Computer hacking. A leaked document from gay activists’ private strategy meeting. Military aid in jeopardy. Activists pursuing court action on two continents. Nobel Prize winners expressing solidarity. A first-ever HIV clinic for LGBTs. Uganda has seen all those in recent days as it has become a cauldron of activity both for homophobes and for activists … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Protests greet Bulgarian call to stone Pride Parade marchers
Human rights activists are trying to prevent violence from breaking out in response to a Bulgarian Orthodox priest’s suggestion that onlookers should stone participants in the fifth annual Pride Parade, scheduled for June 30 in Sofia, Bulgaria. In an interview published on June 6, Fr. Evgeni Yanakiev told the Bulgarian newspaper Standart that throwing stones … Continue reading
Malaysia official: Constitution does not protect LGBTs
A leading official in the Malaysian government told the Malaysian parliament that the country’s constitution does not protect the rights of LGBT citizens. During the parliament’s June 19 question-and-answer session, Mashitah Ibrahim, deputy minister in the prime minister’s office, said being LGBT goes against both Islam and the constitution, which makes Islam Malaysia’s official religion. … Continue reading
Thugs + parliament = repression of gays in Ukraine
Violence and the potential for increased political repression continue to confront LGBT people in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. A second gay rights activist was viciously beaten last week. That followed the May 20 beating of gay-rights leader Svyatoslav Sheremet, who was set upon by thugs minutes after he announced the cancellation of a gay pride … Continue reading
Uganda official again vows ‘crackdown on these gays’
Three days after signing a statement agreeing to allow gay-friendly groups to meet in Uganda, the country’s ethics minister reverted to his previous hand-line stance. In an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo vowed to continue disrupting LGBT rights meetings, the South African Press Agency reported. “We will continue a crackdown on these … Continue reading
U.S. support for ‘architect of homophobia in East Africa’
COMMENTARY As the Church of Uganda elects its next archbishop, the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle examines the connections between outgoing Archbishop Henry Orombi, a key backer of Uganda’s so-called “Kill the Gays” bill, and his wealthy American supporters. In his RGOD2 column, “Architect of homophobia in East Africa retiring in a ‘Field of Blood,’ “ … Continue reading
Uganda’s new archbishop is homophobic, maybe less harsh
The Anglican church in Uganda has elected a new archbishop to replace strident anti-homosexuality advocate Henry Orombi, who will retire in December. The new archbishop-elect is Stanley Ntagali, who is currently bishop of the Masindi-Kitara diocese of the Church of Uganda. Like Orombi, Ntagali is anti-gay, but the men’s views aren’t identical. Orombi has been … Continue reading
In rebuke, Uganda says gays will be allowed to meet
The Ugandan government is backing away, at least publicly, from ethics minister Simon Lokodo’s recent crackdowns on meetings of people seeking recognition of LGBT rights as human rights. In a government statement today (June 22) that Lokodo signed, Uganda said it does not discriminate against people “of a different sexual orientation.” “No government official is … Continue reading
Ukraine will soon act on ‘gay propaganda’ bill
The Ukrainian parliament reportedly will soon take up a proposed law against “homosexual propaganda.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports: Lawmakers in Ukraine’s parliament are expected to soon be debating a draft law against the spreading of “homosexual propaganda” among minors. Parliament announced on June 19 that a draft on the subject had been submitted by … Continue reading
Faith leaders, rights activists blast Uganda’s ‘baseless’ raid
The Ugandan police raid on a human rights meeting on June 18 not only had “no basis whatsoever in law” but also encourages violence against LGBT people, international human rights groups and faith-based advocates say. The disrupted meeting, attended by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists, was organized by the East and Horn of … Continue reading
