Why do I fight?

The question continues to haunt my thoughts.

Yesterday, seated on our verandah, came a child, a girl, about ten or so. She was well dressed. Knelt, greeted me, and told me she was hungry. Been sent to school for some function or other. Didnt have food for the day. Wanted some.

There is so much need all around me. I am a privileged person. I have internet. I have a job. I have an income. I have..., so many things which the rest of my people do not have. I am even sure that I will get a meal today. Reasonably sure.

So, why do I fight the wars about my sexuality? No worthier causes? [Well, my life might depend on it, life and liberty. But, I am a chameleone. I do not have to fight. I can blend in and hide for life. Yes. I can.]

And, this fight is a bitter one. So many chances of failure, of not getting through. The rewards? Uh, they can be bitter like lemons. Offered asylum to get out of the country? Or some regard by fellow kuchus? Or, the monies that many believe are my motivation?

Its complicated. Like the Facebook relationship status.

Why I fight, why I do whatever I do. It is complicated. Cant even begin to explain it to myself.

But, some news out of Africa. Maybe these things do offer a clue to the why of my 'fight'

The other day was World AIDS Day. And, the Independent ran this article. The bigotry that keeps Aids alive

Experts have long stated that HIV epidemics cannot be successfully quelled unless the underlying spread of HIV by male-to-male sex is addressed. Yet, across the globe, socially accepted homophobia and violence against sexual minorities have created barriers to HIV-prevention efforts in this population.

It is a horrific fact. Ssempa in Uganda... the statement of his that they cannot allow us HIV prevention programs. Us, as in gay Ugandans... that statement still reverberates in my mind. And, that of the Director General of Uganda's AIDS commission that gay men were one of the drivers of the epidemic, but the national program simply wouldnt target them.

That, that hatred is a fuel for me. You can hate me all you want. But, I will simply not lie down and die because you hate me. No way.

And, you did hear of The Prime Minister of Kenya' s statement? Yes, he is being asked to retract it. Kenya, our neighbour to the east, is amazing in some ways. Not least because Gay Kenyans do have a voice. We don't have that in Uganda. To continue with an extract from the Independent-

Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister of Kenya. On Sunday at a rally in his constituency, he said: "Homosexuals should be arrested and taken to the relevant authorities." What is happening in such situations, explains Dr Carr, is that people are "regarded as disposable, less than human".

They are "left with no protection under the law and no means of seeking redress for the wrongs done to them", he said.

Disposable. Less than human. Yes, in the eyes of Giles Muhame. Pastor Ssempa. Minister Buturo. Pastor Male, MP Bahati, that is what I am as a gay Ugandan. Disposable. Less than human. Hang Them!

When the anti-Homosexuality bill was introduced in parliament at the end of last year, I was pretty sure that it was a preparation for elections in Uganda. Yes, we are in the midst of politicking. Elections in February 2011. And, it is very cheap politics to rally the masses to persecute a minority. And one that cannot fight back.

Happened in Uganda.

Is happening in Senegal, across the continent.

Violence against homosexual men in Senegal has escalated in the past two years and may continue to rise before a presidential election in 2012, according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch.

Incidents of mob beatings, arbitrary arrests, police brutality and public discrimination and lynching were reported to the New York-based group and published in a report today released in the Dakar, the Senegalese capital.

The West African nation is one of 38 African countries that criminalizes homosexuality, and has become one of Africa’s most “abusive” enforcers of such laws, said Boris Dittrich, Human Rights Watch’s acting director for its lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights program.

“When elections are coming up and politicians are under scrutiny, all of a sudden there is more focus on homosexuality, because that’s a very easy target,” Dittrich said in a phone interview from New York.

Bigots and spreaders of hate are a reality in my world. And, I have no compunction exposing them. I have no compunction when I see them reaping what they sow. They spread misery with their words. They reap less than that.

Pastor Dr Martin 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa has learnt to keep his mouth shut. Because garbage spews from it. Hate and garbage. In Uganda, it is thought to be honey... by many. But, to his supporters outside the country, he is an embarrassment. And, pressure is being applied to bless him with these things.

He resigned from the 'Board of Reference' of Oral Roberts University. Good riddance....! I have no doubt that he was forced out. And, I am ruthless enough to be happy at his pain. [I am no Christian. I will not turn the other cheek. No thanks.]

Why do I fight?

I try to answer that question. I have failed to do so to my heart's content. What I do know is that I am still fighting. Bloody, stupid, unchosen war.

But, will I accept to be less than human? That seems to be the only alternative!

Have a great day.

gug

Why do they Hate?

Why do they hate us so?

Sometimes, when I am really down and depressed, I start asking myself why people hate us.

Us. Generic, us gays. Why are there all the different kinds of hate? Why?

Uh, I know. Xenophobia. Tribal prejudices are very common in Uganda, and most of our African countries.

Many of the haters swear that they don't hate. Pastors Male and Ssempa say they love homosexuals. Yes, I would do without their overwhelming love, hate.

Ssempa these days doesnt want to talk to the media. But, he speaks through surrogates (how he must hate that!). Male, well, that elderly gentleman is not as charismatic as Ssempa is, but, he also shouts and rants as much as any other. Remember, in the Pastor Wars in Uganda, he was hand and glove with Ssempa in the allegations about Pastor Kayanja.

Poor guys. Recently, I passed by Miracle Center Cathedral. Kayanja is planning a huge city wide crusade. And, he has a huge bill board, rivalling those of politicians campaigning for the presidency.

Kayanja literally crushed his rivals, those who wanted to tarnish his name that he is a homosexual. I don't know whether he is.... damn, I have no wish one way or the other. Father Musaala's career was destroyed by the allegations, far as I see. Kayanja faced them, dragged them to court. And, Ssempa and Male ended with mud on their mugs. The power of money!

And, Pastor Kayanja is going as strong as ever.

Maybe the lesson there is that hate and jealousy, especially like that of Male and Ssempa does not pay. Or, they are stupid?

Why do they hate us so?

Male put his signature to this epistle. A long letter, convoluted. We are evil. Because we are homosexuals. Somehow, somewhere in that is well hidden the love. Ssempa has apparently learnt the lesson not to put his signature to epistles like that these days. But, guess who is behind it all...!

Here, Male explains everything further.

The language of love, hate- unrestrained. Foreign media 'promoting homosexuality' in Uganda.

---

And now foreign media and homosexuals are here to advance their cause, blackmailing our government, misinforming the world about the situation on the ground."

---

According to him "Pr Martin Ssempa and others in our team have on many occasions debated with homosexuals at public forums, even before the media and in the presence of the Police, intelligence and other agencies. None of the homos (homosexuals, ed) has ever been harassed. Where on earth do they get such brutalization? I need to assure the world as follows:

"No homosexual has been persecuted. Our campaign focuses on criminals who target little children below the 18 year age of consent, especially children in schools. For those who have chosen to take that sexual route, we call upon to quit.

"No homosexual has been raped, abused or killed by mobs because of hatred. In fact, many relatives of homosexuals have bleeding hearts that their loved ones are indulging. We have parents of homosexuals who have been mistreated by homosexuals.

