RELIGIOUS and POLITICAL LEADERS APPROVED OF THE SLAYING: LGBTI Ugandans have never been safe, but the threats are growing after the murder of David Kato...

Anglican Archbishop Henry Orombi/Uganda -- Deadly silent after the murder of Anglican David Kato

David Kato's Death has Galvanised Anti-LGBTI Sentiment in Uganda

¨Religious leaders here have approved the brutal slaying, a state lawmaker has proposed legislation that would require parents to report their homosexual children to police and a local newspaper has outed several suspected gays with the suggestion that they be hanged...


Kasha Jacqueline is the founder and director of Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG), the only exclusively lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual organization in Uganda

Ugandans’ response to the Kato slaying has created an almost palpable atmosphere of fear among homosexuals. Kato‘s former colleague at the rights group Freedom and Roam Uganda, Kasha Jacqueline, said she has turned off her phone because of an increase in death threats.

“We’ve never been safe, but the threats are growing,” she said, adding that institutions that would be expected to defend gays’ struggle for equality have distanced themselves from the cause.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission has found no compelling reason to take action amid rising hostility. “We don’t want to single out a group,” commission Chairman Med S.K. Kaggwa told The Washington Times. “When you start identifying with one group, you stop doing your job.”...

But anti-homosexual activists have seized on the Kato slaying as evidence that gays are conspiring to corrupt the family and are more prone to sexual abuse than heterosexuals.

“Homosexuals are killing our children,” said David Bahati, a member of parliament. “Theirs is an evil cause for corrupting our youth.”

“Kato‘s murder is bringing the national debate back to where it belongs,” he added.

Anglican and MP David Bahati, chief sponsor of ¨Kill the Gays¨ Bill pending before the Parliament of Uganda

Mr. Bahati is the chief sponsor of a bill that would make it a crime for a landlord to offer housing to a homosexual and require parents to report their homosexual children to authorities. (Homosexuality is illegal in more than 30 African countries, including Uganda.)

He brushes off criticism of his legislation by saying, “God is the author [of the bill]. I am just an instrument.”...

Mr. Bahati predicts his bill will pass after presidential elections this month.

Uganda‘s central government has issued no statements regarding Kato‘s death. HERE

Slaying of Gay Activist Spotlights Homophobia's Rise in Uganda

In this staunchly anti-homosexual country, Allen Mutebi has gotten used to moving -- five times within the last two years, to be exact.

"They suspect. They talk. Threats are made. I move on," shrugs Mutebi, a gay man who spoke on condition that his real name not be used because he feared for his safety.

The killing of gay right activist David Kato last month has reinforced anti-homosexual attitudes in Uganda.But following the killing of prominent gay rights activist David Kato two weeks ago, Mutebi plans to make one final move -- out of Uganda.

"What happened to Kato will happen to more and more people," he predicts.

The motive behind Kato's slaying is still under investigation. Police officials say it did not relate to Kato's sexuality; gay and lesbian activists suspect that it did.

Either way, Kato's death has put the national spotlight squarely on the subject of homosexuality.

Elsewhere, some high-profile murders of sexual minorities -- Matthew Shepard in the U.S., for instance -- became watersheds for greater tolerance. But here, Kato's death has reinforced anti-homosexual attitudes. HERE

· Thanks to African Activist, sidebar
· Thanks to Kasha Jacqueline, Kampala
· Thanks to The Washington Post
· Thanks to The Associated Press, Uganda
· Thanks to Ioannis Gatsiounis
· Thanks to AOL News
· Thanks to The Oslo Freedom Forum

ANOTHER REVOLTING DEVELOPMENT IN ARIZONA: Land of Loose Cannons, The Greedy/Bitter, Over Exposed Sun Teabaggers and Road Running ¨Brewers¨ of Difference -- Some GOP´s Strike Snakelike in The Valley of the Sun!

