Not so subtle call to kill gays.

Yes. In Ghana, apparently, it is okay for a Member of Parliament to not so subtly hint that gay Ghanaians should be killed. And, not by the law, as dear David Bahati suggested, but by the crudest of methods. Mob justice.

Of course Bahati is a Christian who does not believe in 'Mob justice'. But, what of judicial hanging.. that is another issue... LOL

The MP from Ghana believes bluntly, that he can call in a more subtle way, for 'death to the homosexual' and through lynching by the general public. Uh, I know, for those who do know that we homos are a minority, I have to clarify that it is 'death to the homosexual suspect'.... because, a suspected homosexual is not a homosexual... LOL, the tar brush.

For one who is not used to this, it is dear old 'lynching' where a member of the public is quickly declared a menace to society, and, on evidence of the court of public opinion, is killed. There and then. By the enraged members of public.

Of course, you can start pointing at the glaring holes in that logic, but, this member of Ghana's parliament sees it fit. He believes that homosexuality is a foreign import... , and Ghana as a Christian (yep, another 'foreign' import) nation, cannot accept it. So, homosexuals should be lynched.

Hey, you are thinking, this is June 2011. Surely gug has gone off his usually stupid brains? No, friend. I am so not joking... Here are excerpts from the article.

A senior member of Parliament has warned that the homosexual community in Ghana may soon be at the receiving end of mounting public anger in the form of physical attacks and outright death if they do not stop what he calls their evil deeds.
The NDC MP for Shai Osu Doku, Hon David Tetteh Assuming, said he is disgusted at the campaigns being led by respected senior citizens seeking respect and tolerance for gay and lesbian rights.
In an interview with Citi News' Parliamentary Correspondent, Richard Sky, Hon. Assuming said homosexuals operating in the country may have to relocate outside Ghana before the growing public outrage against them degenerates into systematic moves to eliminate them one after the other.
"You cannot trace this act to any of the settings in Ghana. So this is foreign and I am I saying that Ghanaians cherish our culture a lot so for anybody to adulterate the cultural setting in Ghana as far as this act is concerned, I have the fear that people could take the law into their hands in future and deal with this people drastically.
"We have been seeing the situation where people take the law into their hands to lynch armed robbers. They call it mob action. And so since this has been happening and the law cannot take hold of this people, then I believe that the same thing could be directed to them".
"So I am sending a sign to these people that they will not have it easy in this country. They can leave here and go to other places to practice that. But in this country, I believe that they are treading on dangerous grounds and they could face lynching in future" he noted.
The Legislator said issues of human rights cannot justify the practice of homosexuality in Ghana, which he according to him, could incur the wrath of God on a "God-fearing nation" like Ghana.
"Being a God-fearing nation and a God-fearing people, let us not joke with this issue and let us not talk about any issue of human rights. This is uncultured, anti-Ghanaian and if care is not taken, these people will face a very tough time in future" he noted.
He said the excuse that Ghana's laws are not very clear on what constitutes homosexuality and the sanctions that should be meted out to such offenders was a non-starter, since no law is framed in a straightjacket.
"There is no law that is water-tight in this country. In every law, there could be some loopholes. But this is not the case where somebody will hide to commit this act. No matter what law we have in place, this one is an unwritten law. This act is abominable, it is not practised in Ghana and anybody who tries to introduce it in this country will not succeed. It has started in Kenya where people are being lynched".
Hon. Assuming called on the Police to be more proactive in raiding suspected homosexual joints, believed to be dotted across the country.

And, yes. He is a Seniour Member of Parliament.

And, for journalistic ethics, the editors felt that that call was very ok to publish... LOL. Nothing less or more than a call for some Ghanaian citizens to be killed extra judicially, simply because they are suspected of being gay. Witchhunt, anyone?

The many deities help Mama Africa and her gay sons and daughters in Ghana.

gug

Ugandan 'leadership'

Uganda can lead....

For example, here are some Croatians who want gay Croatians killed. Just like David Kato was killed in Uganda, after publication of his photo, to have him hanged.

Yes, weirdos are not only Ugandan.

But, the really sick ones...

OK, those who kill us for what we are. Simply because we offend their sense of 'right' with the world. Gosh,.. this is illness. Here is a report from South Africa.

A South African lesbian has described how she was repeatedly stabbed by a stranger in the latest of a spate of homophobic attacks against women in the country. Nxolo Nkosana was walking home with her girlfriend when a man came up behind her yelling abuse.
He threw an empty bottle at Nkosana then knifed her four times in the back, leaving her in a pool of blood. She was taken to hospital to receive life-saving surgery. Her attacker is still at large.
Activists have demanded tougher action against homophobic violence in South Africa, including so-called "corrective rape", in which men rape lesbians to "turn them straight". In April, a 24-year-old member of a lesbian rights group was stoned to death after an apparent gang rape. In a similar attack three years ago another activist, international footballer Eudy Simelane, was sexually assaulted and killed.
Nkosana, 23, was on her way home one evening last month with her 21-year-old partner, Sindiswa Mannivel, when two young men approached them in the Crossroads township, Cape Town.

