The Uganda Martyrs and other things.

A round up, of course.

Lets start with a laugh. The Bahati Scanner is soon to be installed at all major entry ways into Uganda. Want to see what it looks like, what it will do?

No. Sadly, that image is not mine. The person signs it...!
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The Uganda Martyrs. They have been used to justify the genocidal tendencies of Ugandans against gay Ugandans.
Bahhhh! It is a convenient excuse. After all, I am gay, and Ugandan. I was bred, born, grew up and studied in Uganda. I know for fact that the reality of this history was not widespread until recently, when the dear religious leaders saw fit to use it to justify their anger and desire to kill gay Ugandans. A Chrisitian justification of hate.

It may be funny, but for the fact that I dont find it so. I know history is written by the winners. But, I will not justify riots in Uganda that target Ugandans of Indian extraction, because of 'historical grievances'. Shame upon you, Ugandan Christians.

A Solitary Walker had me on that path of reflection. Want to read more about this? It is here.
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Remember the National Prayer Breakfast supposed to be in Washington to which Obama is invited, and will attend? It is organised by the Fellowship. Bahati, Buturo and others are members.
Box Turtle Bulletin reports that, despite reports that he will attend, David Bahati is NOT attending. He has retracted the fact that he said that he would. Interesting, hey? Ho, Bahati phones in and says he is not attending. It is him who had said he would. It was on the Voice of America, and Throckmorton recommends that it is Must see TV. I will talk to my internet provider... (Evil glare...!)

But, there are other Christians who are organising a parallel prayer event. Lutherans. In America. That continent is full of suprises, I must comment. They want to counter the homophobia, the hate that others are apparently preaching in the name of Christ.

Here is the article. And, their suggestions.

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Jim Inhoef, US senator condemns the bill. Seems he was asked for a long while, till, at last? But I dont know US politics that well. What I gather is that he is the US equivalent of David Bahati. But, he condemns the bill. Truth Wins Out is not satisfied....

By the way, what happens if the bill, (text here) does not contain the Death Penalty for Homosexuals like me? It will still be heinious. And, of course i will be arrested for spreading homosexuality on this blog. And for other things. Is life in prison for being gay preferable to outright death penalty? If I was to choose, I would choose Death. And, I am not joking.

Here is a chilling assesment of what is left with the death penalty removed. It is in Bay Windows.

Bahati’s willingness to remove the death penalty suggests that these (OUR) objections might not be falling on deaf ears. That marks a heartening turning point in the fight against the Bill, but it might be premature to call this a victory in and of itself. Even without the death penalty, the legislation has a number of troubling provisions that are receiving far less attention. The Bill prescribes up to three years in prison for anyone who does not report any friends, family members, or total strangers who they suspect of engaging in same-sex activity, and seven years of imprisonment for anyone who "aids, abets, counsels, or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality." The Bill also prohibits the "promotion of homosexuality," including the production or distribution of pro-LGBT media, funding or belonging to a pro-LGBT organization, or even voicing support for LGBT rights, and would punish offenders with five to seven years in prison.

And, this is of particular note. The fact that 'homosexuality' as defined by the bill can be constituted from something as innocent as a 'touch'. The Homosexual Touch.

Although same-sex activity is already punishable with life in prison in Uganda, the Bill would forbid any touching with the intention of homosexuality. It would allow the state to forcibly test LGBT people for HIV. And it claims to withdraw Uganda from any global treaty that recognizes the rights of LGBT people, setting an ominous precedent for the recognition of LGBT rights as human rights. All of this is justified as a bulwark against same-sex marriage and a prohibition against rape and pedophilia -- pointedly ignoring that all of these are already criminalized under existing Ugandan law.

Heinious indeed. Draconian, impossible, cruel. But, Ugandans believe that all these things are necessary in the name of kicking homosexuality out of Uganda. And, that it follows Christian principles.

And, Christians like Ssempa and Bahati tell lies to support the bill. All in the name of Religion and Values.

And then, a thought provoking analysis.

With such strong opposition to the death penalty, it is unclear how often the punishment would actually be used against LGBT people in Uganda. Nevertheless, there are a number of provisions in the Bill that are likely to have immediate and chilling effects across the country. The ban on LGBT organizing would swiftly be used to shut down pro-LGBT groups, who would be unable to appeal the Bill if it passes. The legislation would codify the most dangerous stereotypes about LGBT people into law, legitimizing violence by families, communities, and private actors. Criminalizing intent to commit homosexuality and requiring people to inform on each other would almost certainly lend itself to blackmail, extortion, and false accusations. In countless ways, the Bill gives homophobes every tool they need to arrest and harass LGBT people for any reason whatsoever.

 

Thus far, it has been deeply heartening to see how strongly opponents of the Bill have spoken out against it. Nevertheless, it is troubling to think that this support may wane if the "Kill the Gays Bill" is merely used to blackmail, arrest, torture, and persecute LGBT people instead. With or without the death penalty, this Bill would be one of the most repressive and anti-democratic measures in recent memory, and would make a mockery of the international human rights regime. The true test of our political, religious, and civil society leaders is not whether they oppose the death penalty, but whether they are prepared to insist that LGBT people are entitled to the full range of human rights protections that all people are supposed to enjoy. Anything less than the dismissal of the Bill in its entirety undermines those protections and our commitment to the rights of all people, everywhere.

All people. Everywhere.

I like that. It is not a struggle for Rights. It is a struggle for EQUALITY. That is why I fight.
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Uganda, Africa's most failed state? What about Somalia?... This is from the American Chronicle.

I think that is over board. Curiously, I was recently in Kenya, and was shocked to find that our eastern neighbours believe that Uganda is a failed state. And, they pity us. It was a shocking indictment of the current regime and president. Who celebrated 24 years in power on Tuesday.

Hey, is that Sedition? Maybe. But, cant we speak the truth as others see it? Should we just stick to the Bahati Bill? Let me scurry back into my closet!
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Hey, a meeting calls. Ceaser, et al

Be well


gug