Grand Canyon state Republicans shows Sheriff Joe Arpaio leading the field to replace the retiring Sen. Jon Kyl (R).

Just when one blinks and thinks that promoting viciousness, arrogance and dangerous bigotry is being rethought-out by the everyday citizen in Arizona (land of loose cannons/gun possessing-packing greedy crybabies and crazed/used old Sun Teabaggers), some GOP voters think Maricopa County Sheriff Joe is the kind of bigmouth they need to promote as their next mouthpiece in the U.S. Senate.  Figures, never underestimate the damage caused by a violent Sun/Son in Arizona. HERE

I once worked in Arizona for Goldwaters Department Store.  I was a young buyer from San Francisco who met up with my first crowd of ¨Conservative Republicans¨ both at work and play.  I was amazed what a wonderful and decent/fair group these folks were (and worked hard to become)--afterall, it was a time when when many of us believed in ¨making love and not war.¨  Most Arizonans agreed with the ¨love part.¨ As it turns out I loved being amongst the very honorable ¨Republicans¨ in Arizona for my four years during the late sixties learning/working experience--they believed strongly in the value and privacy and ¨individual rights¨ of every human being/citizen, coworker and everyday friend--every ONE of WE everyday people were respected and that would include a Gay man like me or the female Latino Coworker who was being treated equally, being paid well (females at the time were slightly behind in the general public pay scale but not at Goldwaters where there would soon be a female, ¨Ms. Phoenix Sportswear¨ Buyer, who became President of the Stores-- the first at Associated Dry Goods) and always accepted and made to feel welcome at work/beyond work.  The police were strict but I think rather healthy-minded and one of my roomates was a Probation Officer and the other worked at the Playboy Club near Park Central...a nice ¨balance/mix¨ I thought at the time as we enjoyed life/equality at our lively rented house environment, in Scottsdale, behind Camelback Mountain...very civilized, friendly and hospitable.

Things have changed in Arizona?

· Thanks to TPM, sidebar
· Thanks to Evan McMorris-Santoro

¨CRITICALLY IMPORTANT¨ MINISTRY IN UGANDA: The Rev. Canon Ogle to become President of the Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo´s ¨St. Paul’s Foundation¨ - ministry of reconciliation to all Ugandans!



The Rt. Reverend Christopher Ssenyonjo/UGANDA and The Reverend Canon Albert Ogle, TEC

Notable Citizens, Senators and Episcopal/Anglican leaders support LGBT ¨reconciliation¨  at The Capital of the State of California, Bishop V.G. Robinson/New Hampshire, Christopher Ssenyonjo/Uganda and The Reverend Canon Albert Ogle (far right)

 The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, Integrity USA’s Vice President of National Affairs, announces his resignation from the Integrity organization in order to work full time with Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, retired Bishop of West Buganda, Uganda.

Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo/Uganda, at The Center for Democratic Progress, Washington D.C.

¨The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, Integrity USA’s Vice President of National Affairs, announces his resignation from the Integrity organization in order to work full time with Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, retired Bishop of West Buganda, Uganda. The Rev. Canon Ogle leaves Integrity USA to serve full time as President of the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, which will focus on deepening international relationships and support for Bishop Christopher’s ministry of reconciliation to all Ugandans.



The Rev. David L. Norgard, President,  Integrity U.S.A.

“It is with regret that we accept Albert’s resignation from Integrity’s Board of Directors. We owe Albert many thanks, as he has devoted himself faithfully to our mission. However, so that he can focus on this new critically important work, Albert has expressed the desire to turn his full attention to this new direction. We wish him well,” said the Rev. David Norgard, President of the Board of Integrity USA. HERE


  St. Pauls Foundation for International Reconciliation:  HERE

·  Thanks to The Rt. Reverend Christopher Ssenyonjo, Uganda
·  Thanks to The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, President of St. Pauls Foundation
·  Thanks to Integrity,  U.S.A. and Uganda · Thanks to Wounded Bird, sidebar



MURDER IN KAMPALA/GAY IN UGANDA: ¨Many of us will get killed in the struggle,” Frank Mugisha

Archbishop Henry Orombi, The Anglican Church of Uganda, remains dead silent after the murder of Anglican LGBTI Activist David Kato

“If you’re gay you can be expelled,” Mugisha began, “your family can throw you out and the church can throw you out. And I love my faith.”

