other status. Commitment to human rights principles is most tested when we are asked to speak out for those at the edges of society.


As a member of the global human rights movement, David was such a voice on behalf of members of the gay community in Uganda who are routinely subject to arbitrary arrests, hate speech, torture, vigilante violence, and persecution. David had a vision of a better Uganda. One of tolerance and inclusion, where all people count equally.


David not only displayed a principled commitment, he also displayed energy, enthusiasm and pride in his human rights work. He consistently challenged intolerance and homophobia. His courage allowed him to take risks where others wouldn’t venture. He crisscrossed the country following up on arbitrary arrests, and documented cases of discrimination, torture and mistreatment of persons on the basis of their sexuality. For his efforts to uphold human rights, he was targeted, vilified, and threatened.


Fully aware of the risks his work involved, yet undeterred he was always on hand to respond to the never ending crisis situations confronting his community. He was never one to complain of work overload. He was never cowed by the numerous threats to his life and that of his collegues. Yet in all this he found it in himself to display gentleness, kindness and a sense of humor.


David who generously walked the extra mile to ease the pain of others, he gave his life selflessly so that others may have. His courage in the face of adversity was admirable. He suffered personal attacks, physical harm, yet his determination not to let fear, hostility and hatred deter him was inspirational.


Even when he suffered the momentary loss of energy and burnout, he had an amazing ability to re-energise.


We grieve with the family and friends at this sad moment of the demise of David.


We have a lost a fearless, committed, and cheerful human rights defender.


We will feel the emptiness long after you are gone, but renew our resolve to continue David’s struggle for a Uganda without hate, violence, and discrimination.


YOU have left a candle whose light will never be blown off,


We can only use it to light our own


We join the voices of all those condemning David’s senseless killing and call for a thorough, independent and impartial investigations into this brutal murder.¨   HERE

AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE

HIVOS

ASTRAEA

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS

AKIBA UHAKI

URGENT ACTION FUND

MAMA CASH

UHAI

THE FUND FOR GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS

EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT

·Thanks to Gay Kenya, sidebar
·Thanks to Denis Nzioka
·Thanks to Flickr Photo Sharing
·Thanks to Betsy J´s, Photoart