GAY GRANTED ASYLUM IN U.S.A.: A gay, deaf Ugandan would have made him another sad statistic if he had been sent back to Uganda

(l to r) CT PRIDE members William Urich and Kalisa* with Attorneys Marisa DeFranco and Amy Grunder moments after Kalisa was granted US asylum.

Kalisa's case is unique in that he is not only gay, but is also hearing impaired since the age of 10 when an incorrect treatment for malaria in his village in Uganda left him deaf.

¨Recently I traveled to the JFK Federal Building in Boston to appear as a witness on behalf of Kalisa*, who works with Connecticut PRIDE. Kalisa, a Ugandan citizen, petitioned for a stay of deportation and had requested US asylum. For some time now, I have been working with Pascal's attorney, Marisa DeFranco, to keep the US government from sending Kalisaback to Uganda. We all know what happens there.

Kalisa's case is unique in that he is not only gay, but is also hearing impaired since the age of 10 when an incorrect treatment for malaria in his village in Uganda left him deaf. There are no protections or accommodations for people with disabilities in Uganda. That fact, complicated by his homosexuality, would surely have made Kalisa another sad statistic if he were to be sent back.  read it all, HERE

*Not his real name. Kalisa asked to use a pseudonym because he fears for the safety of his family in Uganda if his real identity is used.


·  Thanks to William Urich
·  Thanks to Conneticut Pride
·  Thanks to Marisa DeFranco and Amy Grunder
·  Thanks to LGBT Asylum News, sidebar

Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, does not want to see the Anglican Communion self-destruct during his incumbency

¨One can hardly fault the Archbishop of Canterbury for trying to keep the Anglican Communion from disintegrating; doing so is surely a task entailed by his job description¨

¨Yesterday, some friends and I were discussing how Rowan Williams has been such a disappointment as Archbishop of Canterbury. Whereas many of us expected him to be a progressive primate who would move both the Church of England and the Anglican Communion forward, he has instead been an instrument of reaction under whose leadership the Anglican Communion threatens to either fall apart or to descend into irrelevance. Those of us who welcomed the end of George Carey’s tenure had high hopes for the new resident of Lambeth Palace, but those hopes were not to be realized. We prayed that the Jeffrey John affair would prove an aberration, but Rowan’s missteps began happening with such predictable regularity that that it soon became statistically impossible to credit them either to momentary lapses in judgment or simple bad luck.

What went wrong?

The answer, I think, is twofold...¨read it all, HERE

·  Thanks to Lionel Deimels Web Log, sidebar

MADNESS ALERT/UGANDA -- TO DR. JAMES NSABA-BUTURO: Distortion of the Word of God is ungodly, perpetuates superstition, instigates ignorance/violence against LGBTI citizens and reveals your ¨abnormality¨

¨Ethics Minister¨ Buturos Uganda:  ¨You too can change under a proper environment...

¨Now, here, courtesy of Uganda Urgent Action, is the suggested response of Dr Nsaba-Buturo to any Ugandan who writes to their member of parliament saying that they should not be persecuted. Here is the supposed official response from the government of Uganda.¨

OFFICIAL SUGGESTED RESPONSE:

Dr. Buturo used a letter he had written to someone who
self-identified as gay and it was this reply which he
suggested as a template for other MPs to use.

Dear _________________ ,
What you have described yourself as is a disorientation proper! It is an abnormality per excellence! In their wisdom, most Ugandans see that state of affairs which you are caught up in as an abomination. It does not mean homosexuality does not exist in our society. It does as yourself can testify. There are over 60 former homosexuals whom government is supporting in their rehabilitation effort. They are reverting to their former heterosexual status before they were lured into homosexuality. You too can change under a proper environment. Clearly, it is wrong to ostracise, harass or take harmful measures against the likes of you that have, following different reasons found yourself in that class. You need all manner of support with a view to rehabilitation. I hope that Members of Parliament, in their wisdom will pass a law that protects the human race (Ugandans) while at the same time suuportive of measures that help victims of the abomination. I believe that Homos are human beings with rights to protection and love that we all need. This must not be denied. What should not be acceptable is promotion of a practice that even animals don't practice! Distortion of the Word of God for purposes of selfpreservation is ungodly.