UGANDAN LEADER TALKS ABOUT LGBT OPPRESSION, DAVID KATO

The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Art and Media hosted a presentation and conversation addressing LGBT activist efforts in Uganda as well as the current state of the country’s LGBT rights.

Frank Mugisha - photo: courtsey of Sara Slawnik

The presentation, held on Jan. 31 at Columbia College, fell just days after the brutal murder of David Kato, one of few openly gay activists in Uganda. Kato served as the litigation and advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), an underground effort to restore basic human rights for the LGBT community in Uganda, a country notorious for its inhumane treatment of LGBT people.

“We’re not here tonight because David Kato was murdered,” said Jane Saks, executive director of the ESB Institute, “We’re here because he should be alive.”

Frank Mugisha, who serves as the current executive director of SMUG, sat in the first row as Saks recounted meeting the 27-year-old Mugisha a year prior in Kampala, Uganda, “I have grown to admire him as a leader,” she said of Mugisha, “as a young man making courageous decisions.” Saks introduced Mugisha, who approached the podium with a big smile, seemingly careless and worry-free.

“If you’re gay you can be expelled,” Mugisha began, “your family can throw you out and the church can throw you out. And I love my faith.” Mugisha grew up thinking he was alone and described trying everything to cure his homosexuality from laying out in the sun to hours of prayer. He soon realized that there was nothing he could to do to change, so he came out.

“When I got family support I said, ‘why can’t I also reach out and get support [from other people]?’ ” leading Mugisha to come out publicly. He met David Kato during a Ugandan court case where Kato spotted a smiling Mugisha from across the room. He insisted Mugisha become involved in his efforts to promote fair treatment for the LGBT community in Uganda. “He became a father to me in the movement,” Mugisha said of Kato. “He became a supporter of me in the movement.”

Mugisha was already en route to Chicago when he learned of Kato’s murder. Local authorities quickly dubbed the murder the result of a robbery, but Mugisha knew otherwise, “Many of us will get killed in the struggle,” he said nonchalantly much to the surprise of many in the crowd, most under the age of thirty. “David was hammered twice on the head. Neighbors came to the rescue but he died en route to the hospital.”

A statement issued by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Jan. 27 offered sympathy for the murder of Kato and promised continued support for LGBT rights in the United States on behalf of those abroad.

Mugisha maintained a calm demeanor as he described the horrors that befall LGBT citizens in Uganda, including a story of a girl who was repeatedly raped by relatives in order to “convert” her. The girl ended up pregnant, contracted HIV/AIDS and had to get an abortion. HERE

UPDATED: Sunday afternoon, 13 February 2011

During our conversation yesterday, my initial impression of David Bahati’s offer to come to Uganda, was, that it was probably rhetorical, and his threat to arrest me and “convert” me was offered as a dark jest.

Anglican MP David Bahati, author of ¨Kill the Gays¨ Bill before Parliament. Gay scape-goating employed to divert attention from the real Ugandan truth- there is no democracy in Uganda

¨During our conversation yesterday, my initial impression of David Bahati’s offer to come to Uganda, was, that it was probably rhetorical, and his threat to arrest me and “convert” me was offered as a dark jest.


But, after reviewing the context my past contacts with him and tone in which he said those things to me yesterday, I am now sure that he has become completely obsessed over the gay press coverage reporting on the situation in Uganda and Bahati was serious in both his offer to go to Uganda and his threat to arrest and “convert” me.


