Small, Sweet Victory

Small, Sweet Victory

Today marks a milestone in gay rights in Uganda. A small milestone, nevertheless, one which is to be celebrated.

It may be brief, it may be short, it may be transient. But, it is a small sweet victory which demands celebration. You know about the new paper, 'Rolling Stone' with the 'Hang Them' campaign in Uganda.

Well, first, the rug was not registered. And, that would have gone by without any comment, until the rug decided to play to popular hate, and start an 'expose and hang them' campaign on Uganda's gay community.

It was a shot to the gut, when it first occurred. Our names. Our pictures. The usual lies, and, the 'Hang Them' headlines.

We are the evil to be cleansed from the good in Uganda's people. At least the Anti-Homosexuality Bill goes for a more subtle methods. Some due process. And then, life in prison and death. But, the rug was clear and to the point. 'Hang Them'.

Gay people are in Uganda. But, we are a barely coherent community. A hostile environment has not bred a cohensive community. We are a fractured, often quarreling community. Those with much to lose do their best to stay below the radar. And, we do. Very succesfully.

But, the attacks in the recent years have been unprecedented. And, we are organising.

So, when the Rolling Stone came out, the shame which we were used to had turned into a hard anger.

People wanted to sue. Not least because full frontal photos of them were in the papers. Nothing like the subterfuge of a mis-identification. They informed lawyers and allies, who decided that it was possible. Found out that the rug was not registered.

The media council put the first stop to the publication. Because we complained.

Then, the rug did register officially. Uh, and, they informed us, via facebook posts, that they would be going ahead to publish more of our names and pictures. Here they are, courtesy of Box Turtle Bulletin. 

[Sorry, despite the 25M USD that Nsaba Buturo promised, I havent seen a dime of it. Still a poor man... with high expectations, of course. you know these banks...]

And, we also went ahead. Today, we secured a court injuction restraining the Rolling stone people. The judge apparently thought it a no brainer.

Uganda's Rolling Stone paper told to stop outing gays

The two-month-old newspaper says it will continue printing the photos in a "diplomatic" way

A judge in Uganda has ordered the local Rolling Stone newspaper to stop publishing the names and photographs of people it says are homosexual.

The judge granted a request by gay rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug).

The group says some homosexual people were attacked after a previous issue.

A small, sweet, victory.

And, yes, I am not saying that the victory of Victor Mukasa in the court case of was not significant. It was. But, this is something else. We are growing. By leaps and bounds. We are growing. And, it is a small sweet victory.

gug

Monday morning Blues

Very bright early morning. Monday morning.

The day promises to be hot. Bright, livid hot. But, that may be only a promise for an afternoon rainstorm. For now, the skies are almost clear of cloud. Just stragglers here and there. I am awake and happy. Spent a good night in the arms of my lover.

The weekend...

Not without its drama, especially at the end.

Went out to a popular place Sunday eve. Met other guys there. Kuchus. Had a good time. Ogling, (of course), goofing off, being by turns kind, and serious cruel to one another. Gay guys in gay conversation. It was fun.

But later, the entertainer decided to spoil our evening. There we were, seriously patronising their place, and they decide to do a bit of preaching. A song, by a local artist, against gay people. Abali b'ebisiyaga.

No. Didnt feel edified. My money, my time, had come for my enjoyment, not to be told what I should or should not be. And, what the hell, what does that kind of preaching have to do in a bar?

But, this is Uganda. And, such things are common.

We might soon turn into Jamaica. Casual violence against gay people justified. In balads and popular songs.

My partner was pissed off. Sought out the manager. Told her, you know what, even gay people here are spending their hard earned money. Better put up a sign post 'Heterosexuals Only' at the gate.

Sigh.... No, the last was my addition. In thoughts.

We left soon afterwards. Disgruntled, not a little.

Later in the evening, we learnt that at least 3 rugs of newspapers have decided to 'out' more of us.

Now, this is Uganda, but, I still am flabbergasted. Why is my sexuality such an issue?

Fact, the papers do write about us, because it sells. People kind of want to know about us, and they are fed the most ludicrous lies, without a problem. No, nobody checks Mr Giles Muhame when he publishes our photos with the caption 'Hang Them'. They believe that we are out to 'recruit' their children. The politicians and religious leaders agree on how dangerous we are, to some 'moral fibre' of the country.

Muhame, of the stopping stone, has us out again. Am informed that about 20 pics. Havent seen the damn paper. Should I buy it? I am of the opinion that I shouldnt. Simply putting money into the pocket of a man who wants to hang me is not something that I want to do. But, I do want to know who has been 'outed'...

But, it is kind of curious. Why this campaign to out and hang us? Why at this particular time? Why now, especially when campaigns for presidential and parliamentary elections have just started?

Forgive me if I feel a bit jittery that there is an underhand in what is happening. We kuchus are too convenient a distraction for corrupt, inefficient politicians. For one reason, we can barely hit back.

But, today, kuchus are hitting back. Those who were outed before. They served notice, and, today at ten, something is happening at the court. Some people are asserting that, they may be 'alleged homosexuals' but, they are also citizens of this country. Don't know the legal details. But, I do know that I support them.