Not very endearing reading.

But, life is tough. Really tough.

Remember Stephen Langa? The guy who brought the 3 Americans to Uganda to teach Ugandans about a new and current and pressing danger... homosexuality.

Well, he still is. And, here he is, talking about another kind of 'colonialism'

Meanwhile, some African leaders blame Clinton for a different type of colonialism—imposing Western beliefs about sexual orientations that their countries oppose. Stephen Langa, executive director of a Uganda-based family ministry, said that African Christians view homosexuality as a sin, and many cultures in Africa abhor the practice, but the United States has arm-twisted and blackmailed some African leaders into accepting it.
Langa said that last year the United States wanted the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission to receive UN accreditation but did not have the votes. Then, Langa said, the United States bypassed standard procedures, intimidated African delegates who opposed the accreditation, and got its way.
In Uganda, Langa said incidents of homosexuality among students were few until five years ago. That's when Western governments and international organizations such as UNICEF entered schools to promote homosexuality among teens. Langa noted the teachings completely disregarded Ugandan laws and cultural practices that prohibit such behavior.

Its kind of hard to talk to people like Langa. They are supposedly good Christians. And, they are so convinced that they know what is the best for everyone else that they will always continue to peddle that position. And, of course paint us the darkest black that they can.

Poor guys.... LOL,

You have to learn to pity them, 'other than tear your hair out, wondering what you did for them to so honestly hate you completely.... LOL

gug

Messing up my world....

I woke up to a beautiful bright morning.

And, if I was the type to start pulling my hair, I would be doing so now.

But, why start screaming of the things that I cannot change? They are many, and so is my wish list, new every morning that. So, the power is gone, when I have only one battery, and a ton of work.  OK, the internet is almost, but not quiet, down.

Not quiet, because some things work. And so am I. Not realy into grabbing the beauty of the day by the horns. But, I am at least able to write a poem, and to write a few things.

Was this article that I stumbled across. From the Mail and Guardian of South Africa. Changing the language of Prejudice. A deeply thoughtful article, of the challenges of logical thought, when the leaders, our leaders, are determined to play to the illogic of un-thought. When they are determined to roll back the course of time, return to the depth of dark ages, for some perceived political good. And, by sheer weight of their charisma, they carry the people with them.

Yeah, that is what my poem is about. But, that is not ready for the world to see. Instead, I will sing the praises of this thought.

South Africa has been referred to as the global capital of rape. More recently we've become the international headliner for "corrective rape", which refers to the rape of a lesbian purportedly as a means of "correcting" her sexual orientation or gender identity.
….
I cannot think that any rapist seriously holds the "belief" that a violent attack will change a person's sexuality. The term subtly reinforces this myth and diverts attention from the fact that sexuality and gender cannot be "corrected". This misconceived "explanation" disguises vicious homophobia and misogyny. The disproportionate media focus on the images of the broken bodies of lesbians doesn't take us any closer to the actual reasons for these crimes.
"Corrective rape" should be understood and responded to within the broader context of rampant violence against women and the concomitant normalisation of rape. It occurs in a social system that prescribes heterosexuality as the only acceptable form of sexuality. Lesbians are raped because they choose not to assume the prescribed feminine stereotype.
Such rapes are part of the scheme that punishes women whose skirts are "too short" (recall the woman assaulted at Johannesburg's Noord Street taxi rank) or who wear pants (a woman's house was burned down in KwaZulu-Natal). The common denominator is that people who dare operate outside of the terms and conditions of patriarchy are disciplined.

Indeed. I love the way that whole mess is explained, in other that the usual 'only LGBT narrow lense.

Rape is made permissible by sexist and homophobic discourses. To dismantle these master narratives that prejudice women and stigmatise lesbian, gay and transgender people means confronting both the language and the messengers. From the homophobic or misogynist dinner-table joke to the sexual "banter" of our political leaders, the language that underpins gender oppression needs to be resisted. Language and action are mutually reinforcing.

Eradicating the language of prejudice requires that we actively attach new social meanings to sex, sexuality and gender. Advancing the constitutional values of equality, dignity and protection of diversity is key to this process. These inspire a common language of humanity which is compelling because it is antithetical to apartheid discrimination. If we collectively and consciously give social currency to these values we will develop a shared ethic of social inclusion.

But the opposite has been happening -- racial and gender intolerance has become the lingua franca of leading politicians. Progressive post-apartheid legislation and jurisprudence that uphold the rights of women and sexual minorities are repudiated in the dominant political discourse.