Is it David Bahati’s intention to lure me to his country and force me, by whatever mean necessarily, to give his world view of homosexuality? Lacking that, I believe he thought he could coerce me into favorable reports. He tried long enough, over the phone- to no avail.


Shortly after my discussion I received a message from a friend who had been kidnapped and horribly tortured - over night, in Uganda - intimidated into withdrawing his campaigning for the opposition Party in the upcoming election. My friend is in great pain and terror. Even though this has nothing to do with being gay, per se, I have now been exposed to the lie first hand – that there will never be a fair and free election and that Uganda’s beauty is duly masked by Museveni, Bahati, government backed tabloids, and the gay scape-goating employed to divert attention from the real Ugandan truth- there is no democracy in Uganda!

I am likewise now sure, with no shade of doubt in my mind, that David Bahati is a very dangerous man, empowered with drafting legislation that could obstruct Uganda’s progress as a global player and also a clear motivator for more murder and mayhem in Africa. HERE

¨...there will never be a fair and free election and that Uganda’s beauty is duly masked by Museveni, Bahati, government backed tabloids, and the gay scape-goating employed to divert attention from the real Ugandan truth- there is no democracy in Uganda¨



There is NO Democracy in Uganda

·  Thanks to Behind the Mask, sidebar
·  Thanks to Frank Mugisha
·  Thanks to Jane Saks

·  Thanks to The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Art and Media
·  Thanks to Sara Slawnik, Photo/Frank Mugisha
·  Thanks to LGBT Asylum News, sidebar
·  Thanks to Paul Canning, 

Marc Epprecht*, Recipient, Desmond Tutu Award: "alert to the quiet victories that are unfolding behind the sensational headlines about homophobia."

Marc Epprecht is a Professor in the Department of Global Development Studies at Queen's University, Kingston and recipient of the Desmond Tutu Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Study of Sexuality in Africa” from the International Resource Network-Africa.

Quiet Victories Behind Sensational Headlines About Homophobia
 
¨Another side of this story, however, does not get as much attention. This is the story of the emergence of a vibrant lgbti (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) network across the continent, of creative and courageous challenges to homophobia, of sensitive and insightful new research into “sexual secrets,” and of political and religious leaders who are resisting the demagogic tide. How many people are aware that six African nations endorsed the recent UN General Assembly resolution to include sexual orientation in the universal declaration of human rights?...


Four factors make me guardedly optimistic about this.

First, notwithstanding the “homosexuality is unAfrican” rhetoric one so often hears, African cultures traditionally recognized and in some cases honoured a wide array of alternative expressions of sexuality and marital arrangements, including female-female marriage, transgender spirit possession, and warrior/”servant” relationships. Knowledge of these traditions, and of new forms of sexual relationships that emerged in industrial centres, prisons, boarding schools, and criminal gangs in the early 20th century, may be attenuated and/or somewhat embarrassing. Most Africans, however, in my view, know in their hearts that the “unAfrican” claim is false and hypocritical.

Second, again from my personal observation, Africans tend to have a very strong sense of pragmatism. Behind the idioms of culture and religion, most people want to keep families together and, indeed, even many of the self-identified gays I have met in Africa want to have their own families for emotional and practical reasons. Most Deputy Ministers of Health, Education, Defence, Prisons and Police, meanwhile, do not want their constituents to die from easily preventable diseases or their officials and the courts to be bogged down with cases of consensual relationships and petty extortion. When the empirical facts are quietly explained, using euphemistic language if appropriate to avoid attracting political attention, families, health officials, police, and concerned bureaucrats tend to respond in pragmatic ways. The key is to get the facts explained.