Dr. Buturo

Nsaba-Buturo perpetuates dangerous lies:   ¨What should not be acceptable is promotion of a practice that even animals don't practice!¨  HERE

Homosexual behavior in animals

Homosexual behavior in animals refers to the documented evidence of homosexual and bisexual behavior in animals. This article covers non-human species, for homosexuality in humans, see read Homosexuality. Such behaviors include sex, courtship, affection, pair bonding, and parenting among same sex animals. A 1999 review by researcher Bruce Bagemihl shows that homosexual behavior has been observed in close to 1,500 species, ranging from primates to gut worms, and is well documented for 500 of them.[1][2] Animal sexual behavior takes many different forms, even within the same species. The motivations for and implications of these behaviors have yet to be fully understood, since most species have yet to be fully studied.[3] According to Bagemihl, "the animal kingdom [does] it with much greater sexual diversity — including homosexual, bisexual and nonreproductive sex — than the scientific community and society at large have previously been willing to accept."[4] Current research indicates that various forms of same-sex sexual behavior are found throughout the animal kingdom.[5] A new review made in 2009 of existing research showed that same-sex behavior is a nearly universal phenomenon in the animal kingdom, common across species.[6] Homosexuality is best known from social species.

The observation of homosexual behavior in animals can be seen as both an argument for and against the acceptance of homosexuality in humans, and has been used especially against the claim that it is a peccatum contra naturam ('sin against nature').[1] For instance, homosexuality in animals was cited in the United States Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas which struck down the sodomy laws of 14 states.[7] Whether animal sexuality has logical, ethical, or moral implications in human sexuality is also a source of debate (see appeal to nature).[8][9][10] For more about arguments regarding homosexuality in Humans, see homosexuality. read it all, HERE

¨There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. Because of this, the major mental health professional organizations do not encourage individuals to try to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual.¨

Ex-gay is a term and concept used to describe persons who were once considered to be gay, lesbian or bisexual, but who no longer assert that identity. The ex-gay movement consists of people, support groups and organizations that support people in changing their ego-dystonic sexual orientation, refrain from pursuing same-sex relationships, develop heterosexual attractions, and possibly enter into an opposite-sex relationship.

When the term ex-gay was introduced to professional literature in 1980, E. Mansell Pattison defined it as describing a person who had "experienced a basic change in sexual orientation."[1] Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, has distanced himself from the term's usage, because he believes "We are all so much more than our sexual expressions."[2]

There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. Because of this, the major mental health professional organizations do not encourage individuals to try to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual.[3][dead link][4]

Ex-gay organizations began in the U.S. with Evangelical Christians, but have since spread to include Catholic, LDS, Jewish, Muslim and non-religious groups[5] in several countries. Ex-gays are considered a protected class in Washington DC after a court order.[6][7] read it all HERE

What follows are 10 key myths propagated by the anti-gay movement, along with the truth behind the propaganda.

¨These fairy tales are important to the anti-gay right because they form the basis of its claim that homosexuality is a social evil that must be suppressed — an opinion rejected by virtually all relevant medical and scientific authorities. They also almost certainly contribute to hate crime violence directed at homosexuals, who are more targeted for such attacks than any other minority in America.


Purposedriven hysteria:  Grandstanding Anglican OPPORTUNIST Archbishop Henry Orombi/Uganda ¨most certainly contributes to the hate crimes¨ directed against LGBTI Ugandans/others by claiming that foreigners fund the recruiting/converting of heterosexual children into Gays and Lesbians in Ugandan schools (not one example given of course).

