The Anti-gay faction...

First, a friend informs me that I am famous, (or infamous...) as the case maybe. I will be decidedly humble and point out that I am doing nothing big, except write about something that is....

Or, maybe, I am just funneling my underutilisation of time!!!

Anyway, following the debate that is occuring in the US and elsewhere, I have been bemused by the way that the 'Right' in America were burnt by the likes of Ssempa. I am not as expressive as I would like to be. When the anti-gay conference was held in Uganda this year, I listened to those Americans with their theoretical justifications for homophobia. They didnt know what they were doing. They just were not aware. And, I must confess that I was not fully aware... as I am not American anyway. But, one guy who took up that fight was Box Turtle Bulletin. And he did it. Opened the eyes of the American right to what they were actually doing, in the name of God. And he has continued the pressure. Just seen another thoughtful blog post that examines with incredulity what happened. It is an American again, who kind of shines more light on it than I ever would be able to. Here it is.
It sounds so easy, to jet in from America, and come and teach Ugandans the evils of homosexuality. But, they have been burnt. Very deservedly. Know your allies, always.

Checked out one other link. I have been accused of being anti-Christian...... Labels, labels, labels. Sometimes they are very inadequate. I am not a Christian. As to whether I am anti-Christian, that is for you to judge. But, a Christian writes this article and challenges other Christians. The kind of christians that are in Uganda. It is on the Christian Post, so maybe my not being a Christian will not be a log in anyone's eyes..?

Of course that does not excuse my country mates. I still am asking myself, sincerely, how can Ugandans do this? Are they aware of what they are doing?
Ok, maybe I am being naive also. I have grown up in Uganda and I know the depth of homophobia my countrymates hold. But, but, but....! Nsaba Buturo is an economics PhD...! And all the other honourable members of parliament!!!!!
Maybe I just cannot believe one thing, that the parliament of my country is considering a bill that would effectively make it legal for me to die, after due process of course. Truth is, it is something incredible, but so true that I have to pinch myself and say, yes, it is true.

Anyway, the anti-gay faction is in the news again. Pastor Martin Ssempa's Inter-faith Rainbow Coalition against Homosexuality in Uganda. First they thank the MP Bahati for tabling the motion. Apparently, it will go far in dealing with homosexuality in Uganda.
But, they have one bone of contention.
Seems as if the bill will not deal retrospectively with homosexual acts in Uganda. And, they want something to be done about this. They want the President to setup a Commission of Inquiry. If the Pres is not brave enough, well, then let parliament do it. Let them set up a commission of inquiry. So that they investigate the workings of homosexuals at all levels of society in Uganda... including, (the humour is mine of course), gay Uganda blog.... ha ha ha.
No, I dont think it is about us homosexuals. I think that is a continuation of the Pastor Wars. Ssempa was given a bloody nose, last round. And he wants Kayanja to be tarred and smeared in the relative safety of parliament. Didnt I say Ssempa is stupid?... Well, he is, egocentric, opportunistic, and he really hates people. And he does hate his fellow pastor Kayanja. All in the name of God of course. He would like nothing better than seeing him bloodied. As openly as possible. And, of course when I say that it works for us gay Ugandans, it does! At least there is that silver lining to our clouds.
Dont worry about me mentioning it here.... I am homosexual, so, what I say cannot be true, can it? Even when I point to the sins of the men of god.. how can I be truthful when am a self confessed homosexual?

Anyway, what it boils down to is that they would like an official witch-hunt of homosexuals. One that deals with past iniquities, before the new bill soon to become law takes over. Ostentiously it will be to cleanse the country so that we can move on. A final solution indeed!

Ok, I have to crawl into my hole and hide, for now...

Till I get more gossip of course!

gug

Anything to stop the Gay Agenda

That seems to be the wish of some people. Anything that is anti-gay is simply ok.

 

Was thinking of the Langa seminar. He is gearing up the advertisement. And telling lies about me that I would like to point out are not true…!

But, he has big supporters. And big politics. And he has big money. So what if he says we homosexuals in Uganda are well organized, well funded, anti-family monsters who are out to destroy everything that is good and moral in Uganda. Of course I am very, very angry. One shouldn’t have the capacity to tell lies like that without me having the chance for a rebuttal.