That is my third point. From the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, it was assumed that male-male transmission of the disease was not a significant factor. “African AIDS” meant heterosexual intercourse and mother-to-child transmission, with some isolated cases of needle stick injuries and intravenous drug use. From the mid-1990s, however, research (and memoirs and fiction) began to cast some doubt on this characterization. Evidence of unsafe male-male sex in prison, among street kids, and among networks of “hidden” bisexuals have now accumulated to the point – 25 years after the first case of HIV among black Africans were reported – that The Lancet finally conceded it may have been mistaken to overlook male-male sexuality (and homophobia) as contributing to the spread of the disease. Large scale studies in places like Nigeria and Kenya have by now established that male-male transmission may be responsible for as much as 15% of all cases of HIV. Males who have sex with males but do not identify as homosexual clearly pose a public health risk.

As this information percolates from academic studies to the mass media, the danger is that lgbti will be further stigmatized in the public eye. My final cause for optimism, however, is the courage and articulateness of so many sexual rights activists in Africa. In the last few years I have had the privilege of participating in a number of workshops where this was on display, including a November 2010 event in Cape Town that brought over 100 delegates from around Africa together to debate political strategies (http://www.boell.org.za/web/112-593.html). One can also see the network and the self-confidence grow on the pan-African sexual rights website, Behind the Mask (www.mask.org.za). The movement is forging closer ties to feminist and other non-gay civil society groups than was conceivable a decade ago, getting the message out that lgbti are equally deserving of human rights, health and dignity as any other citizens.¨  HERE

* Marc Epprecht (Queens University) Marc Epprecht is a Professor in the Department of Global Development Studies at Queen's University, Kingston, where he teaches a graduate course on methodology, epistemology and ethics, and undergraduate courses on HIV/AIDS, Africa, and global food systems. He has published extensively on the history of gender and sexuality in Africa including Hungochani: The history of a dissident sexuality in southern Africa (2004 - winner of the 2006 Joel Gregory Prize from the Canadian Association of African Studies) and Heterosexual Africa?: The History of an Idea from the Age of Exploration to the Age of AIDS (Ohio University Press, 2008 - finalist for the 2009 Mel Herskovits prize from the African Studies Association). He recently received the Desmond Tutu Award for "Outstanding Contributions to the Study of Sexuality in Africa" from the International Resource Network-Africa, an arm of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the City University of New York.
 
·  Thanks to African Activist, sidebar
·  Thanks to Marc Epprecht
·  Thanks to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anglican Hero

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

Dear Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury: ¨All over the world, human beings are longing for liberation, love, respect and the dignity to have meaningful lives.¨ Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, Uganda

Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

The following is the full text of the letter from Bishop Ssenyonjo to Archbishop Rowan Williams and the Anglican Communion.

Dear Archbishop Rowan Williams, Primates and fellow bishops, clergy and people of our diverse Anglican Communion.

Peace from God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I give thanks on behalf of the family and friends of David Kato for your love and prayers at this difficult time. All over the world, human beings are longing for liberation, love, respect and the dignity to have meaningful lives. This week alone, we witnessed it in Egypt .We also see this longing in the struggle for human rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people (LGBT) through the sacrificial life and death of David Kato. As human beings, we must respect our differences and be united in our call for listening and sharing with each other. To understand God, we are all called to understand the mystery of each other, including our sexualities. God has given us this gift and to defame, condemn, imprison and kill human beings because of their God-given nature, is a great human error. The church has a tragic history of condemning Jews, Moslems, scientists and LGBT people. Our teaching and theology has a causal effect and if we do not learn from our own historical mistakes, we will repeat the same sinful destruction of lives, families and communities.

When European churches failed to protect minority communities during World War II, people were sent to the gas chambers and concentration camps. Many religious people in Europe emerged from that experience to help create the Declaration of Human Rights. We now have sixty years of building an internationally recognised framework for the protection of human rights in every country. If Anglicans in one country dehumanize, persecute and imprison minorities, we must be true to the Gospel and challenge such assaults on basic human rights. They key to our ministry must be to educate our people and encourage LGBT people to tell their stories and the impact of homophobia in their lives. Listening to the stories of LGBT people was the beginning of my own transformation. This work of understanding the phenomenon of human sexuality should be taken seriously in our theological seminaries and schools. The clergy should be well equipped to serve and not to ignorantly repel the people of God. A required course in Human Sexuality should be required of all seminarians and clergy.