 ¨Ever since born-again singer and orange juice pitchwoman Anita Bryant helped kick off the contemporary anti-gay movement more than 30 years ago, hard-line elements of the religious right have been searching for ways to demonize homosexuals — or, at a minimum, to find arguments that will prevent their normalization in society. For the former Florida beauty queen and her Save Our Children group, it was the alleged plans of gays and lesbians to “recruit” in schools that provided the fodder for their crusade. recognize all the myths. read it all, HERE

· Thanks to Gay Uganda, sidebar
· Thanks to Flickr Photo Sharing
· Thanks to Wikipedia
· Thanks to The U.S. Supreme Court, Lawrence v. Texas
· Thanks to Evelyn Schlatter and Robert Steinback
· Thanks to Southern Poverty Law Center, sidebar

DESPOTS IN WISCONSIN: The Beginning of the End of The Republican Party?

Let the recalls (thanks JCF) and impeachments begin

VAYA CON DIOS: Our dear amigos Jenn and John are on the road heading Norte -- Prayers requested for their safe passage to San Francisco

Jenn and John

Off they´ve gone!  Their car loaded, their spirit of adventure high and they have left many happy and grateful friends in Guatemala who love them dearly...makes us want to cry but we hope to see them again soon--¨home is where the heart is¨ and hearts around here are filled with appreciation for the many kind words and deeds of our friends Jenn and John...our door will always be wide open and piled high ¨tostadas¨ awaiting those two who we love. Enjoy!

HELLO/SECOND REQUEST: Dear Dr. Rowan Williams/Lambeth Palace -- ¨Don´t keep quiet about the abuse and violence faced by gay, lesbian and bisexual people¨ in Uganda/beyond!

¨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. ..¨ HERE

An Anglican bishop in Uganda has urged the Anglican Communion not to "keep quiet" about the abuse and violence faced by gay, lesbian and bisexual people in his country and elsewhere.

Anglican Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, spiritual leader/counselor, to the LGBTI ¨kuchu¨ Community of UGANDA

¨Christopher Senyonjo, the retired Bishop of West Buganda, made the remarks in the wake of the murder of the Ugandan human rights activist David Kato. Kato, a gay Christian, was brutally killed earlier this year shortly after winning a court case against a newspaper which called for him to be hanged.¨

Anglican Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda:  Bishop Orombi has encouraged and fostered hatred of homosexuals in his country and around the globe...
HERE

TO BISHOP OROMBI: Deliver us from evil -- it´s not o.k. to kill people!

¨Several Christian leaders in Uganda have been accused of implicitly encouraging homophobic abuse or violence.

In an open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, along with other Anglican primates and leaders, Senyonjo insisted that "a loving Anglican Communion should not keep quiet" when the media stir up hatred. "Silence has the power to kill," he argued, citing as an example "the tragic and cruel murder of David Kato".

Senyonjo wrote, "If Anglicans in one country dehumanise, persecute and imprison minorities, we must be true to the Gospel and challenge such assaults on basic human rights".

Critics suggest that Anglican leaders internationally have at times failed to condemn homophobic violence in an attempt to avoid controversy and division over issues of sexuality.

In 2009, Ugandan politicians backed an Anti-Homosexuality Bill which would introduce the death penalty for a second "offence" of homosexuality. There was widespread criticism of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who failed publicly to condemn the bill for several weeks, by which time over 3,000 people had signed a petition urging him to do so...¨ read it all HERE

·  Thanks to Ekklesia, sidebar
·  Thanks to Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, Anglican Hero, Uganda
·  Thanks to The ¨kuchus¨ of Uganda

Frightening National Self-Deception: Uganda holds a reputation for being beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, a haven for tourists and investors; the 'Pearl of Africa'.

¨...I am kind of glad. Because, for once, we are beginning to debate, even in the media, and honestly, the unthinking hatred that Ugandans have for us, gay Ugandans.

What do you want Uganda to be famous for?

Uganda holds a reputation for being beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, a haven for tourists and investors; the 'Pearl of Africa'.

Recently Uganda has been making headlines. On the February 14, 2011, the BBC aired a documentary, The world's worst place to be gay. Gay DJ Scott Mills travelled to Uganda, spoke with people on the streets of Kampala, asking their opinion on homosexuals, and some of the responses were, "I hate them"; "they should be killed", and "it's disgusting".

Mills visited a gay bar in Kampala where men spoke of the fear they live in. One young lesbian told him that she had been raped in an attempt to cure her of her orientation, leaving her pregnant and HIV-infected.