….

The article continues, examining the current rape of the South African constitution, by those who believe it should be rolled back, made, not the stellar document protecting the rights of ALL South Africans, including the most despised, to one that protects SOME South Africans.... excluding, of course, the lower tier citizens.

It is a powerful piece, that article. And, even when I cannot get online to post, I will still praise it, off line!

There is when she points out to what is actually happening on the ground, which makes me shudder, the realities of todays South Africa

At home, offences related to gender oppression appear to have no impact on people's rise to political power. Apart from the obvious examples of President Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema, the ANC Youth League leader, homophobic hate speech gets rewarded with ambassadorial status, as Jon Qwelane's promotion demonstrates.

….

and, the resounding conclusion.

As veteran politician Kader Asmal recently argued about racism, "The answer to such crude and vulgar chau­vinism isn't the Equality Court, important as it is, but a public opinion that will drive out from public life those who perpetuate such exclusionary views, incompatible with the spirit of the Constitution." This applies equally to chauvinism of a sexual and gendered nature.

An environment that enables sexual violence germinates in sexist and homophobic jokes and hate speech, and finds full form in raping those who don't conform. The sooner we join these dots, the quicker we will face up to our complicity and that of our leaders in gender violence.

Yes, Melanie Judge. Beautifully articulated.

And, thanks for making my day beautiful. Even when there are so many obvious constraints to my enjoyment of the same.

gug

A Wet Sunday Afternoon

I hate black outs. But, I live in Uganda. They are simply not optional.

So, to 'guard' against power outages... multiple batteries, and the phone number of 'Umeme' the utility company.... and of course, money for the quicker, more versatile 'kamyufu'.... the guy who will put it to rights in seconds, when the electricity company will take the requisite number of days working through their burecracy.... while I desperately need to get back onto the net.

Yeah, I know. It is supposedly illegal... but, this is Uganda.

Ever thought of the hillarity of the President vowing to wipe out corruption and then appointing Amama Mbabazi as the new Prime Minister?

Am just jumping onto the net after a 'black out'... my batteries and everything else was off. Gosh... I am an addict. Just worked out that a considerable part of my monthly income fuels this particular addiction.

----

Gosh.

I sit down, and dive into the bowels of cyber... and, it is like I have been missing food, or drink, or something... LOL, not just a mere few hours from the internet. How did I ever survive without it before?

Just been reading up about the dude who came out. He is on a suicidal run, and, though I understand, I am kind of worried. Things are not done this way! He is informing everyone, now, now, now. Gosh. A family kangaroo court is on the way for him. So, why is he doing it? Well, let me say, once upon a time, I was thinking like he is.... damn the consequences.

And, the Bahati's kill the gay bill? Well, it is inspiring people to write about it.

Yep, I was informed of the same from an email in my ebox... and, I have not read the book... but, well, why not point out that it is there? Here are the links... maybe someone will tell me what it is like.... Uh, am ducking some responsibilities.. let me just say that I am also a lazy person?!!! Here is the link, Fragments of a Crooked Mirror. Promotion on Youtube, Amazon...

Now, rain has decided to come, and, I was so looking forwards to a party.... Gosh!

Uh, let me jump out of cyber!

All the best

gug

Miscellaneous issues.....

When am kind of swamped with other things, I tend to neglect things that I love doing.

Like blogging of course.

But, that is not going to be like so always. Am pulled back.

Now, weather here is very, very dull. Grey skies, wet, a little sluggish wind. And, I am feeling like it is shinny and bright inside. Lots of work to do, lots more. But, some work finished. And, it is the weekend.

I am glad to observe that the gay Ugandan community is coming to grips with our kuchuness. Case in point, one guy, who I didnt know much about, decided for his birthday to come out. Did it on Facebook...... sending messages to his contacts... and, writing himself a poem. And then, don't know how the NTV guys picked him up, but, they did.... and, the dude went on a Ugandan TV..... gosh.

I wonder what Ssempa thought of the guy? And, I believe the dude is a Pentecostal Christian.... LOL... Tough times ahead? But, why not? Taking the bull of our people hate by the horns is sometimes what we should do. Of course there is going to be backlash... comments on his facebook page were not very encouraging. Eh, Ugandans remain deeply homophobic, and ignorant. But, why not be happy for one guy who does what we all want to do....!

And, we have some special people coming to stand up for us.... The former presidents of Botswana, and Zambia. Kaunda!

Gosh. Here is the link. Champions of an HIV Free Generation. Well, they have decided to tackle Africa's forgotten populations. And, dude, they do have the clout! I mean, they can force some people to listen.