"On the contrary, we have homosexuals using state machinery to harass their victims and the good Samaritans. This has happened in the Pr Kitaka, Pr Kiwewesi, Pr Kayanja and other homo cases." Male continues his argument saying that where victims have come up to report, they have been persecuted, framed and arrested, or their offenders have been alerted to take pre-emptive action, or even to flee

---

You see? We are liars and hypocrites. They are the saints that speak their hearts out.

Now, I dearly love this contrasting comment from Giles Muhame of the Rolling pebble. This is what he says. 

"I hope basic justice will be done," he told Reuters. "Some people are even calling for public hanging and some others even want to see homosexuals buried alive."

Basic Justice indeed!. At least Giles Muhame is truthful.

I mean, I swear to the veracity of this.

During the debates on the Anti-Homosexuality bill, there was one which was televised. Agenda Uganda or something on NTV, one of the local stations. On the panel on one side was Pastor Solomon Male. On the other side was Val Kalende.

And, one of the guys in the audience, very categorically stated that the bill was not going far enough with hanging homosexuals. What he wanted was homosexuals like Val being dragged before a public firing squad, like used to happen in the days of Idi Amin.

I listened to that, sick at heart. Val was there. I don't know how she felt, have never asked her. I felt sick, disgusted. Because, to a Ugandan, those sick days are an ulcer that cannot be healed.

But, the guy said that. I didnt see the man of God Male stand up to contend that. What did Male say? Oh, in anger, at another segment, he actually supported the hanging.....

Why do they hate us so?

Oh well, they hate. And hating, they are satisfied.

It doesnt help me to dwell on that. They hate. Shrug. And, me telling them that they hate is not going to change them an iota. They hate because they hate. They will get the words to fill in the void of their 'love', but, they will continue to hate.

Why should I try to understand them? A knife driven into my chest will kill me, whether the motivation of the killer is powered by ignorance. It is ignorant hate.

gug

Dire News?. Updated

Dull day.

In a way. I mean, cloud cover grey. Little sun filtering through. It is cold, and, I have had to get some warm clothing on. That is unusual. My lover is here, braving the cold. Maybe I have a slight fever? Certainly, a hacking cough. And, he was telling me I was a mite warmer than usual in bed.... didnt stop him from winding himself round me like a vine does a forest tree. Did I complain?

No. I loved it. And, was reluctant getting out of bed.

Done some work already. Had a couple of things that I slept on, dreaming of perfecting them in the morning. And, first out of bed, reading a poem, (Winfred Owen, To ___), I dove into the computer. Productive couple of hours.

And, then I have to get online.

Have decided on a novel solution for the hunger to be online all the time. Is mine, is mine, is mine. Wont share it....!

But, was immediately tickled when I got onto facebook on the phone and heard of Mubajje's pronouncements on homosexuality in Uganda.

Now, a little background. Do I need to tell you about the high feelings that homosexuality engages in Ugandans? And, should I remind you about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, which is currently stalled in Parliament? Oh, I don't need to, I hope.

Now, fast forward to this year, yesterday.

The politicians are at the polls. Criss crossing the country, looking for votes. This is supposed to be a democracy, so, regular polls to confirm the president.

Mubajje is the leader of the Moslems in the country... the legal leader. Or the regular leader... they have factions.

He hates homosexuals. Once, he wanted us to be marooned on an island on Lake Victoria. In his opinion, once marooned there, we homosexuals would die out, since we don't 'reproduce'. And, blessed Uganda would be free of us. He mentioned this 3 times. Told the President, who apparently didnt comment. At least where the press had eyes and ears.

Well, yesterday was Eid Aduha. And, as a good politician, the President was at the celebrations. To court the Muslim vote. He is shown in this pic seated, attentive, listening to the Mufti of Uganda. 


Correction. The Pres was in Arua. He wasnt listening to the Mufti, who was in Kampala yesterday. My apologies

Mubajje had a captive audience, including the head of state. And, what did he say? The over aching problem of the country is nothing but homosexuality. So, we need the presidential candidates to state their position.

Mubajje asked all the presidential candidates to state their position on the “touchy” matter of homosexuality or else face the wrath of the pious religious faithful.

“We have not heard any candidate speaking on the matter of homosexuality yet it is against God’s teachings,” he said. “We are concerned about this matter as religious leaders and we are waiting for the presidential candidates’ position on the matter.” He said it was such “evils” coupled with other immoral behaviour that see nations crumble, adding that he is in agreement with other religious leaders opposed to homosexuality.

I was not there.

But, I am amused. Actually, flabbergasted.

Indeed, the American Culture wars are being fought in Uganda. Sincerely speaking, of all the problems in the country, is the problem of homosexuality so important to the national discourse on choosing a new leader? Is any of our presidential candidates pro-gay? Can they dare to be seen to be pro-gay? It is politically correct to be anti-gay in Uganda. What was Mubajje's intention here?

Indeed, there are some people for whom my sexuality is a deep and abiding passion. Why the hell it is, I don't know.

To Pastor Dr. Martin 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa is added Mufti Mubajje. Leader of all muslims in Uganda. [There is a rival Mufti. The Kibuli faction. But, I do know that they can also not be seen to contradict Mubajje on this front.]

What do I make of this?

I have always consistently observed that we gay Ugandans seem not to drive the conversation here. We react to provocation like this, and Ssempa, and Bahati. Why is it of such importance that these guys push an anti-gay agenda? I believe the answer to that question is important for the prosecution of this war. And, it is a bloody war.

Why?

No, again, I don't have answers to this question. What drove Mufti Mubajje, on the day when he assuredly had the Presidents attention, to push a relatively minor issue into the Presidential election debate and make it an issue?

I am very convinced that I am not that important. Of course, Mubajje may be trying to deflect from his failures, the allegations of corruption, the divisions amongst the moslems, the fact that there is a rival Mufti. But, the President was attending his mass. He was not at the rival Mufti's place, which I believe is actually an opposition stronghold. Why was he trying to define the Presidential campaigns with the issue of homosexuality?

I don't think it will catch on, but, I am curious. We do have some pretty persistent enemies.

With the Rolling Stone outings, carried further by the Onion and Red rug, I am now wondering whether we are actually facing an underhand but still consistent push to drag my sexuality into the national political debate.

Is it co-ordinated? I don't know. No intelligence from the enemy camp. Can only read what is in the papers. And, the fact that Bahati supports the Rolling stone 'Hang them' campaign. Really a serious wonderful Christian. Here are his assurances.

Mr. Bahati sounded a confident tone about the AHB. He expresses strong belief that there is time to get the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee to have public hearings and write a favorable report. He says he has been assured of this by the committee chair. He believes then that the second reading would take place and then as is often the case in the Ugandan parliament, the third reading would take place the same day.

But, as usual, I have to polish my weapons, and not let rust get onto the armour. Might be called on to fight the anti-Homosexuality bill. And, very soon at that.

I just hope it doesnt come to that. But, what power do I have to stand down this avalanche?

I have my will. And, the will of a few billion people. Even against the will of my country men, and those who casually incite violence.

