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Anti-homosexuality turns to violence in Uganda
4:00 am Jul 22 - by Rebecca Halleck – buzz Writer
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If you have ever felt that for every step forward the world takes, it seems to take five steps back, look no further than Uganda for proof. Recently, the East African country passed one of the strictest anti-homosexuality laws in the world. The new legislation prohibits not only consensual sex between individuals of the same sex but also requires those with knowledge of homosexual relationships to report such relationships to the police. As of now, the punishment for consensual sex can be up to seven years in prison and a heavy fine, though the punishment for sex deemed as “aggravated homosexuality” can equal the death penalty or life imprisonment. Those living with HIV and those considered to be a “serial offender” will now find themselves facing the same charge that includes sex with minors or sex forced by a parent or person of authority.
Sadly, the law effects not just LGBT persons living in Uganda but the entire population. Friends or advocates on behalf of LGBT individuals will also be breaking the law by protecting loved ones, and health care providers will be forced to choose between patient confidentiality and losing their medical license.
The legislation seems to also have a disturbing connection to the spreading evangelical faith in Uganda. A number of United States Pastors and religious organizations, such as Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life", and the Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas, have been staunch advocates for this piece of legislation and, consequently, the spreading of homophobia throughout the country. With the new law in place and local Uganda religious advisors such as Pastor Martin Ssempa openly calling for violence against LGBT individuals, homophobia has accelerated to genocide.
In late June an Integrity Uganda volunteer and LGBT activist named Pasikali Kashusbe went missing. Then, after a month of searching, authorities were able to identify Kashube after finding his dismembered torso and head in separate open latrines.
“Clearly the situation makes all of us in the LGBT community sick,” said Phil Reese, secretary of the Champaign-Urbana Up Center (a local group of LGBT advocates), when asked about the law.
Even though Uganda is half a world away and seems unrelated to our lives here in the CU, Reese said, “The whole community needs to be outraged by this, because as Dr. King said, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’”
Reese went on to say that “far right groups like ‘The Family,’ the notorious C-Street house in Washington DC […] need to answer for their connections to this anti-gay conference that was held in Uganda in advance of this law getting passed” as the conference was a large part of forming and passing this controversial legislation.
Ravi Bhatia, a student of the University of Illinois majoring in broadcast journalism, also believes that the connection between American Pastors and missionaries needs to be examined.
“I personally don’t believe that Pastors or missionaries or any religious figures should force their opinions or moral structure on developing countries,” said Bhatia. “They shouldn’t have the power to influence their laws.”
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