And, the Ghana saga, where the Ghana AIDS Commission came out trying to play both sides... well, apparently, the Vice President knows what to say. At least. I wonder whether he believes what he is saying? The Commission is just there to pay lip service.

Personally, I believe that an ally who doesnt understand that I am equal to them is just a condescending idiot. I may use them, but, the alliance is worthless. A marriage of convenience..... and if, when they show their true colours, they deserve my condemnation.... Yes, I do believe that I am equal to you, heterosexual person.... no reason for me to believe otherwise. Period.

Here is what the Vice President of Ghana said... and, believe it or not, he did. I wonder, this in a country where the beginnings of a gay panic was manifest?

"But there are new challenges. Statistics on MSM (Men who have sex with Men) are unreliable or generally unavailable.
"Cultural hostility to this group makes most unwilling to disclose this sexual orientation. But rough estimates put prevalence in this group at also about 25 per cent."
Vice President Mahama notes that this is much higher than the national average and "we need to deal with it especially because it is estimated that 65 per cent of MSM are bisexual, and could create multidirectional spread".

What is suspicious is the fact that he was going to New York for the high level HIV meeting... so, maybe it was just talk... Hey, you don't look a gift horse in the teeth? I do.. suspicion is part of my blessings

OK, someone has contacted me... complaining about me not opening this email box...

OK, I was not. But, am going to.

But, don't expect me to be able to deal with the mountain that has been scaring my return to the ebox here... Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

Gug

Uh, before I go.. the most hilarius headline. The worst homophobes are homosexuals hiding.

Of course, the case of the despicable Rekers is one in point. But, isnt Ssempa just another closeted homosexual? Even kills me to think of him as having the same sexual orientation as moi.... guess have to mention it just to laugh. Yes, the worst homophobes are closeted homos in hiding. And, arent they deceiving themselves.....

Madness in Ghana... Investigation of Homosexuals!!!!!

I dont know what to call this. But....

Well, there are going to be some very red faces. It all happened in Ghana.

Started off as a USAID funded workshop. And, the results, well, let us read the un-edited articles in the newspapers.

8,000 homosexuals in 2 regions; Majority infected with HIV/AIDs

Last Updated: Tuesday, 31 May 2011, 11:19 GMT Previous Page

Thousands of homosexuals in Ghana
 
Eight thousand homosexuals have been registered by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Western and some parts of the Central regions, with majority of them infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. 
They include students in junior and senior high schools (JHS/SHS), the polytechnics and workers. 
This came out at a day's workshop organised in Takoradi Monday for more than 200 health workers drawn from the 17 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Western Region. 
The workshop, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was aimed at training health workers to be abreast of the basic facts about HIV and AIDS, as well as manage post-exposure prophylaxis of blood products and body fluids in the course of their work. 
It also came out that more than 2,900 lesbians and gays had been registered in the two regions in 2008, the figure trippling as of 2010, with most of them testing not only positive for STDs but also for HIV/AIDS after they had undergone voluntary counselling and testing. 
The rise in STDs, including HIV, in the two regions, according to the NGOs, was due to the fact that almost all those registered were bi-sexual, with some having wives and girlfriends. 
That, according to the NGOs, resulted in the rapid spread of STDs, including HIV/AIDS. 
In his address, the Western Regional HIV and AIDS Focal Person, Dr Ronald Sowah, charged health workers in the region not to discriminate against homosexuals when they visit the various health facilities with health complications for treatment. 
"Dispense health services to them without prejudice because it is their fundamental human right to be taken care of when they are sick," he said. 

Ok. That was the first article. The rest of the article shows that it was a conference of sorts. And, the reporter just came up with interesting headlines.

So, what follows is this.

Muslims petition government over growing rate of homosexuals

Last Updated: Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 0:22 GMT Previous Page
Muslim leaders in the Western region have raised concerns about the growing rate of homosexuality in the region warning that the situation if not checked could prove very costly for the nation.
The muslim leaders demonstrated against government over the matter last year, urging authorities to ensure that the situation is brought under control.
A leader of the group Sheikh Abdul Aziz told Joy FM, the lactions of the homosexuals is destroying the community.
He said the region is in crisis as they are defying the manner Allah created man.
He expressed disappointment that government failed to deal with their petition last year when the issue was raised, stressing that it is a very crucial issue that must not be swept under the carpet.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the muslim group will do its best to ensure the sexual act is brought to an end.
To him, if their forefathers had practiced homosexuality, there will not have been any human being left in the country and that such an act forced God to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
He said "we don't want Almighty Allah to destroy Ghana, we don't want Almighty Allah to destroy Africa [that is why we are fighting]. We will do our best in this battle and we know that we will survive in this battle. Insha Allah."
The call of the group comes after a gay mathematics teacher of the Adisadel College in Cape Coast was arrested on Monday for sodomising one of the students.
There have been reports of a growing rate of homosexuals in the country among who sexually transmitted diseases are growing.
But the focal person of HIV/AIDS in the Western region Dr. Sowah, has urged authorities to be cautious in their approach towards solving the situation.
He said even though homosexuality is illegal, it is still widely practiced secretly by many and that it was time for stakeholders to consider other options in dealing with the situation.
Explaining why HIV/AIDS is growing among homosexuals, Dr. Sowah said the "inner canal (of the anus) was actually not meant for sex," adding, during a sexual act there are lacerations in the area which could cause bleeding and act as an entry point for sexually transmitted diseases.
He therefore stated that the general pubic needs to be educated on the dangers related to homosexuality.
He further revealed that some people who indulge in the act are bisexuals and may infect people from both sides with sexually transmitted diseases and worsen the crises.
Dr. Sowah reiterated that through education such people will know and understand the problems that can increase the transmission of STDs.
"No amount of laws is going to change anything. What we need to do now is to intensify education about the dangers associated with practice and then hope that people will change the behaviours," he stated.