Pessimistic assessment, this Wednesday morning. Hope you are feeling good and fine.

gug

This guy is so Dangerous...!

Its a song, isnt it?

I love being gay.

Simply love it. The challenge to life, the challenge to prejudices and perception that forces itself onto one's self. I love it.

[Jumped out of bed on the right side, you see... that is why I am crowing about something which may cause me to be 'hanged' as my countrymates feel is good and fitting.] But, see it this way, if I was straight in Uganda, what cause would I have found to challenge my very existence, every day of my life since puberty, living behind a veil as a 'normal' person... while pinching and poking at life and existence?

Granted, I do know that being gay is not so different from being straight. Matter of fact. Say what they may, I know that. But, people will continue talking like I am the most evil of men.

Grin.....! I am SO DANGEROUS! I am used to scare kids in bed at night. You will be gay, you see!

Whats so boring is the fact that it is so normal. Give, mate, if only the extraordinary attention that the world gives to what is so normal to me would be diverted. But, I am just shy. Why should I duck my unique celebrity status?

This guy is DANGEROUS.

Bahati, Buturo, Ssempa. They all agree. And, why not. I am so dangerous.

Now, look at the brave football federation of Croatia. Don't know whether you have noticed it, but many people think us the scum of the earth. And, of course we cant be part of brave athletic sports like football, and others. Here.

And, another thing which is pretty consistent, when a person comes face to face with hate speech, or striking out at others, we are simply misunderstanding. [Even Ssempa was, and is, misunderstood.]

Markovic has since apologised ‘for a clumsy interpretation’ of his comments, claiming: ‘It was not my intention whatsoever to insult or hurt anyone.’

Give me 'clumsy'. Any time.

Another clumsy person. But, this is an elderly gentleman of the Catholic Church, who dares to say things that are the official church position..... but, it is not politically correct to say them. I give you the current, Catholic Archbishop of Belgium.

He calls AIDS a form of "justice" for homosexuals and wants retired pedophile priests to go unpunished. He says women who have an abortion will be greeted in the afterlife by their unborn child crying "Momma!"

Archbishop Andre Leonard, 70, was plucked from a sleepy Belgian citadel-town by Pope Benedict XVI in January to energize the country's Roman Catholic faithful and reverse 30 years of liberalism. The appointment was in line with Benedict's policy of putting tradition-minded and conservative bishops in important dioceses.

But since taking office, Leonard's hardline views have added turmoil to a church already mired in an abuse scandal. And, privately, some Vatican officials are expressing concern about an ever-worsening public relations disaster.

The controversy turned into a very public revolt last week when his spokesman resigned, saying he could no longer morally defend Leonard.

"I was his GPS for three months. But it is the driver who has his hands on the wheel. Too often, I had to recalculate the route," said Juergen Mettepenningen. He called Leonard a "loose cannon who thinks everybody else is wrong."

Leonard's views — and the way he delivers them so stridently — are riling the Catholic base, but they dovetail with church teachings that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered" and that women who abort babies are sinners.

Now, I have a sneaking admiration for the man. Why should hate speech be covered up? Like Ssempa, of the infamous 'eat da poo poo' fame, he is a man who speaks his mind. What if his mind is a sewer, and he is the Catholic Archbishop? Let him speak the position of the church without fear or favor.

Hey, what if the church is out of synch with life.... then, who else shows it so clearly but those who clearly ennunciate the position of the said Church?

Ugandans, my country mates are real fun.

When they bash gays, they expect things to just continue. Remember the 'Hang Them' headlines? They were not noticed in the country. No. I am not kidding you.

Why? Because, in Uganda, homosexuals simply do not deserve rights. When Nsaba-Buturo, Minister of Ethics and Integrity says homosexuals should forget about rights, he means exactly that. And, most fellow Ugandans will barely flinch. It is a known truth that homosexuals are not human...!

Anyway, what actually made news was the fact that it was news, and news in the west.

In more hilarious news,

Pastor Martin Ssempa. Forgive me. Pastor Dr. Martin 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa got so notorious online on Facebook that the admins there pulled the plug on that particular kettle of worms. Now, did I tell you that the guy is charismatic and the darling of many youths? They have energy, and, they are willing to go the last inch.

They have formed a group on Facebook to apply pressure for the return of dear Dr 'eat da poo poo'.

Snicker. The group has 116 members, as of now. It is a public content group. And all are welcome.

Need to find whether any of my facebook friends are on. You know...! Oh, you wanted the link? It is here 

Just been looking through the group members. Do you think they will ban Gay Uganda? I am so joining them....! Amama Mbabazi is a member of the group. And, the pics are cool, you know.. good. I mean of the guys on it. [Hey, bite me, am gay!]

Now, the question is, does Gay Uganda want Ssempa back on facebook or not?

We shall so see. Soon.

What are the discussions like, at that group?

Err, as of now, no discussions. Nothing but shouting to have Ssempa back on facebook. What did the gentle man do to be forced off?

He was so misunderstood! (Forgive my slip into Ugandenglish) Seems to fit in well, here.

As Afrogay writes,  for Ssempa the noose to tighten is little justice. But, what else can we pray for?

Ever wonder what would have happened if the 33 Chilean miners had been in Uganda? I don't. Wonder that is. They would have died, sure. No question about that.

Charles Onyango Obbo wonders actually. And, here is what he thinks would have happened

My friend Pastor Martin Sempa and MP David Bahati would show up at the rescue site. They would allege that one of the miners is gay, and therefore he should not be brought to the surface, as it was God’s plan that he stays in the ground. Only the heterosexuals, they would argue, should be rescued.

Well, Ugandans would have cheered Bahati and Ssempa. I know. I am a Ugandan!

Now, this less than satirical piece ends here. Tomorrow is Friday. And that means that I am looking forwards to Saturday and the weekend. Like a child promised candy, the thought sustains me through the rest of the week.....!

Have a great day, people!

Gay, Faith Heroes

Yesterday, standing on the road just outside home, a Mormon missionary approaches me, to tell me about their deity.

I decline. Don't want to belong to any faith..., don't belong to any faith. Suprise on her part. Why don't I believe? No, it does have something to do with my sexuality, but, faith doesnt have to do with sexuality. Didnt go into the specifics of my case.

She insisted on telling me about the Bible. I listened, then nonplussed her by asking why she wasn't quoting from the Quaran. Because she didnt believe it. I don't believe in neither the Bible, nor the Quaran, I reply patiently.

Why does it suprise people that a person does remain a human being with no particular adherence to a faith? Guess it is because so many of us believe. Gay people believe. Even when they are bombarded by 'gay is evil' messages. We continue to believe.

And, sometimes, that has some interesting consequences.

Remember the 'Hang Them' headline? The rolling stone rug.

Just below the caption on the front page were the photos of two people. One is a gay activist. The other is Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo. Giles Muhame, Ssempa's lieutenant, apparently believes that the elderly bishop should be hanged.

No. Bishop Ssenyonjo is not gay.