But this is Uganda. He can tell the lies. I cannot rebut. I cannot even tell people that he is lying. Remember the case of the suspension of Gaetano, simply because Capital FM hosted us and Gae was positive in his interview of us? None of the pastors and others sermonizing homophobia were arrested. Not even the Mufti was reprimanded for suggesting a Nazi solution to Uganda's homosexuals.

And, there are the issues which will really hurt us. Langa is promising cures for homosexuals in his care. He has been doing this at his place on Gaba Road. And, he has brought in people who are going to dominate the news telling poor parents how bad being gay is, and that there is a cure. And, of course, if you don’t get cured, you are a big time committed homosexual who is so sinful that you don’t want to be cured. Forget Ted Haggard, Senator Craig and the other homosexuals who have lived their lives of ‘cure’.

You can be cured, in the name of … Maybe I shouldn’t name the name.

Ok, I am flustered, angry. But I can do better than this. Let me take it point by point.

 

‘Uganda is under extreme pressure to dicriminalise homosexuality’, Uhhh? A stupid un-truth. Who is putting Uganda under pressure to decriminalize homosexuality? Why should a citizen’s sexual orientation and act of love be criminal, subject to the state’s intervention, criminal law and censorship? Why is it so important to be threatened with life in prison for making love to my lover? Too many questions, ..!

Fact, it should be me who points out the pressure the government is undergoing. But I am more aware of the supreme lack of impact my flailings have. Oh, of course countries do question our human rights credentials when we flail our homosexuals and then look at ourselves and claim we are clean. Are we really clean? Pharisees.

 

And the perennial question, being asked by so many, why are the sexual lives of a few so important, above the misery of the many. Poverty, hunger, corruption, child sacrifice, political repression… We seem to have so many other problems. Am irked that my sexuality becomes such an issue.

 

Legalizing gay marriage. Stupid but true. Check out this timeline. The current President of the country once asserted that there are no homosexuals in Uganda. Long before the Iranian made the statement. In 2005, a constitutional amendment was made banning gay marriage in Uganda, the first country to have that kind of ban written into the constitution. And know what? Us gay Ugandans first came out in August 2007. We literally ‘did not exist’ before that time. When we came out, the anti-gays went amuck. Nsaba Buturo demanding our arrest, Ssempa demonstrating against us, holding church vigils etc. Yes, and outing those of us who came out in masks. Facts. They happened.

It took Nsaba Buturo being reassured that we could exist without being criminal, but by then he had demanded that we are thrown out of the country, the Mufti had demanded that we are marooned on an island, and the Tabliqs had formed the Anti-Gay Squad. And of course, there was the Inter-Faith Rainbow Coalition against homosexuality, spokesman Ssempa.

Someone from Kenya asked me on this blog why this thing was such a big deal in Uganda, as opposed to Kenya. My irritated answer was that it was not us homosexuals who were blowing it up. It is the phobes, the Ssempas, the Nsaba-Buturo’s, the Langa’s who see a chance for political capital to paint us demons. We are literally struggling to cope. And they are so happy that we come out and give them a reason to bash us.

 

Treatment. This issue of treatment. I think I had an article written by a doctor posted here about the view on treatment of homosexuals. Gosh, in this day and age, someone is going ahead to tout cures for homosexuality! Only happens in America, and is exported to Africa.

Fact is, homosexuality is not a disease. But I will be happy to see whether anyone comes up to confront these guys when they present there cures.

My poor country. People believe in miracle cures. Pastors are going around healing, administering electric shocks, showing miraculous healing on TVs. And claiming to cure HIV. It is hard not to understand that people will believe that homosexuality can be cured. Poor gay Ugandans.

About our organization, look at this, ‘He says that several homosexual groups are active in Uganda and are busy recruiting school boys and girls at an alarming rate using a variety of methods with support from within and outside the country, have well trained activists, who have a clear vision, an agenda and are determined to accomplish their objectives.;

 

Recruiting. Recruiting, recruiting. Frankly, I wish I could do the dastardly thing. So that I am not accused of something which am not doing. Langa, why the hell do you accuse us of ‘recruiting’. I know the answer. It is the old, threat to the children. Shame. You being a Christian and telling these old, old scare stories.