That was on the next day, yes?

Dont know whether the report of the university prof was just coincidental, but, here is the third report

BNI investigates homosexuality in Western, Central regions

Last Updated: Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 15:70 GMT Previous Page

There are thousands of homosexuals in Ghana  
 
The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has begun investigations into the growing rate of homosexuality in the Western and Central regions, Western Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo has revealed.
According to the minister, there is the need for a thorough investigation into what he terms a "social canker" which has contributed to the growing rate of HIV/AIDS in the country.
About eight thousand homosexuals were registered by non-governmental organization (NGOs) at a day's workshop in the Western and some parts of the Central regions after they (homosexuals) underwent voluntary counseling and testing with majority of them infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS.
The workshop, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at training health workers to be abreast with the basic facts about HIV and AIDS also revealed that, the homosexuals included students in junior and senior high schools, polytechnics and workers.
The growing rate of homosexuals in the country has resulted in the tripling of sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV and AIDS.
Mr Paul Evans Aidoo revealed on Adom FM on Wednesday that, even though homosexuality is illegal, it is still widely practiced secretly which makes it very difficult to arrest the culprits.
He said it is very important for the homosexuals to be identified, especially those infected with STDs to control the spread.
The Western Regional Minister added that the BNI is working closely with the police, Ghana Health Service and the NGO to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Mr. Aidoo stressed the need for more education on the dangers of homosexuality in the country. 

And, what, pray, is the BNI? Transpires that it is the Ghana Intelligence Service. Or something like that... LOL

Yes, this is a true story... Happening in Ghana as of now.

And, dare to remember that it started off as at a seminar for health workers? I dare say there are going to be some very fearful gay Ghanaians.


gug

Reparative Therapy.

Gosh.

Is there anything as insanely destructive, as insanely.....

Is there any deity in the blue skies above me?

If there is....

God in heaven....

OK.

Here is the story. I have just read it, and couldnt stomach my repugnance. OK, if you are more into the newspaper style articles, here is the CNN one. Same story.

Here is a Rekers of the Rentboy story... the child who made Rekers reputation, and took his own life.

In Uganda, Reker is Stephen Langa. These are the things he is teaching. He has his practice on Ggaba road.....

Oh, deities!

Read that story.

gug

HIV Prevention....

Call it what it is.... it is Homophobia.

Gosh. Australians happen to be very direct.... (Yes, I know, we Africans are known for our indirectness. Circumloculation. It is rude to be direct, we are taught, then find that in business and the other spheres...., but let us not go into that.)

And, I am one dude who is making my reputation for not biting my tongue where it is appropriate!!!

Anyway, here was a case of Straight Talk vs Morals. And, at first, the Morals seemed to have triumphed... then the Straight Talk was like... you don't hide a disease, and, especially HIV.

Safe sex advocates claimed a victory over Australia's Christian lobby on Wednesday when their HIV campaign posters featuring two men hugging were reinstated at bus stops after an intense online backlash.
The black and white posters, in which one man has his arm draped across his partner's chest and is holding a condom, are part of the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities "Rip and Roll" campaign promoting condom use.
The ads were withdrawn by billboard company Adshel after it received a string of complaints, but the company later reversed this decision, saying it had unwittingly been targeted by the Australian Christian Lobby.
"This has led us to review our decision to remove the campaign and we will therefore reinstate the campaign with immediate effect," Adshel chief executive Steve McCarthy said in a statement.

And, why did the complainers complain? Here it is, from the horse's mouth.

Australian Christian Lobby Queensland director Wendy Francis said she had personally complained about the ads because she had objected to what she said was the sexual nature of the posters.
"They show two young homosexual men in some sort of act of foreplay," she said. "It's talking about a sexual act and I don't think that's appropriate for the general public."