Question has always been asked. The guy was asked why he is risking all for a people that are pariahs in society.... even his pension. He is a grandfather, and his family is affected by his stance. I mean, the Church of Uganda went to the point of stopping his pension, reportedly because of his stance on homosexuality.

And, one of Ssempa's lieutenants wants him hanged.

No. Not because he is gay. But, because he defends gay people of faith. In the Christian faith. Uh, Jesus feels that pain. Surely no teacher would stand for such interpretation of their teaching! Jesus taught love, didnt he?

If Giles is to state that that is a mis-construction, I would be very surprised. Words, pics, they mean something. As a news person, I think he is the expert. When I see the photo of Bishop Ssenyonjo and the caption, just above his head to 'Hang Them', my conclusions are based on a very solid foundation. At least, so I think....!

There is another bishop, Gene Robinson.

Hey, the guy is gay. Maybe for him it is justified to spew hate speech? His consecration brought up all sorts of controversies. Personally, such a thing, like the consecration of Bishop Glasspool is an affirmation that even gay people are worth of faith. Fact, there is nothing stopping us from believing. Many of us do, and strongly. But, there are some incredible consequences to that. Here was the reaction to Gene Robinson.

Robinson was openly gay when he was elected bishop in 2003, but it aroused such passions that he wore a bullet-proof vest to his consecration.

His ordination as bishop -- the first of an openly gay priest in any Christian denomination -- so divided the church that its General Convention in 2006 called a moratorium on "any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church."

Then in July 2009, the church voted to end the moratorium even though the issue had opened a widening rift within the broader Anglican church.

Some Episcopal parishes in the United States responded by breaking with the US church and aligning themselves with conservative Anglican bishops in Africa and South America.

Gene Robinson is retiring. Has he been brave?

Maybe, by definition of the word. He has been a man who, through no choice of his, has been forced into the spotlight. And made a celebrity. But, at a cost to him.

Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire said he would retire in 2013, when he will be 65.

"The fact is, the last seven years have taken their toll on me, my family and you," Robinson wrote in a message posted on the diocese website.

"Death threats, and the now-worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as bishop have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark, who has faithfully stood with me every minute of the last seven years."

I salute the man. Gene Robinson. Husband Mark.

I salute them for finding the courage to walk through their lives as human beings, not denying themselves in the face of extreme opposition.

I salute them.

gug

They are only Words

Why do words hurt? Why do they hurt so much?

Words, I mean, like those of anti-gay rhetoric.

They hurt because they are supposed to; to demean, de-humanize, insult, and hold up to shame. They hurt, and do hurt bad.

I am a gay Ugandan. Means I have, perforce to grow a thick skin, crocodile hide. Cant be what I am without developing that. A necessity. Yet, they do still hurt.

In Uganda, we are kind of used to it. I mean, Pastor Ssempa and his 'eat da poo poo' tirades. That is not worth much comment in Uganda. Outside Uganda, well, it is a bit more of a problem.

Saw this note about the guy who had unleashed a homophobic rant on Facebook. American school district official, who believed that it was an insult for him to be urged to put on a Purple ribbon in rememberance of teenage suicides. He was offended, because the teenagers were queers. And, he thought it good that they had died. Because they were queers. And, he thought it quite good that queers give each other HIV during sex.

The posts were made, according to The Advocate, in response to a bullying awareness campaign sponsored by GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The "Spirit Day" campaign aimed to foster recognition of bullying directed at gays and the effects it can have on young people through a series of events held on October 20.

One aspect of the campaign encouraged people to wear purple to honor those who had committed suicide after experiencing anti-gay bullying, and to show solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth who face the same pressures.

According to the screen grab obtained by The Advocate, McCance wrote the following about the event: "Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers committed suicide. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed therselves because of their sin."

Those words, well, they are tame in contrast to what Ssempa says on an average day.

I thought of Anderson Cooper of CNN interviewing the guy. Another of the queers that he privately railed against. And, one who had lost a brother by suicide. [Wonder, what did Cooper feel, talking to this guy? Throw off the poker anchor face, what did he really feel?]

Words, they are only words.

And, I have to learn to discount them. Because, words, unlike stones, or a rope around my neck, they don't hurt much, in retrospect.

But, words do hurt. And, they hurt real bad.

Here are the words of Giles Muhame. The 'Rolling Stone' editor. I am afraid Uganda does have its share of fools, especially in the homophobe category. Just like dear Ssempa, Nsaba-Buturo, Bahati, he has embraced, very gladly, his fifteen minutes of fame. And, he is going around talking about what he has done, and what he hopes to do.

Of course, he is not hurting people. Homosexuals are not people. People like Stosh Mugisha don't matter. Of course they are lying...! Of course we are lying. I have wondered how coolly they throw off concerns about us hurting. And, Muhame does me proud.

Think of Pastor Martin Ssempa, of 'eat da poo poo' fame. Think of him pontificating on a Sunday at his Makerere Community Church. His 'mission' is to youths. His charisma turns them on.

Of course, when he is talking, most of the people who listen are heterosexual. Most don't understand a gay person's dilema of faith and sexuality.

Think of a gay youth listening with rapt attention to Pastor Ssempa.

Truly, something to make one up and suicide oneself.

And, no. I am not advocating for that.

It does get better, when we can put people like Ssempa in perspective. But, at that particular time, for those people, for those gay teens and near teens... It is something terrible.

Words do matter. Words do hurt. Lots.

gug 

True Religion

What is true religion?

[And, why do I write so much about religion? Grumble, grumble...]

It is because I am a human being. It is because, as a person, I am a spiritual being...

No. I don't go into the mysticism. But, it is something that I cannot run away from in my country. Truth to tell, most human beings cannot run away from it.

A colleague of mine at work asks, apropos of nothing. 'Are you a Catholic?' Answer? No. And, he continued. Protestant (anglican)? No. SDA? No. Moslem? No.

Then, frustrated, 'What religion are you?', and cheeky me, 'None of the above.'

I choose to think that religion doesnt define my humanity. And, I choose not to choose any of the labels. But they are very important to us as human beings.

Because I say that, some point at me and say this is an anti-Christian blog. (Uh, that was Ssempa, you guessed.)

But, I strongly believe in a person's right to define their faith. I will not proselytize my lack of faith. And, I will look on in bemusement if anyone tries to proselytize me. Might make for an interesting conversation.

And, I will also stand for the right of a gay African to have a faith life.

Some believe that since we are gay, we cant be Christian, or Muslim, or whatever religion. I think they err. And, though I am none of those, I believe that a gay Ugandan, a gay African is also a human being. They, and we have the same right to religion as all other human beings.

Yes, I might have a problem with the logics of reconciling the faiths. But then, why do we call them faiths? Because they are faiths.

Even when others use their faith to hit out at us, demonise us, call us anti-Christ, kaffirs, anti-God, etc, just because we have a different sexuality, I still stand and say that we are human beings. And, a gay human being can be a Christian.

And, can be a Moslem.

And, I may actually find the words to debate one who says I cant be a Christian (or Moslem) and gay at the same time. Because that person is denying my humanity. That is my convoluted thinking.

I would really love it if religious people would stop defining their religiousness with anti-gay rhetoric.