 

And, something I find really pathetic. And part of what set me off on this rant. The case that he mentions. “Langa says that Uganda is now under extreme pressure from the same group to de-criminalize homosexuality. This group recently scored a landmark victory in a court case against the state in December 2008.”

The case he cites is a pure civil rights issue. A Ugandan was hauled to police, house broken into, undressed to prove his sex. And he challenged the state. The issue was, you don’t do this to any Ugandan. Period. And, the excuse that you did it because the Ugandan is a homosexual is not good enough.

I remember. Ssempa and his Brown shirts used to picket the court. But he was not there the day the judgement was read.

Langa, showing his true colours, uses this case to illustrate his point. Anything is okay against homosexuals.

I kind of pity the Americans who are coming to preach. Imagine, in their country, being gay is not criminal. But they are coming to impress on poor Ugandans why some Ugandans should be imprisoned for life. Just because they are gay. If there was any justice, these guys should be asked some interesting questions.

A number of commentators have been telling me how they will attend this, praising Langa. Sincerely, I would pity your brains. Only problem is, it is my well being that you threaten. That is my beef with you. And, I will have to fight you, weary me. How sad it is. When I would just rather be left in peace, someone for his own reasons seeks to make money and political capital off my back!

Ok. No more whining. This is a fight that we have to fight. It is thrust on to us. We cannot decline. We simply must fight. Even if it is only to rebut the lies that are told to demonize us.

 

GayUganda

Blessed are the...Persecutors?

By Craig Young - 24th January 2009

Gay US Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson was a speaker at Obama's inauguration last week. However, as a whole, global Anglicanism is still a communion in crisis.

While most of New Zealand Anglicanism is sane and liberal, the same cannot be said for Uganda and Nigeria.

However, Ugandan Anglicans aren't all vile fundamentalists. Former Ugandan Anglican Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo describes gay people as 'oppressed and marginalised.' This straight grandfather has seven children of his own, but he became chair of Integrity Uganda, which supports the rights and human dignity of Ugandan lesbians and gay men. Banned from Ugandan Anglican churches by current Archbishop Henry Orombi, Ssenyonjo has started the Charismatic Church of Uganda as an inclusive alternative. He comes strongly recommended by the saintly former South African Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, himself a strong voice for reason, compassion and inclusion.

Orombi has joined with other social conservative fundamentalist Christians, Muslims and Bahai in an (ironically named) "Interfaith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality." This outfit harrasses progay journalists, and unfortunately has the support of current Ugandan fundamentalist President Yoweri Museveni, scurrilous Ugandan tabloid Red Pepper, and Cabinet "Minister for Ethics and Integrity" James Butero, also known for trying to ban miniskirts and a belief that decriminalising homosexuality would lead to sex with animals.

Fortunately, though, Ugandan journalists are known to criticise this perspective and continue to take risks and support media freedom in this context. The Sexual Minorities Uganda Group speaks up for the rights of Ugandan lesbians and gay men, and Silvia Tamale, a noted Ugandan feminist legal scholar, has published Homosexuality: Perspectives from Uganda (2007) to provide an alternative perspective to fundamentalist hijackers of the Ugandan "Anglican" Church.

Dedicated to Ssempa

Yes, believe me.

I am dedicating this post to Pastor Martin Ssempa. Anti-gay nemesis of Uganda. The man who, even before homosexuality in Uganda was a political hot button and homophobia a vote getter, the man who was obsessed enough to pursue an anti-gay campaign.

I am dedicating it to the 'Inter-Faith Rainbow coalition against Homosexuality in Uganda'. I believe that is the full name. For which Ssempa is the official spokesperson, and Isaac Eyalama the mobiliser.

I dedicate it to all the anti-gay people who have come and debated me in the name of love, which I call hate.

I dedicate it to Kiwewesi. Poor guy, you may find meaning on your journey in life.

I dedicate it to Kimbowa, Tovi, and all members of Pastor Ssempa's Makerere University Community Church, bastion of the fight against homosexuality in Uganda.