Some kind of foreplay. Two fully clothed men, hugging. One holding a condom. Some kind of foreplay indeed.

Why do people insist on pushing their narrow view of morality down others throats, even to the detriment of something as important as health? Yes, they do.

So, here is the summation.

But Queensland State Treasurer Andrew Fraser rejected her comments.
"Check the calendar, it's 2011," he said. "I think we should call it for what it is and this is basic homophobia."

 

Uh, straight and to the point. Call it what it is. Homophobia.

Told you, in this week, the 30th year of HIV, one cannot escape HIV.... Nor should we.

Tired of the same old scary HIV prevention message? Well, here is a nifty fun one. And, dude..., I think I do love the friendlier approach! I am not sure that it works, but, I like it!

With an oversized lollipop in his pants pocket and a pink gift bag full of condoms and lubrication, Josh Newbury has perfected the art of the safe-sex soft sell.
On the eve of this weekend's Utah Pride Festival, the HIV prevention specialist for the Utah AIDS Foundation has marshaled volunteers, called the G-Force, to blanket two gay bars with safe-sex kits. Newbury encourages the three volunteers— who are dressed in rainbow colors, belts and suspenders in honor of Pride — to be friendly, frisky and to have fun.
Fear has no place in today's HIV-prevention work.
So when Newbury approaches a man who says he doesn't need condoms because he doesn't plan to have sex, the 24-year-old sounds worried instead of glad: "Really? Why? It's not in the stars?" He puts the kit back in his bag and says, "All right, I've got them if you need them."
Then he pulls out the lollipop to ease the tension.
What's missing is any clinical talk of the ways HIV is spread or that it's incurable.
"It's almost a re-branding," Newbury says of the approach before the team heads to Club Jam in Salt Lake City. "For 30 years, HIV has been talked about in really scary ways. ... People have tuned out."

Ok, ok. I have already clicked the 'like' button, ..... don't seem to have any options for multiple clicks. So I will leave it at that.....

Oh, in Uganda...

Ahem. Ahem..... We don't really want to spread homosexuality... do we? I mean.... anything like this will be striken down by the moralists as 'spreading homosexuality', of course.

But, we do still have huge, high HIV rates, don't we? Cant we spice up the message to make it more fun? Of course we can.....!

Have a fabulous day!

gug

30 years of HIV, AIDS

One of those days.

In-tray full. Out tray empty. And, I just cannot bring myself to do any damn little thing. So, I stare at the in tray, and the mountain gets higher, and higher, in my mind....

I know. The problem is that somehow, I had forgotten to mind myself. So, I have to take the time off. And do a bit of introspection, and looking around, and see what has been happening in the 'other' world.

Going thru the news, I cannot escape the 30 year anniversary of AIDS. Of HIV.

Yes, of course I do know its significance for the gay community. But, there is more to HIV than the gay community. This CNN opinion piece reminded me of the realities of our very unequal world. As I swim through life, I do appreciate how blessed as I am, compared to other people. But, the mother with child who stopped me yesterday on the streets of Kampala, begging for 'transport' home..., and I declined.... we swim through this need, and, we become blind, for the apparently more pressing urgency of our problems.

Yes. The world is so big, and so small.

I will never forget the day a beggar stopped me on the streets of Washington DC. I looked at the guy, and wanted to say, I come from Kampala, Uganda, and you are begging for a 'quarter' from me?!!!

Yeah, we just fail to see others pain.

But, in the story of AIDS are somethings, success stories which are eye catching, and teach that something can be done. Indeed, something can be done even when things are tough. Here is the meteoric blazing story of Brazil and AIDS. Gosh, I am floured!

Guess, the real story there is that it is not the abundance of money, of resources which will control the problem. Any real problem. And, we, as humans, stumble at the most cruel of our infirmities. Our will. Our will to accomplish that which we can, are able, and are supremely capable of achieving. Gosh, yes, Brazil is the real success story. Not stupid Uganda. Not the over politicised success that Uganda was, and then stumbled, thinking that the ideology of religion could beat hard science, and the ideology of politics.....

Gosh. OK, deep breath in, and out, in, and out, in, and out.

And, fittingly, here is news from South Africa. I think, of all countries in Africa, SA should have been the one to emulate the example of Brazil. Disaster struck when President Mbeki was suckered into the AIDS Denialist camp. And, now, the country hosts one of the fastest growing epidemics. Here is some expert commentary.

the world has "a much fuller toolkit to deal with HIV prevention than a year ago", according to Professor Salim Abdool Karim. Abdool Karim, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, was addressing a meeting of top scientists at a meeting of the Centre for the AIDS programme of Research in SA (Caprisa) in Durban yesterday.