I mean, in Uganda, Ssempa is the epitome of a Christian. Because of his anti-gay rhetoric, which is considered the very spirit and soul of Christianity. The Anglicans in Uganda.... well, it is all the same. That is why they excommunicated Bishop Ssenyonjo. He was not anti-gay enough. In fact, he was pro-gay.

I know. For the Catholics, it is the contraception thing, but the anti-gay thing also comes in.

Bahati... well. He says that it is his heartfelt wish to pass the 'Kill the Gay' bill. Make it law. Of course, for him it is defining something called the family, or traditional family. And, he still has hopes of it becoming law.

So, what is true religiousness? Why does my sexuality have to be used to define spirituality?

I have no answers for you. The only ones I have are for me, thank you.

Gug

Now this post was inspired by this post here. Who are the Real Christians? And, in my book, Desmond Tutu is a real Christian....!

Ssempa's Oats

Nominations in Kampala.

We have presidential elections in 2011, and that means that we have to go through the circus.

Pretend democracy? Sometimes I do think that we are. But, life is kind of like that. Yesterday, the city was flooded by people in the colours of the ruling party. Brilliant yellow. A kind of eye straining bright. Today, that has toned down.

Lover is back home. Am at work... feel like something missing. Oh, woke up too early...! enough said.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Parliament is supposed to be debating a law criminalising being gay and trans. Seems some people did learn from Uganda. They are our neighbours to the west. And, apart from exporting fighers and guns to them, seems our beliefs are also crossing the borders.

Know what, the differences in media, the differences in language, that bill has not got any tranction in the English speaking media. Not as far as I know, anyway.

Funny. I am a private person, in a way. Funny that I have had to learn how to use gifts that I knew not. Doesnt mean that I relish them, but, necessity is a very good motivator.

A Church in the US which supported Ssempa through thick and thin has finally dumped him. Ssempa is toxic. Very toxic.

He is very brilliant as a speaker. He is a charismatic actor. But, he is also a Born again Christian and Pentecostal who believes sincerely that other human beings should be harmed for the simple reason that they are different in sexual orientation.

Maybe it is also good that a fellow Christian has spear headed the fight of outing him for what he is. A lying hypocrite who misrepresents the teachings and ideals that he should uphold. But then, even when I knew he was lying and lying through his teeth, there were many Christians who dared not believe me.... But, it is a matter of fact that the church cleaning itself is something that is laudable.

Ssempa is still what he is. But, am glad that his wings are sort of clipped...! Problem, he is a very good chameleon. I will not be surprised if he re-incarnates. He is that good. Hey, he is Ugandan. I abhor him, but, there is a sort of sneaky pride, even when I am fighting nail and tooth to have him exposed.

So, life goes on.

Its sunny and bright in Kampala today. I know, the afternoon may bring a rain cloud, like happened yesterday. But, today is sun beautiful.

Hope your day is good.

gug

Is the Bahati bill dead?

Is the 'Kill the Gays' Bill dead?

Sometimes we are complacent.

According to the procedure of the parliament of Uganda, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 was introduced by the Hon. Bahati about a year ago. Parliament is supposed to have three readings. The Bill had the first reading in parliament. And, it was then referred to 'committee,' which means what, I am not able to say.

But, subsequently, there were two committee hearings. They happened in parliament. One was with the religious leaders, minus the Catholics, who insisted the bill was great (at the time,) but for the death penalty, which they subsequently opposed. They were being virtuous, the Christians. They wanted our poor souls saved on earth by life imprisonment, instead of of summary execution for being gay.

Forgive the bile. It has to come out.

Now, now, officially, the bill did not die. It is still alive. Maybe hibernating.

And, it can be brought back to life.

I was reminded of this by the fact that Bahati and Buturo still hold out hope for it.

Buturo said the anti-gay measure will be addressed and passed "in due course."

"Of course I hope it passes," he said.

And, of course there has been speculation that the 'Hang them' Campaign was an attempt to revive it. No, I would seriously not put dear Ssempa past that. And, the fact that that issue of the 'rolling stone' had so much to quote from my favourite pastor kind of makes me wonder....

It is not dead. This sword is still hanging over our heads, as gay Ugandans.

Now, if that is a lie, I would love Dr. Nsaba-Buturo to correct me. He is more likely to know the facts that I, who is not a legislator in the 8^th parliament of Uganda.

Now, the text of the bill, with all the clauses as it was tabled at the first reading is here. If anyone out there still says there are no clauses to kill gays, please....! And, it is not aimed at paedophiles. Gug, [that is me] and my partner would die by hanging, as serial offenders, if that particular bill becomes law today. Of course.

And, the provisions to make our pastors and doctors and parents report us to the 'relevant' authorities still stand. Oh yes, they are there. And, none of the 'denialists' should tell lies about what it is. If that bill ever comes out again, let us not be blind to its provisions. They are clear, and in black and white. Not even Buturo, Ssempa, nor Bahati should be able to squeeze out of the provisions that they stood by.

And, if they lie, by the gods, I will point it out, again, and again.

gug

More Ex-Gay Charades in Uganda

Did you think that story was ended?

Nay. Still ongoing. Because, we are still gay, and Ugandan, living in Uganda. And, people like Ssempa still claim to love us. In the name of Christ, of course.

Last time, was mostly about George Oundo. But, I did comment that Oundo fell out of Ssempa's camp, didn't I?

Do you think Ssempa would stop there? Not really.

You see, Ssempa is a Christian. And, a Christian pastor. So, he should ideally not be caught in a lie. Nor should he be caught in an act that is blatantly wrong, or evil, or bad.... you get the drift.

So, when George Oundo failed Ssempa, [poor Oundo], Ssempa found a new lieutenant. By the names of Paul Kagaba. He is the one to be blamed for any Ssempa lies now.

I must confess that I don't know much about Kagaba. At least, I didn't know as much as I knew about Oundo.

But, I do know enough [evil grin]. And, Kagaba is a character.

First saw him at a party. Yeah, he was with a lady who was later introduced as his sister/wife? Here, I am into speculation. I never thought to get that relationship down. Was not as interested in gossip as I am now.

Anyway, long story short, Kagaba latched onto an expatriate friend of mine. And, like a leech, seemed to be glued thereon for some time. As in weeks, far as I could tell. As these things happen, the relationship didnt mature, or go much further. [shrug, no blame to anyone], though apparently Kagaba did want to move in with the guy, but... shall we say the feelings were not mutual?

True, for a few days, they were a 'couple'. But, I am not going to be condemned for swearing about what was happening there.

Now, when that relationship dissolved, I was surprised to hear that Kagaba had latched onto a workmate of the expatriate friend. Also happened to be white. And, a woman.

My gossipy conclusion? Paul Kagaba was bisexual. No big deal. Happens all the time. And, most of us must be bisexual in behaviour. To blend into the rest of society.

Only issue was, heard from the grapevine that, Paul was trying to move in with the lady, and the lady was 'very surprised'. Here-say, so, don't make much of that!!!

Anyway, Paul goes back to his boda-boda day job. Personally, I thought he was just trying to outsource ready sources of money. But, again, that is purely conjecture.