Then came his encounter with legislator David Bahati, who, Mills says, wanted him arrested. The documentary focused on the alleged institutionalisation of homophobia in Uganda, the belief that it can be cured and the negative opinions that many hold on it.

Incidentally, some are proud of the image the documentary portrayed of Ugandan society. Kampala based graduate Nicholas Bainomugisha said, "I am glad that the BBC have shown such a programme; it shows the world that we will not accept such ungodly behaviour."

Manchester based business manager, Flora Namirembe, was also impressed by the hard-line opinions of Ugandans interviewed.

"Why should Ugandans have to hide their opinions because the West does not like it?" she said...read it all,  HERE

·  Thanks to Gay Uganda, sidebar
·  Thanks to BBC, United Kingdom
·  Thanks to The Observer, United Kingdom
·  Thanks to Flickr Photo Sharing

DUMPING NONSENSE : There is no reason not to assume that God blesses the monogamous gay couple every bit as much as He blesses the heterosexually married couple!

A truckload of anti-LGBTI NONSENSE headed for the ¨stigma¨ dump!

¨...The last bastion of the civil rights movement is the stigma and exclusion of gay people from our churches and from our secular society. Yet, they can be seen to be a gift to us from God in that, despite their terrible persecution, many remain steadfast in their loving relationships. Despite all of the barriers set up by Christians and non-Christians alike, many remain in committed relationships.

Being constitutionally gay is not a disorder any more than having brown eyes is a disorder! Most gay people have been born that way and like the old Sunday School saying goes, "God doesn't create junk."

If you're gay, you have been blessed by God in that you are capable of loving another human being. The most dangerous people in the world are those who either have nothing to lose or who are incapable of loving others. There is no reason not to assume that God blesses the monogamous gay couple every bit as much as He blesses the heterosexually married couple!

As Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees, we make void the Word of God by our traditions (Matthew 15:3,6,9) Mere fallible human beings interpreted the Bible to condemn same-sex unions! Mere human beings call being gay an "affliction" and gay sex as "intrinsically evil."

When done in a context of monogamous mutual love, the Bible doesn't affirm or condemn homosexuality. Indeed, the Bible is silent on this matter!

Many gay people walk around with guilt and shame because they think that they are condemned before God and their fellow man. Read the Bible with new eyes, taking account of the most recent biblical scholarship (See, for example, The New Oxford Annotated Bible), and see for yourself that God created you just as you are and He affirms and loves you just as you are. God shows far more grace than do mere human beings!

If you're gay, you have been given the gift of the capacity to love by God, your creator. Don't take that gift lightly and do not deny it as a gift from God.

You have the capacity to love another human being, and nothing is more sacred or godly than that... read it all, HERE 

· Thanks to the Reverend Dr. Jerry Maneker
·  Thanks to A Christian Voice for LGBT Rights, sidebar

ATTEMPTING TO MORE ¨EFFECTIVELY¨ DEMONIZE/PERSECUTE LGBTI CHRISTIANS: “God’s plan for sexuality,” and other tripe meant to soothe the brainwashed...

Self-righteous blamers/shamers, common greedsters, hate-mongers and thieves love to promote a God they think they know well enough to speak for!

TODAY Truth Wins Out´s contributor Evan Hurst took the words right out of my brain/mouth--so I added some! 

A Friday Morning Rant
By Leonardo Ricardo

Dangerous/biggoted self-righteous religious ¨abusers¨  who arrogantly think they know my heart/my soul and yours too.

For decades, a lifetime, I´ve listened to  ¨concerned¨ Christians/others, self-righteous or plain crude/stupid, whining or stridently barking ¨for my own good¨ chatter/slander regarding  LGBTI Christians/others as the vicious know-it-all´s at Church determine who is an ¨abomination¨  and who ain´t (in their own words)! 

As if self-righteous religious  ¨selective scriptural smoozers¨ knew my heart or my soul or yours!  Bigotry is simply pure arrogance revealed to me/us over and over again, day in and day out endlessly and sometimes even repackaged to appear more ¨Godly¨ (which also overwishfully covers the ill-will of the preachies).