Hold,

why should I dedicate something to people who will never, ever read it?

Because, Kimbowa, Tovi, Nevender, when I say you hate me, you do not understand why I say so. When I say you persecute me, you do not understand what I mean by that. You hold your holy books and bring them down, in a passion of holy fury. Hating me, but that hate blinded to believe that it is love.

Well, you do not believe my journey. And I have written bits and pieces of it here, enough to give a few hints. But someone has summarised his journey, his very long journey. One that took years, more than mine has. His struggles and fears, his sexuality and religion.

So, it may be a bit graphical. You are all adults. I dont think my challenge to know a bit of truth about me and my sexuality will embarass you too much. Truth has a cost. Always.

And this truth has a huge cost.

My challenge to you, is that you read of this one man's journey through life.

It is here. A Life of Un-Learning; A Journey to find the Truth

Ok, before I chicken out, I am also dedicating it to a certain, verbose, articulate hater of all things religion, especially Christian... Release that hate, I say. That is, err, you, gug!


Thanks Anthony Venn-Brown. For sharing your story of course.

Hey, seems the doctor put himself on the receiving end!

Homosexuality is a moral disease Tuesday, 30th September, 2008

By Isaac Eyalama

I write in response to an article by Dr. Paul Semugoma titled “Same sex attraction is not a disease,” that was published in The New Vision of September 18. The issue the writer seems to advocate in his article is the acceptance of this vice. But is such behaviour rational, scientifically functional or detrimental to the high level of civilisation that we have achieved?

By claiming their relationships are normal, homosexuals are trying to influence the Government to legally bless their unions. They hope to indoctrinate society to accept it.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “In the biological evolutionary scale, the more complex the species, the longer the offspring is dependent on its mother for survival from the time of birth to maturity.”

Human beings, at the top of the evolutionary scale, require the most time of all species to reach maturity. This increases the duties of parents to their children. The best chance for the successful development of the child into adulthood occurs when both parents are deeply involved throughout the period of child rearing. Hence, marriage lays the foundation for the traditional nuclear family, whose basic constituents are mother, father and a child, and which is the primary unit for ensuring the procreation of human beings and the preservation of their societies.

Scientifically, sex is a means to an end; the end being the propagation of the human race. This end can never be fulfilled by sex between males or females. Therefore,homosexuality is irrational and illogical.

According to psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung who were objective and unprejudiced, psychologically, homosexuality is abnormal. However, large scale lobbying by homosexuals and certain psychologists biased this scientific field of inquiry hence the truth became masked.

Abnormal sexual preference, even when it becomes ‘normal’ to an individual due to abnormal circumstances can be controlled. Just because certain individuals experience sexual desires towards members of the same sex, because something went wrong in their lives does mean that that their behaviour should be accepted.

There is no doubt that Christianity, Islam and traditional religions in Africa strongly condemn homosexuality. According to the Old Testament and the Koran, the people of Lot’s days were destroyed because they engaged in homosexual behaviour, they did not repent and accepting God’s admonishment (Genesis chapter 13, 14, 18, 19 and the Koran 7: 80-84; 4:16).

In Romans 1:22-27), Paul says: “Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.”

Studies have shown that homosexuality increases the risk of getting HIV/AIDS. Anal sex can cause rectal bleeding and thereby allowing easy transmission of HIV.

It is estimated that the majority of people with HIV/AIDS in the US today are homosexual or bi-sexual males. According the General Social Survey of the University of Chicago homosexual men were at the highest risk of contracting HIV.

The cost of treating people with HIV/AIDS is high. We must, therefore, mitigate its spread.

Dr. Semugoma argued that homosexuality as a natural phenomenon even in the animal kingdom but a comparison of this vice in men with intellect is not justified. Animals at times kill and eat their offspring. We cannot, therefore, justify the killing of our children just because it happens in the animal kingdom

Common sense, science, logic, psychology and religion have contributed to its civilisation. Homosexuality is irrational, illogical, abnormal and immoral behaviour. However, We should not condemn people who practise homosexuality but rather criticise their behaviour and help them find solutions to their problem.

The writer is a public health
professional and mobilisation secretary for the Inter-Faith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality in Uganda