Now, when the ex-gay movement came about, Paul Kagaba was in the second wave. Interesting. His was not the charisma of George Oundo, but, he seemed to be a very willing substitute when Oundo went missing.

So, back to the talk shows. With Ssempa by his side. Nodding, nodding, nodding, and confirming whatever Ssempa says.

Yeah, his english is not that great. But, he does understand enough. And, he makes up for the rest by being a very, very good yes man. And, a great liar.

As proof of his 'conversion' to heterosexuality, Paul Kagaba sent to our e-boxes a picture of himself and his 2 year old son.

Beautiful boy. But, I laughed. Because it was interesting to note that the boy was older than the purported time of conversion from 'homosexuality'. Yeah, I do have the pic. Clearly, the child was born long before Paul 'converted' from homosexuality.

But, this pic thing has some very interesting problems.

You remember the expatriate (male) friend that Kagaba used to hang out with? At a seminar in late Sept 2010, Paul Kagaba came to support and nod sagely to Ssempa's assertions about gay people. See, Ssempa would say that all the things that he said, Kagaba had confirmed. So, they must be truths. [Did he confirm the 'eat da poo poo' and licking of anuses?] But, I digress.

Anyway, the seminar. Researchers from Makerere. And, they want to hear from Uganda's prominent anti-gay pastor. Who appears with Paul Kagaba in tow.

Now, I wasnt there....!

But, I am reliably informed that Paul Kagaba pulls out a picture of himself with the male expatriate. According to Kagaba, he was 'married' to this friend of his, during his days in homosexuality. And, that picture was a proof of that. That it was taken at the honeymoon.

No. It was not the usual x-rated offering from Pastor 'eat da poo poo'. Just a tame photo of two guys, one white, another black, grinning into a camera, hands over each others shoulders. No rings. No officiating pastor to the wedding. And, I happen to know that it was NOT in South Africa, the only place where they could have gotten their nuptials celebrated on the continent. It was in Uganda, which has a constitutional ban on same sex marriages since 1995.

 

Maybe the 'proof' was of a white man shamelessly inveigling a black man into a hug? Don't know.

But, that is Paul Kagaba and his ex-gay career.

So, why does he tell the lies?

Curious, curious, but, we would have to ask Paul about that. I know, many other kuchus have some pretty worse opinion of the gentleman that Ssempa has put up as the 'face of ex-gay Uganda'. But, I can only talk about what I have seen.

Yeah, I have heard him asserting that we 'recruit'. He asserted that he was inveigled into homosexuality by one of us, a teacher, when he was a student. He is also the supposed source of accurate information to the red rug, and, more recently, to the 'Rolling Stone'. For some reason that I have not yet known, (have pretty good surmises as to why), Paul Kagaba, under an alias, was offering to be friends to some of us on Facebook. No, I am kidding you not. And, he was a friend to some, till we discovered that it was our profile pics from facebook that ended up in the 'Rolling Stone'.

Paul is very good at some very naked, blunt lies. And, are we believed when we correct them? No way.

Because, Paul always utters those lies with Pastor Dr Ssempa nearby. As his henchman he confirms all the things that Dr Ssempa utters in the purity of his love for the homosexual Ugandan.

Pretty slick, that partnership. But, I am proud to say, Ugandans are slick!!!!!

gayuganda

Ex Gay Charades

Was browsing the web and came across this article.”“Ex-Gay” is Anti-Gay, Disguised as Compassion”

The article is well thought out. And well presented. Tales of wolves dressed in sheep's clothing. So called Christians who will move mountains to hurt people. Just because they believe.

Gay youth do have huge problems growing up in a world that happens to be homophobic. That is a given. But, there are some pretty sophisticated attempts to make sure that they never attain a proper understanding of who and what they are.

But, the situation that they write about is in the US. Suprise, suprise, a similar situation is coming up in Uganda.

Yet, Uganda being Uganda, it is more obvious, more tear jerking. And, the ego and political motivation of the perpetrators of evil is even more obvious.

Back in 2008, one of us, a kuchu, fell into the hands of Pastor Martin 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa. This is always a regretable event. Because, Ssempa's hate of a gay person is so open and violent that you would never wish for one to fall into his hands. Those of us who experience it from afar know that it is terrible.

The guy who fell into Ssempa's hands? George Oundo.

Poor guy. We used to call him Georgina. And, well, in my humble opinion, George is a kuchu. Far as I know. Born, not bred.

Anyway, he falls into Ssempa's hands. Because Ssempa has a charisma that is considerable. He dazzles many with his antics. And, few are the ones mature enough to look past the hate speech, the crocodile tears, the blatant 'come hither' smile and fake compassion that draws youths. He says he has a 'heart for youths'. He has a very political agenda to use them to further his ego.

George Oundo had a chat with Ssempa. Went on to chats, and, he was dazzled. Soon, he was praying hard to turn away from his homosexuality. I met him with books that 'explained everything' as he told me. He thought that he had found salvation. Turned to God. Turned away from the evil of homosexuality. And, found a mentor in Pastor Ssempa.

Now, the people at Exodus will tell you that it takes years, not so?

Pastor Ssempa had George Oundo primed and ready to do his hatchet job within months. Then came the Anti-Homosexuality Seminar that brought Lively and others to Uganda. And, Pastor Ssempa unveiled his weapon of weapons. George Oundo.

He made headlines. A bona fide homosexual. Ugandans had heard of the tribe, but, none had come out to accept that they were.

Oundo reveled in the limelight. He talked about what he had been. And, he talked about what he had become. All in the name of god, of course.

But, Oundo being Oundo, the stories were not enough. Lies to colour and bolster the thin story line were necessary.

The 'Homosexual Agenda' became a reality in his words. He had been a prominent promoter. Now, he was ready to tell all. And, he was given space. On radios, in newspapers. How he went to Nairobi to be trained. How he did 'recruitment'. Curiously, he seemed to have the language of Lively and co down pat.

It became a media frenzy.

And, sadly, George Oundo, finding himself without much to say, leaped onto the chance to 'out' people. All in the name of god. Of course. With the ever gleeful encouragement of the men of god.

Names of prominent people rolled off his tongue. And, the media was titillated. Father Musaala was one of them. And others of course. Yeah, 2009 was a very long first half of the year. I was here. I know. I did live through it.

Yet, it is not Oundo's betrayal which is my subject. Seated to the side of this ex-gay telling all, was none other than Pastor Ssempa. Yes, there were others besides Ssempa. Pastor Male, Pastor Steven Langa, and others. All prominent 'men of god'.

There was a wave of gay people getting 'saved', and confessing to all their misdeeds in the evil time when they were gay. And, always at their sides were the Pastors. Encouraging them to name more names. Yeah, I was named. So was my partner. At rallies, and on fm radios, and on televisions. The stories got juicier and juicier.

Imagine. In dear, deeply homophobic Uganda, ex-gay people were demanded to come out in conferences and religious gatherings to tell all. That, they had been gay. And, they had done horrible things. And, they had been gay with so and so.