I mean, our celebrity status is not enough to make it to the hangman's noose, or lynching by enraged mobs. Or, pawns in some uncertain politician's game.

Of course, that reaction sets us up again. The papers will have more to write, and, those of us exposed can, and will be targets. But, desperate times demand desperate actions. It is a war that we will ultimately win. The skirmishes and battles are something that we have to go through. And, there shall be casualties.

I will get to know the names of those outed. I will pull, and push for the courts to restrain the stupid rugs.

Anger is a terrible weapon. But, I sense it in us. Because, we are scared, running, cornered. We might hit back inappropriately. Our livelihoods, our very lives are in balance.

gug

Congo, and of course Ugandan Hate Speech

Is Saturday.

And, am having fun, relaxing at home. Enjoying a day off. Why not, seems like I have been too used to working weekends to adjust to off weekends.

Which, inevitably means that have to kind of reel in the thirst for going online. So, promise to myself. First, am writing this, then am going to take a very long walk through the lush countryside, walk the dusty roads, inhale the dust, ogle men on the streets. [Note: Ugandan men are beautiful. Bite me, but I am gay.....!]

Seriously, just want to take a long relaxing walk unwinding. For the week was a bit heavier than I expected. And, I need the time off.

But first, remember the 'words' post? I listened to Giles Muhame, and I was kind of disgusted. There should be a limit to hate speech. Or, is that limitation of the right to free speech?

But, amongst the thorns are some pearls for me. Like here, when he tells us what exactly is being planned. Weekly outings... uh.

Rolling Stone, ran a cover story with the headline: "100 pictures of Uganda's top homos leak."

A smaller banner headline had only two words: "Hang them."

The paper printed photographs of 11 Ugandan men and women it said were gay in that first issue but says it now intends to serialise the story -- printing profiles of 10 to 15 gay people a week until it has outed the full 100.

Of the 11 featured at least four say they have since been attacked.

Giles Muhame, editor of the fledgling paper with a circulation of just 2,000, is unrepentant and says he is protecting the moral fabric of the east African nation.

"I can assure you that we will continue to publish these photos of homosexuals," the 22-year-old told Reuters. "There is no doubt about that."

As to why he published the paper, and showed the photos of people, with the word 'Hang Them' above it, here is his explanation.

"We called the paper Rolling Stone because it is a stone that is rolling and bringing out the evil in society. If people are promoting homosexuality then the stone is going to knock on their door and smoke them out," Muhame says, laughing.

He says it was not his intention that members of the public would attack the people featured in the newspaper, despite publishing their addresses.

"We published the areas where they live so that counsellors could find them and help them," he says. "We want a death penalty introduced for homosexuals who are trying to brainwash children but we don't want the public to attack them."

To that bit of nonsense, the only possible answer is, 'Yeah, Right!' Just too flabergasting a justification to be taken seriously. But, Muhame, being a well educated young fella, feels it does justice to his sense of intelligence. Salute!

----

And, journalists being journalists, they do ask questions. Of the likes of Minister Nsaba-Buturo. And, he answers the questions. As well as is politically expedient from him. And, here is his answer as to whether or not the 'Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009' will see the light of day. The kill the gays bill of Uganda. Here is his reply.

It was quietly shelved under the pressure, but rights groups suspect it may be passed after elections in February that Museveni is expected to win.

"It has to be debated under our law," Ethics Minister Nsaba Buturo told Reuters. "I am confident it will be passed but with amendments, for example on the issue of death penalty. I don't believe that is the way to go."

Buturo said a provision for jail sentences may be included in the legislation but that counselling would also be available should gay people want to repent.

–

In the DRC, Zaire, or Congo Kinshasha, there is also a law in the parliament. Seems not to be as radical as Uganda's very own bill (repent or be killed).

Congo Kinshasa discusses criminalising gays

The Kinshasa parliament is in the process of discussing legislation that will prohibit homosexuality, or "unnatural sexual practices." But the debate climate in Congo is much calmer than in neighbouring Uganda.

According to reports in the government-close Kinshasa newspaper 'La République', Congolese MP Ejiba Yamapia is currently gathering support for a bill formulated by him that would forbid certain "unnatural sexual practices," including same-sex relations.

Congo Kinshasa (DRC), along with most Central and West African nations, does not have any legislation regarding the country's sexual minorities. This is mostly due to the fact that homosexuality is an issue not known to the general population, as same-sex relations typically find other manifestations in traditional cultures.

So, a much saner debate, is it?

Why is my sexuality such a threat to people out there? Don't know.

Well, at least the Congolese can blame Ugandans....!

Well, well, well. My day can be spoilt by all this endless speculation. Giles Muhame is supposed to meet the guys he 'outed' in a court of law on Monday. Maybe something will come of that....! Well, apparently, he didnt publish 'illegaly' as he had promised because of that.... maybe. Who can guess at the workings of that guy's mind?

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....!

Tutu's Message to the UN

This was a while ago.