Many African countries imprison LGBT people because of who they are. As a bishop in the midst of those countries, I am now a shepherd caring for the lost sheep that are persecuted by the Church and threatened by a pending anti-homosexual draconian bill in Uganda. I preach the new covenant of Jesus Christ sealed in love as we read in John 15:12. This is the heart of the Gospel-the Good News. This sacrifice of Love is mocked when sister churches tolerate or promote the violation of basic human rights. Life and liberty are at risk and we must hold each other accountable. A loving Anglican Communion should not keep quiet when the Rolling Stone tabloid in Uganda openly supports the “hanging of the homos,” including a fellow bishop who pleads for their inclusion and non-discrimination! Silence has the power to kill. We have witnessed its destruction this past week in the tragic and cruel murder of David Kato.

We African Anglicans have a rich and powerful history of speaking out on human rights in the most difficult of situations. Bishop Colenso worked with Zulus to establish an indigenous church while being fought by his fellow English bishops. Bishops Trevor Huddleston, John Taylor and Desmond Tutu resisted Apartheid. We must not demean our great tradition by oppressing LGBT minorities under any circumstances, even to maintain Anglican unanimity. The criminalization of homosexuality remains the greatest state and church sanctioned violence perpetrated against LGBT people and their allies in many countries. We must agree to demolish all forms of institutional homophobia beginning with the removal of all laws that punish human beings for being gay or living in loving relationships. This will be the first step in providing basic human rights to a largely invisible international community who live in daily fear of their lives.

So in thanksgiving for the unity and commitment we have together, let us continue to listen to one another, to protect the vulnerable and marginalized within our own societies and to bring our collective wisdom to the work of repairing the world and correcting the great injustices in our local communities.

Bishop Christopher, Uganda

+Christopher

Rt. Rev. Christopher Senyonjo

Further information on the work of the St. Paul’s Centre and Bishop Christopher may be obtained from Rev. Canon Albert Ogle at aogle@stpaulsfoundation.com

· Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin, sidebar HERE
· Thanks to Wake Up and Live, sidebar HERE
· Thanks to The Rt. Reverend Christopher Ssenyonjo, Uganda
· Thanks to Jim Burroway

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

ATTENTION ARCHBISHOP OROMBI--RAMPANT CORRUPTION IN UGANDA! Government tolerance for public/vertical ¨corruption¨ by ¨officials¨ and pending ¨anti-human rights¨ hate-laws have caused 30% of Ugandas Annual Budget to be withheld!

Anglican Global South Bishop Henry Orombi called upon to ¨undertake urgent measures to curb vice¨ in corrupt Uganda.  Bishop Orombi please don´t export Ugandan corruption/bigotry throughout The Anglican Communion.

Note: ¨The retired Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Zebedee Masereka, has lashed out at the Anglican community in Uganda, saying it is riddled with corruption. Bishop condemns corruption in churches...¨ read it all, HERE

Note: ¨The man, Christopher, was a Bishop in the Anglican church. However, Christopher had been excommunicated and defrocked by his Anglican Archbishop because of his support of homosexuals. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled ...read it all HERE

Note: Eric and Patricia/Josephine serve/served as Anglican Church of Uganda fundraisers for ¨Ecclesiastical Protection from Poisoness Americans¨ as well as being ¨LGBTI Scammers¨ and watchdogs for other potentially profitable evil and ... read it all, HERE

President Yoweri Museveni called upon to ¨undertake urgent measures to curb vice¨ in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda

¨Donors will suspend aid to Uganda to protest at escalating corruption unless the government undertakes urgent measures to curb the vice, the donors warned Kampala in a letter.