I watched one rally on tv. It was Pastor Male then. Brought out these guys before the rally. They were clearly unconfortable. But, the dear Pastor was on rampage. Ready to prove to the world the saving power of his god, and the redeeming power of his love. Sinners, former homosexuals had to confess. And, with much encouragment they did. Before the huge congregation.

Poor condoms. They were used. Thoroughly used. And, dropped to the side.

George Oundo is no longer the face of 'ex-gay Uganda'. Because, he 'backslid', finding the homosexual life too much of a draw. So have many of the others.

Do I pity them? Well, I do have a soft heart. Forged in the fires of Uganda.

But, the question I continue to ask myself is, how merciless are the men of god supposed to be in their fight against homosexuality? They used them, and like condoms, dropped them.

Of course, these guys came in handy in the Pastor Wars. When Pastor Kayanja was accused of being homosexual. And Ssempa, Male and others produced the witnesses. Guys who had gone to them for counselling, and revealed the 'dark side' of Pastor Kayanja.

The police says that the good pastors actually bribed the guys to frame Pastor Kayanja. That is what the police said. Oh yes, this was even more interesting a soap opera because it was real life.

Ex Gay charades? Oh yes.

And, the compassion of pseudo Christians for the lives and well being of homosexuals. Ugh.

Lies were told, and, sanitized and blessed by the men of god. Let aside the 'eat da poo poo', names were named, and, without a thread of evidence, lampooned in the newspapers and everywhere else. Pastor Kayanja was rich enough to take on the anti-gay stampede and slow it to a halt. But, the damage was done.

What of the ex-gays?

From what I hear, George Oundo wants back. But, we are scared of him. He hurt us, in the name of his newly found god of course. But, he did hurt us.

The lies that he told when he knew that they were lies. Don't know what happened to his faith. Don't want to know. His business.

And the others?

This being Uganda, the charades are ongoing. See, Pastor Ssempa is still on his anti-Homosexuality crusade. And, he may not be able to hurt me overtly, but, doesnt mean that he will not try. He still is trying.

And, why, I am still telling this story.

gug

The Moral High Ground

I was over at the Throckmorton blog. There is a guy, a Ugandan. He calls himself Maazi, and he has taken it upon himself to educate these 'western gay lovers' on the pitfalls of their course of action. And, he asserts, in the name of the continent of Africa, how we shall not be intimidated into accepting the 'homosexual agenda'.

I have been kind of following the guy's seeming obsession. But, of a sudden I did lose my temper.

He is speaking in my name as an African. As a Ugandan. He discounts the fact that I am what I am, gay, African, Ugandan. Spouts hatred like it is a virtue. He is abusive, ignorant, arrogant. Certainly knows much less than the people he is debating, but, because he has a mouth, and a voice, he speaks. And very loudly.

Very similar to Ssempa. Pastor Dr 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa of infamous fame.

Ignorance is put on a pedestal and worshipped. The loudest, most demanding voice is listened too, because it is loud. And, the fact that it is stupid, ignorant, shameful is discounted. He seems to speak for me, as an African.

No. He doesnt. He shames me instead. He shames me as an African.

I came from commenting on the Throckmorton blog with the realization that we have to take back the moral high ground. The Ssempas of this world should be ridiculed as they richly deserve. Their ignorance, their hatred, their base vileness should be exposed for what it is. Thanks be to the deities that the 'eat da poo poo' monica went viral. He richly deserves the ridicule.

And, if he is stupid enough not to realise that he is showing off the paucity of his grey matter, well, it is his privilege.

In Africa, in Uganda, he seems to have the moral high ground. And, it is this piece of real estate that we should seize back from the likes of him. They are not moral, they are not Christians, the ones who want to kill and imprison whole parts of a populace, simply because they are different. The Ministers of 'Ethics and Integrity' who frankly believe that fellow human beings should forget about human rights, simply because they are homosexuals.

Yes, the Bahati's of this world should be exposed for what they are. Good that they were given the forum to do so. And, I did highlight his high lack of intellect. But, as we expose them, we should also claim the high ground by asserting their stupidity. For, that is what exactly it is. Stupidity. Crass ignorance. The worship of ignorance, in the name of ignorance. The deification of ideals, simply because a 'man of god' says so.

Saw this excellent article from the Independent. Ssempa, dear Dr 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa is the world's laughing stock. Nobody dealt that blow to him. No one but his very steps, his mouth that he opened wide, and wider and went on speaking, deeming charisma as enough of a substitute for ignorance. That is what he did.

Recently, however, Westerners have been learning more than usual about Ugandan culture. The reason for this is a YouTube video named “EAT DA POO POO,” which has been spreading virally over the internet. The video documents a series of anti-gay tirades by Ugandan Pastor, Dr. Martin Ssempa. Armed with explicit visual aids, Ssempa argues that what homosexuals do in the privacy of their bedrooms is simply far too disgusting to be protected by the law. Homosexual men, he claims, lick each other’s anuses like, “ice cream and even poo poo comes out...This one smears the poo poo all over the other one’s face.”

To date, the video has almost three million hits on YouTube, has spawned an auto-tune remix with some four-hundred-thousand hits, and is listed on Ebaum’s World, a popular archive of internet curiosities.

But, Ssempa deeply shames me. And, he shamed Uganda. As did Bahati, as he faithfully uttered what had been put in his mouth to say. Theirs is the infamy of proud ignorance.

Now, if I assert that not all Ugandans are like so, eyebrows will be raised.

But, I am a Ugandan. And true, even if I have had the luck to grow up feeling ashamed of what I am, I have to assert myself here. I am Ugandan, and, despite the pariah status of what I am, the antics of the likes of Ssempa, Bahati, Nsaba-Buturo and Maazi are deeply shameful.

It is simply matter of fact that not all Ugandans are that clueless. Not all of us are that impervious to common sense and knowledge. We don't all live back in the days of the Stone Age, glorifying ignorance as a virtue against the realities of knowledge and what the rest of the world knows as common sense.

We have to claim back the moral high ground from these nonsensical people. We simply have to.

gug

Sane Christianity

Know what, once upon a time, on this very blog, I used to be pretty bitter, angry on the subject of religion. Especially Christianity.

Hey, I was burnt. I had had it to the neck with un-Christian witness from Christians. The likes of Ssempa, Orombi, Male, and the rest of the ilk. People who believe that I am less that I should be, simply because I am gay.

Once upon a time, I was a Christian. Anglican.

Actually, far as I could find out, it was my paternal grandpa who was the first Christian in my family. So, very new faith, as for most Ugandans. But, he became one of the hard core 'savedees' after the East African revival of the 1940s. My father grew up in that home, and, for him I was a Christian because he gave me his Christian first name.

Yeah, and once, I made the choice of being saved, becoming an evangelical... like my elder brother, who is a pastor.

Well, I became bitter, and embittered, and later enraged by the seeming disconnect between reality and faith as I saw it. Now, I joy in standing on the fence... something which puzzles my bro, but, we all make our decisions. He is trying to woo me back to the safe fold. I am not convinced!

Well, I am also proudly gay. I am a homosexual.