Professor Abdool Karim said five recent research results had the potential to transform HIV/AIDS prevention if they could be translated into policy.
In the latest trial of couples where one partner was HIV positive and the other negative, if the HIV positive partner was on antiretroviral medication, their partner was protected from infection by a massive 96 percent.
Male circumcision offered 54 percent protection from HIV, while a study of gay men found that an ARV called Truvada taken before sex could prevent HIV by 44 percent.
A trial in Tanzania found that if sexually transmitted infections were treated, this reduced HIV transmission by 42 percent.
Finally, a year ago Caprisa found that a vaginal gel containing the ARV tenofovir could reduce HIV infection by 39 percent.
"How do we go forward to actually change the course of the epidemic at a community level, using these results?"

Indeed, the news is not so bad, after all. Human resilience is a factor that we always have to consider.

How do these ground breaking efforts become translated into Health? No, it is not the money alone. It is the will to be more than just the money. And, yes, we do have it.

gug

Martyrs Day in Uganda....

In Malawi, they are protesting a 'Gay Workshop'....

LOL, the problems of advocacy in Africa!

I mean, the media is usually ignorant of gay African issues. So, they demonise us and write false things about us, and of course, call on the governments to 'Hang Them'. So, it is very, very important to present gay issues to the media. To literally teach reporters, even those who are homophobic, the difference between blind, ignorant homophobia, and some sense between the head.

So, the gay people in Malawi try to educate journalists.... and, this education process is branded 'promotion of homosexuality'.... reminds you of some other country? Yes, in Uganda, any teaching of sexuality that is branded 'promotion of homosexuality' if it has any inkling of homosexual sex. No, I am not kidding you. Just search this blog the article on UNICEF and the Teenage Toolkit. 'UNICEF promotes Homosexuality' my foot!

Reminds me of when we were in the Parliamentary Committee last month, when the bill was having public hearings. MP Benson Obua-Ogwal derisively told us that he was once in the UN, and that they were promoting homosexuality. The UNAIDS country rep, a Nigerian, was at the hearings. He was incensed. An elderly, soft spoken gentleman, he stood in that hostile atmosphere and stated that he had been in the UN system for 26 years, and he was yet to see any 'promotion of homosexuality' by the UN. He spoke quietly, but, I don't doubt his anger. Gosh, I was incensed on the sides, where I was, anonymous as usual! The Bahati bill has always, and will always remain pushed on rumours, and innuendos. No facts, no figures, just.... 'they recruit', 'they are a danger to the traditional family'....!!!

OK, that is spoiling my day.

Here is the story about Malawians demonstrating against a 'Gay Seminar'

One of the organisers of the demonstrations Ibrahim Mtendere told Malawi Voice that they want to deliver a petition to CHRR Executive Director Undule Mwakasungula and Cedep's Gift Trapence summarising their disproval of the workshop.
"Today it's the media being invited for this workshop, which we hear they are pocketing Mk40, 000 seating allowance, tomorrow it will be our MPs then chiefs, end results will be government being forced to accept this.
"And we will be delivering a petition to Mr. Mwakasungula to let him know that we are entirely in disagreement with these so called gay rights, and he is bound to mislead the country," said Mtendere.
Another organiser Shadrick Kamwendo said they fear government would lose in its anti gay divide with the media on CHRR and Cedep side.
"With religious leaders greatly divided over the matter and the media on their side, government would be squeezed to a corner in its anti gay drive. And our main fear is that Malawi will embrace gay rights against the wishes of us common people," said Kamwendo.

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Uh, it is Martyrs day in Uganda.

We celebrate the Ugandan Martyrs. Christians killed by the Kabaka for daring to defy his sexual advances... at least that is the official Ugandan version. So, it is officially gay bashing day in Uganda.... and a public holiday. I would like to think of it as an African leader resisting the challenge to his authority which would ultimately lead to the colonisation of his kingdom..... LOL,. I will be labelled a 'revisionary', by our President, who likes to go on pet gay bashing at around this time... and remind the Baganda that the bisexual Kabaka was a Muganda.... LOL

We do have our own martyr. David Kato Kisuule.

Maybe we can reclaim the day for ourselves.

Have a beautiful day.

gug

Its a Beautiful Day!

Music on the mind.

Playing actually. And, as it is so cold, am wrapped up, in bed.... LOL. But, working some. When it is possible, then, why not?

Going through emails. And, thinking, this war against gay people, it could well have ended, long ago, if it was not that we gay people are real people, wrapped up in real world problems.... and that we can love, and hate, just like the others.

I remember, near the time that the bill was almost debated in parliament, I saw a circular written by Stephen Langa, you know, the guy who brought the 3 americans to Uganda to teach about the Homosexual Agenda.... He is the true ideologue in the anti-gay movement in Uganda.