Many demonizers of others are emotionally and spiritually twisted criminals who, once again, ¨know not what they do¨  as they incite and then instigate hate crimes against innocent LGBTI people worldwide--Uganda in Africa is a sad/dangerous example of U.S. ¨religious fundamentalist¨ promoting  evil abroad.  

Dressing up for Sunday School, writing a big check or slipping on mitres, robes and/or handmade stoles will not change the appearance of ones deeply flawed character...yours or mine.  Good personal character that anti-LGBTI Christians/others expect us to believe they actually possess as they announce ¨Gods Plan for Sexuality¨  and other presumptuous morally-flawed ¨exclusive¨ rubbish.

Speaking for a God that blamers, shamers, common greedsters and thieves think they know so well  is scary, it´s harmful/hurtful, and yes, it´s also 100% distilled hogwash!  Pit bulls wearing lipstick comes to mind.

How Can Christian Students More Effectively Hate Homosexuals?

By Evan Hurst

¨Ashley Horne and Candi Cushman of Focus on the Family have the answer! Unfortunately the video isn’t embeddable, presumably because it’s embarrassing. The video is about Focus’s “Day of Dialogue,” in which they seek to deflect public attention from the blood all over fundamentalist Christian hands when it comes to the bullying and, all too often, suicides among gay teens.

Anyway, they don’t use the word “hate,” but rather use coded dogwhistles and catch phrases like “God’s plan for sexuality,” and other tripe meant to soothe the brainwashed. http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2011/03/15060/">HERE

· Thanks to Truth Wins Out, sidebar
· Thanks to Evan Hurst

The Republic of Uganda vs. Nsubuga Sydney Alias Enoch: ¨JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL¨ Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo

The Mukono Grade Two Magistrate Charles Kadisi has remanded Enock Nsubuga Balibagga, who is accused of murdering David Kato, to Luzira prison

¨Enoch Sydney Nsubuga, David Kato's alleged murderer, has been remanded to Luzira prison to await his trial. The trial itself has been delayed a second time prompting speculation that the state needs more time to investigate the case.¨ African Activist, HERE

The Mukono Grade Two Magistrate Charles Kadisi has remanded Enock Nsubuga Balibagga, who is accused of murdering David Kato, to Luzira prison. David Kato was a prominent Ugandan gay rights activist.

Enock Nsubuga Balibagga, 22 years, who is being prosecuted by David Toskin, has been remanded on charges of murdering David Kato on 26th January, 2011 at the deceased’s house at Bukasa village, Kyetume in Mukono district.

Nsubuga was netted on Wednesday 02 February by Mukono police following a tip off by his uncle about his whereabouts. He had been hiding at Nakabago. Nsubuga has been remanded to Luzira prison until 17th of March 2011 when the case will again come up for mention...¨  The Daily Monitor,  HERE

The murder case of slain gay rights activist David Kato has been postponed for the second time to 17 March 2011. Executive Director for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Frank Mugisha told Behind the Mask that the case was mentioned in court and postponed without a hearing, leaving them to guess that the state needs to investigate further.

“I am however kind of concerned about the delay but then maybe they need time to properly investigate and get more evidence regarding this case," Mugisha said.

During the first court appearance suspected perpetrator Sydney Alias Enoch Nsubuga was remanded in custody after the case of the Republic of Uganda vs. Nsubuga Sydney Alias Enoch was presented by the prosecutor before Grade II Magistrate, Nabbasa Ruth who called for the adjournment...¨ Behind the Mask, HERE

¨The European Parliament recently issued a statement calling on authorities to carry out an in-depth and impartial investigation including "individuals who publicly called for the killing of David Kato, as well as their organisations, role and funding." The European Parliament HERE

·  Thanks to African Activist, sidebar
·  Thanks to Behind The Mask, sidebar
·  Thanks to The Daily Monitor, Uganda

Special thanks to The Rt. Reverend Christopher Ssenyonjo, Spiritual Counselor to the LGBTI Community of Uganda