So, living in Uganda, I have listened to the Church, Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical come out and lash at us with all their might, hold rallies, condemn us from the pulpit and pray for our death and destruction. Got to the point that my apathy had turned into a roaring, consuming anger. Against all things Christian.

But, like all hatreds, there have been a few people that have stood up to challenge my hatred. Christians. There is Desmond Tutu, of South Africa, and Christopher Ssenyonjo of Uganda, Bishops in the Anglican church. I find myself very much surprised by their fulsome embrace of what I am. No, I still respectfully decline the request to believe. Guess it is nothing but me responding to love, as opposed to hypocrisy and hate.

I have always followed the people at Exodus International. I am gay. Grew up in an environment when I was constantly bombarded with the wrongness of myself. I am glad I didnt embrace that kind of self deception. But, I do understand them, or, at least I think I do. After all, they are homosexual like I am... even when they deny it. What I don't understand is their apparent desire to hurt others, especially youths who are questioning. I know, it is deeply held convictions... so, maybe I understand. But, I am very glad that they can reverse themselves. Like they did in their support of their board member who came to preach Anti-homosexuality in Uganda. And, like they have done now, acknowledging that the 'Day of Truth' in opposition to the 'Day of Silence' was actually a promotion of hatred. Covert, misguided, and, in truth hurtful.

Sane Christians. Not like the Vatican, (forgive me partner), which fights tooth and nail to uphold doctrine over love....

And, there's Throckmorton. Very interesting guy. Yes, he is one of those sane Christians, for whom ideology doesnt seem to triumph over simple humanity. And he kind of finds that inspiration from the Bible that Ssempa, Orombi and co use to bash me.... hey, that is life!

Guess we are all different. No convenient thinking straight jackets, until we dress ourselves in them.

Take away lesson? Stereotypes, of any kind, never stand the light of examination.

What set me off? Younger bro. He was with me, trying to impress me with his 'nationalism'. Guess I was not impressed...!

gug

Logic IS relative

I am still feeling sick from the bombings. What is the death count now... 74 plus. All in the name of what? Fundamentalism and other kinds of isms.

Ok. The perceived lack of logic still irks me. I have to remember that 'logic is a perception'. Someone asked me about that.... well, my answer is, my 'logic' is someone else's illogic. I am sure the Al Shabaab guys from Somalia think it was very logical to kill 74 people from another country. Civilians watching a football match.

And, guess what, they must have knelt down and prayed to their god for a good operation. Those who wore the suicide vests believe that they are now holy martyrs?

The fact that they most likely faced Mecca for that last prayer is besides the point. I am sure there were Moslems amongst those who died and were maimed by the bombs.

Is their a sickness of mind greater than this kind of perversion? Ask the 74 who died.

~

To my usual fair. It is hard for me to believe that people can be friends with Martin Ssempa.

Friends with dear Ps. Dr. 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa?

That can be kind of hard, when you are aware of his abundant, less than Christian witness. He says it is Christian, and he is a celebrity and wowed in Uganda. But, his western friends have a bit of reconciling to do with the obvious lack of consistence in words and deeds. Or it might be the obvious fidelity of words to deeds in some....

A matter of opinion? Ssempa thinks that the Americans evangelists who run away from him are wimps. I am not American, and my interest in the American religious scene and cultural wars has not been much till the last nine months or so, but I do understand the less than nuanced difference between naked hate speech and what is politically correct. And, of course I am well aware of credentials tout 'HIV activism' with a rabid anti-gay stance.

What am I going on about? A friend of one of Ssempa's friends has terminated their co-operation because of the latter's association with Ssempa.

Understandable. If you are working with gay men on HIV issues, it would not be a nice thing to be friends with Ssempa who hates gay men. Here is the link.

Southern Nevada Health District severed ties with Canyon Ridge Christian Church over their support for Martin Ssempa

But, you also need to understand why these guys believe that they should be friends with Ssempa.

Kevin Odor, the senior pastor there, says Ssempa has been "misrepresented."

"His heart is not to kill people," Odor says. "He is a pastor of the Gospel that believes in redemption and his heart is to redeem people."

Odor says Canyon Ridge began supporting Ssempa's huge campus ministry, which preaches abstinence to college students, in 2007. Odor says he does not "personally" endorse the death penalty or life sentences for gay men and lesbians. Asked why he would support someone who does, he sighs.

"We want to help the AIDS problem in Africa, and we found somebody who is making a difference," he says. "So we support him."

Odor says in March — after Canyon Ridge leaders talked to Ssempa — the Ugandan minister reversed himself and now says he favors removing the death penalty from the bill, though he still wants to criminalize homosexuality. As recently as February, Ssempa told a television interviewer: "If you do not want the death penalty for pedophiles, what punishment do you want otherwise?"

Ssempa's turnaround satisfied Odor, and he sees no reason to condemn the minister. Nor does he think he should denounce the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

"Why do we, as a church in America, need to say something about a bill in Uganda?" he asks.

Well, according to Canyon Ridge church, Martin Ssempa is a saint who has been grossly misrepresented. By the likes of people like gayuganda, who since they are gay cannot speak anything that approximates to truth, especially when it impacts a 'man of god'.

Check out the comments on that article and related ones.

---

From Ghana comes a law professor's digestion of the law on 'unnatural sex' which Uganda, as a former British colony, shares with Ghana. All anal sex, [even heterosexual anal sex] is not 'natural'. Cheeky me would love to point out that even masturbation would be un-natural... uh?

Couples or any other consenting adults who have sex through any other 'route' other than through the vagina are flouting the laws of Ghana.

This was revealed by a lawyer and criminologist, Prof. Ken Attafuah, in an interview on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Thursday.

He cited section 104 of the Criminal Code of Ghana which states that “unnatural sex”- sex through any part of the body other than through the vagina- is considered illegal.

“If two consenting adults engage in anal sex, under our law it is unnatural carnal knowledge; if married people do that, it is illegal,” he stated.

“Natural carnal knowledge is per vaginum. It is sexual intercourse between a man and a woman of adult, approved age but through the vagina. If it is through other places, then it is unnatural sex.”

That, he said, is a strict "old-fashioned" interpretation of the law.

He was speaking on the topic of homosexuality after a Joy FM documentary, 'Trapped In A Closet' explored in detail a topic which has been clouded with emotions, passions and morality.

Whilst homosexuality may also fall under unnatural sex, Prof. Attafuah maintains that the constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of the citizens, including sexual orientation, thereby creating a conundrum as to whether homosexuality is legal or not.

Seems apparent that the debate is happening in Ghana. But, compared to Uganda, it is much more balanced, and civil. Oh, Uganda is special; the un-naturalness of homosexuality is considered a truth that needs no debate... There is no other side to that discussion.

My take on this natural and un-natural sex is, let the government get out of the bedroom. That is a little too much, having police and government mandated to determine what is 'natural and un-natural' sex. Just get out of the bedrooms of consenting adults. I doubt even heterosexual married couples in Uganda would like Minister of Ethics/Integrity, Hon Buturo to tell them what to do or not to do in bed. [missionary position only, please...]

Hope your day has been good.

Be well

gug