Women’s Day

Uganda is the only country in the world that has a public holiday for women. Kind of funny. It was good political PR when it came. M7 wanted the support of this bloc, and he did get it. But, I am sure that is kind of wearing thin.

But, I am no political analyst.

Congratulations to the Women of Uganda. Happy Women’s Day.

Yesterday I had this horrible experience of fear of gay people. A singer who was singing anti-gay lyrics. But, I have promised not to release that post until I confirm what happened.

Oh yes, I will.

The petition did receive lots of coverage all over the world. You know, the petition with 450,000 signatures.

Inside the country, Canon Gideon says they generated a buzz. Which is great.

And, backlash. Some people believe good, gorgeous chuchmen like the Canon should not involve themselves in anything homosexual.

I believe they are planning a Church service to teach fellow Ugandans about love. This coming Saturday.

Seems as if there is a competition going on. Love versus hate. Ssempa says he was last week on Friday at Mbarara. Took there his anti-gay crusade.

[Snicker], Museveni might find that the good pastor is actually doing a campaign for the presidency under the guise of anti-Homosexuality promotion. Now, that would be a shot into where it really hurts. But, he might find himself arrested for showing gay porn. Inside and outside church!!!!

Hate of gay people is illogical. Un-explainable.

In the matter of making sure that ‘gay marriage’ does not happen in England, logic is thrown aside in favour of illogic. I believe one of the greatest weapons that we have against people who hate us with this gut level instinct is the fact that even themselves cannot explain why they do it. Is there anything like a genetic basis for homophobia? Would be an interesting premise. I think I have read somewhere something to that. Interesting.

They oppose anything ‘gay’, and that takes them to some ludicrous levels. Like showing gay porn in church, in the name of the anti-gay cause of course.

Sam Ganafa talks about being gay and out in Uganda. Or, being forcibly outed as it is. By the likes of the red rug. He has this to say to gay Ugandans. Stay in the closet. For your sake. 

Its always tough to talk to people who justify hate with Scripture. Of any kind. The bible says, and so I must be right. Right?

Is it true that what makes us gay also makes us susceptible to religion? I think it is so. Too many guys I have been to bed with seem to take that as something of a matter of fact. They are deeply religious in homophobic Uganda. So, how do they square their reading of ‘scriptures’ and their sexuality? that is a personal struggle that will continue for long. Very long.

At least this gay guy has the reading of scripture to support himself. 

As for me and religion? Huh, don’t take me there. I have a very succinct reply, which I of course don’t advise you to embrace. It is dangerous to do that.

Here is the reply, if you are interested.

Fuck Religion.

So, be well. Be good.

And, Happy International Women’s Day. I forgot to note that the day is International. But, only Uganda celebrates it with a Public Holiday

gug

Reckless Courage

UPDATE; Yeah, I was lax. Didnt post the link to Val's story in the Monitor. Here it is.

The image is from the Monitor.

Val came out. But, her partner couldnt. So, it is she whose eyes are not...

--------


I have just been out.

Friday night, and on the streets were the Sat. Morning papers. Early editions. Saw the headline in Saturday Monitor. 'Forbidden Love'. Didnt take too much notice.

Till, a friend sent me an sms. Had I seen the Monitor?

I immediately got a copy. The forbidden love was gay love. And, a lady, a lesbian, Val Kalende, had grabbed the headlines, simply by telling her story. The story of a gay Ugandan who is threatened by this Anti-Homosexual bill. Which is slated to make Uganda 'perhaps the most dangerous place for a homosexual in the world'.

Note. I do not have too much faith in Nsaba-Buturo's statement that the bill no longer has death and life imprisonment. It was made to foreign media, and, he has not said so to Ugandan media. We dont know that it is true!

Anyway, the bill is making us get recklessly courageous. Val comes out, full face photo. With her partner. And the partner is disguised. Nothing is more poignant. They both are risking their very lives, grabbing the headlines like this, when they can. For, when the bill is passed, this kind of article will not be possible. But, she dared to do it. And, she grabbed the headline.

You have been seeing the intense debate outside the country?

Well, it has not been happening in Uganda. The Monitor, second largest in circulation, and the smaller Independent and Observer have been the most consistent in reporting. The New Vision, well, there is no debate on homosexuality ongoing.... No legitimisation of homosexuality by formenting debate. Not from the government owned paper.

I was talking about reckless courage.

Me, I am a coward. Oh, I have detailed what would make me come out. In anger of course. But...

Basically I am a coward. Pressed into a corner, even a gazelle can wound a lion.Maybe a lucky blow will take out an eye. And, that is what is driving some of my friends. They are going out for broke, presenting their slender necks for the dare to slash. For the knife.

Frank Mugisha. David Kato (called Cato in some articles. Dont know why, since his mug was on them.) Another one, Sam Ganafa. Now, Val Kalende.

I know what is driving them. A reckless courage. This bill is so terrible, that, even now, if we cant speak out now, we shall forever be damned. So, they are speaking out. Getting out of the closets, making sure that the world out there in Uganda does know that they are Gay, and that they are Ugandan, and that they are threatened by death and life time imprisonment for being gay and Ugandan.

I salute you, guys and girls. I salute you. Me, who is still hiding in my anonymity, I salute your reckless courage.

Dont know what your lives will be worth once it becomes law. Dont know. Dont want to know. Hope I will not know. But, the very risks that you are exposing yourself to at this particular moment just makes me shiver with fear. I am a coward. But, I thank your reckless courage.

And, by the way, I have to feel some awe for the editor of the Saturday Monitor, who managed to have that story, 'Forbidden Love' become the headline in the paper. Salute!

And, there is also an article detailing that some diplomats, including the US have made an official protest about the bill to the govt. Know what the govt says? That they are the injured party. See, it is a private members bill. And, they dont have an official government position.

Now, to those liars and hypocrites, I can only pull out the Honourable Minister of Ethics and Integrity's statements. About anal sex having no rights, etc....
They are embarassing, even by Ugandan standards. But what do I know? I am gay, you see!

And, the Ugandan media has at last started to publish things about the bill. Here, Nagenda, a New Vision Columnist, comes out against the bill. In very clear words.

Oh, he is pejorative, in his elegant use of the English. But, what is important, that Nagenda, iconic movement supporter, has had an article which calls the bill 'draconian' published. Regarding Homosexuals and Lesbians. In the New Vision, the government owned paper. Owned, and controlled.

I have not been able to get a link to the Monitor article with Val's story. No problem. I will update this story. Today, or when I get a scan of the story and post it on this post.

For now, I salute the courage of one, Val Kalende, and your partner.

You go girl!


gug