Anyway, he wrote a circular to his network of friends, urging them to write to their member of parliament in Uganda, urging them to have the bill become law....

Well, I do realise that, in the fight against the bill, there was a side that was as impassioned for, as I was against.

Yet, I wonder, why would Stephen Langa want gug killed?

Well, of course I am supposed to be 'recruiting' and maybe that deserves prison for me.....

Anyway, I am still alive, and will have to go on fighting his prejudice. Because, frankly, I don't think I am going to convince him that am a human being who should not be punished for loving another human being.

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Emails call....

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Just a thought. Being in a constant state of war, what is that costing me?

I mean, personally? How is it affecting me?

Maybe I just don't want to know.

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The story about the SA ambassador in Uganda did get into the Ugandan papers... of course, you guessed right, it had to be the Monitor. I am getting to love those guys' gumption. The new vision is just... well, so much government toilet paper....

And, last, kuddos to the guys and girls in Illinois... the ones celebrating Civil Unions.

Those who demonise and vilify us should take note that they fight that most ancient of forces. LOVE.

They met as 8-year-old girls playing on the same Oak Park softball team, and again at a friend's wedding in their early 20s.
Meta Kroker and Joy Christopher have been together ever since.
Wednesday morning, Kroker and Christopher stood in line with 74 other gay and lesbian couples at the Cook County Clerk's office on the day Illinois' new law allowing civil unions took effect.
There were cheers, applause, hugs and tears — even though the couples were there only to pick up their licenses. Under the state's Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, the unions cannot take place until today, when dozens of people are expected to participate in a mass ceremony in Millennium Park.
"I'm overwhelmed," said Kroker, 34, a travel agent. "I started crying, because the person behind the clerk's counter also started crying after the first license was processed. It's all very emotional."

With these glad couples, I affirm the following

"We've been ostracized and relegated to the bottom rung of society," said Lakeesha Harris, 36, of Chicago, who stood in line with her partner, Janean Watkins. "I feel like this is some sort of justice for us, for our family. I'm so grateful. I'm so thankful."

Yes. That was some sort of justice.

And, I applaud and affirm them. Even from homophobic Uganda.

But, most of all, to these most patient of people, for the whole of the human race, on behalf of all of us humans, I affirm that they have fought and won a most important battle... that of affirming that other humans are not better than themselves. That though looked down on by the rest of the community, of society, they have enough self esteem to beat the overwhelming odds, to stand up and be counted as human beings. Even gay human beings.

What a beautiful morning it is!

gug

Homophobic Ambasaddor....

I am feeling cold.

Gosh, it is real cold where I am. My fingers are freezing. Had never known it can be a fact that the fingers can be so cold that typing is a problem.

OK, it is cold, but, something else makes me feel real cold. The South African Ambassador to Uganda is a homophobe?!!!!! Gosh in heaven.

Hmmmmm, Have I blogged about it here before? I think I must have.... but didnt follow it as well as I should. Competing priorities, I guess.

A ruling of hate speech for a derogatory article by South Africa's ambassador to Uganda, Jon Qwelane, was a "personal matter" that he would have to deal with, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation said on Tuesday.
"Qwelane did the article in his personal capacity before his appointment [as ambassador]. The ruling today is a personal matter he will have to deal with," said spokesman Clayson Monyela.
"We have taken notes of the pronouncement and decision of the court. We respect the decision. The SA Constitution is very clear on the rights of gays and lesbians...we will defend their rights in this country," he said.
Qwelane, a former Sunday Sun columnist, was found guilty of hate speech by the Johannesburg Equality Court on Tuesday.
The court found that an article and cartoon in his column amounted to hate speech, propagating hatred and harm.
As a result of his work, homosexuals had experienced emotional pain and suffering.
The article was published in the newspaper on July 20 2008, under the headline: "Call me names, but gay is NOT okay." The cartoon equated same sex relationships with bestiality.
In the article Qwelane refused to withdraw or apologise for his views. He also refused to write a letter to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) explaining his thoughts.

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OK, maybe I should not be feeling so cold.

South africa.... well, the legislative framework for freedom is in place. But, by all accounts, many south Africans are violently homophobic.

Good news, Moses Mworeko got asylum in the US. Good for him. I guess I have written some about him on this blog. Good for him.

Nope. I don't want to leave my beautiful terrible country. LOL... I still don't want to leave it. My blessing and curse. But, I do understand why one would want to leave it. But, would I stay if it becomes more dangerous, personally? That is a decision I have to make on a day to day basis. I know, I have to understand that familiarity breeds contempt. Living for so long in a danger I know makes me contemptuous.... So, I should qualify that I don't want to leave Uganda TODAY, but I don't know what my decision will be tomorrow.

Have a lovely day.

gug