But, the advocacy from Desmond Tutu has been so consistent, and his words to me are such a beacon of hope in a world where I am condemned by fellow Africans that I have to revisit them.


Picking them from this website. Putting the whole here. And, I also reiterate, to those in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who want to criminalise the love of fellow country people.

His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Video message for United Nations panel:

"Ending Violence and Criminal Sanctions based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity."

My dear friends,

Today I appeal to our common humanity. The proud ideals of the United Nations are equality, dignity and respect for all, a goal that unites us across our great diversity.

All over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are persecuted. They face violence, torture and criminal sanctions because of how they live and who they love. We make them doubt that they too are children of God - and this must be nearly the ultimate blasphemy.

In South Africa, we struggled for years against the evil system of apartheid that divided human beings, children of the same God, by racial classification and then denied many of them fundamental human rights. Thankfully, the world supported us in our struggle for freedom and dignity. I am proud that in South Africa, when we finally won the chance to build a new Constitution, we included sexual orientation in our laws, because we knew from our bitter experience that an injury to one is an injury to all.

Once again, however, people are being denied fundamental rights and freedoms. Gay men have been jailed and humiliated, transgender people attacked, lesbians raped. Our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters across Africa and elsewhere are living in fear. And they are living in hiding -- away from care, away from the protection the State should offer to every citizen and away from health care, when all of us, especially Africans, need access to essential HIV services.

This wave of hate must stop.

Sexual orientation, like skin colour, is a feature of our diversity. How sad it is that when God's children are facing such massive problems - poverty, disease, corruption, conflict - we are so often obsessed with human sexuality. Is there not already too much hate in this world, without seeking to persecute those who love?

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are part of so many families. They are part of the human family. They are part of God's family. And of course they are part of the African family.

You, at the United Nations, have a particular role to play. You have a responsibility. Whenever one group of human beings is treated as inferior to another, hatred and intolerance will triumph.

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people - they are our sons and daughters, our family and friends, our colleagues and co-workers. They are equal members of the human family whose rights you have sworn to uphold.

Those who face hatred, violence and criminal sanctions look to you for leadership, they look to you for protection, they look to you for recognition of their right to equal dignity and respect.

Do not fail them.

You must stand up for the principles of universal humanity and fellowship. Exclusion is never the way forward on our shard paths to freedom and justice.

Long day

Has been a long day.

Woke up in my love's hands. Nothing is as good as that....

Out of the house, walk to work, day bright. But, pregnant grey skies later in the day.

Was a heavy day at work. Sometimes it is busier than others. And, came home to pumping a bit more adrenaline.

The things that I do for activism.... we do, actually. Partner included.

What motivates us? Why are we courageous?

Because, we are human beings. Because, deep inside us, we cannot find it in ourselves to condemn ourselves just because we differ from our neighbours. I was asked, are you proud that you are gay?

I felt a pause in my mind, and asked myself, am I proud that I am a human being? I am gay, and African. I am gay, and Ugandan. It is just part of my identity. And, even if I am hanged, or sentenced to die, or held up to ridicule in the village square, I will not shade the pride in what I am. I am gay, I am African, I am Ugandan. That is what I am.

It is not pride. It is a simple statement of being. That is what I am. That is what we are.

And, as for those who feel that we transgress because we do say what we are, because we don't have the same scornful shame for who and what we are?

It is not my problem. My problem is realising what I am, and holding my pride aloft.

Yes, I know. There are many who will crucify me, shame me for what I am. That will not change me. I am proud of being who and what I am.

Of my detractors. Some do it for personal gain. Like Pastor 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa. But, he is proving toxic to friends of his.

I must not take credit for the guy's monumental ego. And, the toxicity that he spreads to friends and enemies alike is something that comes deep from the midden heap of his heart.  Here are some friends of his feeling the heat. But these guys repudiated him and his push for the 'Kill the Gays Bill'. They are being crucified for past association.

I write a lot about religion on this blog. Why?

I mean, I am not religious. Matter of fact, I insist on my right not to identify with any religion. But, in Uganda, not being religious is something funny. Just read this article in Time. Debating God in a God-Fearing Country.

When it comes to poverty, disease, corruption, issues of sexuality and tribal tensions, most Ugandans believe they need God's help. Even during the weekday lunch hour, they can be found filing into the capital's churches, lifting their hands to the heavens and swaying in time to Christian rock bands and dapper pastors promising salvation. A study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that 97% of Ugandans are believers, and the fact that professions of atheism are invariably met with incredulity has prompted most of Uganda's freethinkers to keep their skepticism in the closet.

And, I talk a lot about religion here, because it is the most cruel reason that people, fellow Ugandans use to persecute me. They want to kill me because it is in the Public Interest. And, the religious leaders agree.

I have not been to those heady discussions.... don't know why. Maybe I should? One of these days, when am bored enough!

But, seriously, I do have to engage, and know about religion in Uganda. Because, I have to be able to confront those who challenge me on that. Because, even as a non-believer, I have to stand up to my right to life.

Amazing. And, increadibly necessary.

My love has brought dinner to the table. I am still in the computer... no. Will have to stop here.

Hope your day is good.

gug