Uganda's economy has maintained a powerful growth momentum over the last decade, riding on liberal reforms and rising entrepreneurial energy.

However, mounting corruption and government's reluctance to combat it have stoked fierce criticism and analysts have warned the vice may dampen the country's otherwise bright growth prospects.

Kundhavi Kadiresan, World Bank's representative in Uganda and current chair of the donors' group that presented the statement to the government, said Kampala's tolerance of corrupt public officers was deepening a culture of impunity.

"The undeniable lack of government action to follow up on cases of grand corruption is a key area of development partner concern," she said in the letter seen by Reuters on Thursday.

"Donors ... are currently considering a range of actions. This may include withholding disbursements, reductions in aid or reprogramming away from direct budget support."

The east African country has also faced intense pressure from Western governments and human rights groups over a draft anti-gay law that would prohibit sexual relations between people of the same sex as well as the recognition of homosexual relations as an acceptable lifestyle.

Although economic expansion has enormously boosted Uganda's domestic revenue base and allowed the country to accelerate reduction of donor-dependence, aid still accounts for about 30 percent of its annual budgetary resources.¨
HERE

· Thanks to Reuters, Uganda
· Thanks to The State Department, United States and Germany

Prominent African Writers/Academicians: ¨We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given...¨

Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate for Literature, One of the signatories

On the Murder of David Kato, the Ugandan Gay Rights Campaigner

We the undersigned condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of Mr David Kato the Ugandan gay rights campaigner. We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of homosexuality must change for the better just as our opinion of slavery has changed even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts.

All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith.

We call on the government of Uganda to find and prosecute all those involved in the murder of Mr Kato, including the newspaper that called for the hanging of gays. We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalize homosexuality or treat homosexuals as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. Homosexuals must not be denied these rights. HERE

Prominent African Writers, academicians come out to oppose homophobia

1. Wale Adebanwi, PhD, University of California

2. Kayode Adeduntan, PhD, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

3. Biola Adegboyega, University of Calgary, Canada

4. Akin Adesokan, PhD, Indiana University, US

5. Anthony Akinola, PhD, Oxford, UK

6. Bode Asiyanbi, Writer, Lancaster University, UK

7. Sefi Atta, Writer, US

8. Damola Awoyokun, Writer, UK

9. Doreen Baingana, Writer, Uganda

10. Igoni Barrett, Writer, Nigeria

11. Chris Dunton, PhD, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

12. Ropo Ewenla, PhD, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

13. Chris Ihidero, Writer/Lagos State University, Nigeria

14. Ikhide R. Ikheloa, Writer, US

15. Biodun Jeyifo, PhD, Harvard University, US

16. Ebenezer Obadare, PhD, University of Kansas, US

17. Tejumola Olaniyan, PhD, University of Wisconsin, US

18. Akin Omotosho, Actor and filmmaker, South Africa

19. Kole Omotosho, PhD, Africa Diaspora Research Group, South Africa

20. Samuel Sabo, Writer, UK

21. Ramzi Salti, PhD, Stanford University, US

22. Lola Shoneyin, Writer, Nigeria

23. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate for Literature

24. Olufemi Taiwo, PhD, Seattle University, US

25. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Writer, Nigeria

26. Kristy Warren, PhD, University of Warwick, UK

Petitioners Please Reply to:
Iya Osoronga
osoronga@yahoo.com

·  Thanks to African Writers and Academics Against Homophobia
·  Thanks to Gay Kenya, sidebar
·  Thanks to Denis Nzioka

A Message from Anglican Hero Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

¨...I could not myself keep quiet whilst people were being penalized for something about which they could do nothing, their sexuality. For it is so improbable that any sane, normal person would deliberately choose a lifestyle exposing him or her to so much vilification, opprobrium and physical abuse, even death. To discriminate against our sisters and brothers who are lesbian or gay on grounds of their sexual orientation for me is as totally unacceptable and unjust as Apartheid ever was.¨
HERE