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Cabinet Minister storms LGBT meeting

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:59:29 +0100

By Fred Muwanguzi Minister of ethics and integrity a catholic priest Simon Lukodo who said nobody would block the anti homosexuality bill on valentine's day tuesday stormed and ordered for the arrest of some members who had gathered for capacity building workshop at the Imperial Resort Hotel, later he blocked the LGBT conference some us narrowly survived being arrested and had to flee for our dear lives.
He ordered the management of the five star hotel ,Imperial Resort Beach Hotel to kick us outside and the police to arrest some members on ground that we were promoting gayism.
He told us that what we are practicing is illgeal and unacceptable in Uganda. He told us to disperse immediately and
these were his words
' As a minister of ethics, i have today decided to close this conference because it's illegal. Homosexuality is not allowed in Uganda, pack your bags and go home now. He even accused us of recuriting children into gaylife.Those that tried to resist were arrested.
Minister Lokodo is using the current law of crime against natural order and its seems what Minister Lokodo 's trying to do is to preempt, the yet to be passed the Anti Homosexuality act which is set to target the promotion of homosexuality
After we had left and gone into hiding, i was later told by a friend working at the hotel that Lokodo grilled the hotel manager for allowing the secret meeting yet they knew that it was aganist the law. The hotel staff had to kneel begging for mercy, He later pardoned them on condition that they will never allow us again.He went further threaten punitive action if his orders were to be disobeyed in future.This will not deter us from fighting for our rights i know that this battle may involve sacrifice

US PRESIDENT OBAMA ORDER'S FAR REACHING PRO GAY FOREIGN POLICY

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:25:53 +0100

By Joy President Obama ordered U.S. diplomatic missions and federal agencies working abroad to strengthen efforts to fight international discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals, saying he is “deeply concerned by the violence” against them in many parts of the world.

This memo was delivered simultaneously with a speech being given by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on Human Rights in Geneva. (see recording below)

The memo elevates the importance of combating discrimination against the LGBT community within Obama’s foreign policy. The issue is an important one to a key element of Obama’s political base, and the move strengthens the argument he is building that he has done more to end the ostracism experienced by the LGBT community, at home and abroad, than his predecessors.

The memo directs all “agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons.”

Combat the criminalization of LGBT status or conduct abroad.
Protect vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers.
Leverage foreign assistance to protect human rights and advance nondiscrimination.
Ensure swift and meaningful U.S. responses to human rights abuses of LGBT persons abroad.
Engage International Organizations in the fight against LGBT discrimination.

Building on pro-gay policies put in place by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Obama today ordered overseas federal agencies to fight local anti-gay violence and provide asylum to homosexuals seeking protection.

Obama said, “I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world — whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation.”

Specifically, the directive orders those agencies to step up efforts to combat the criminalization of homosexuality in other countries, protect LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, work with foreign governments, human rights organizations and other groups to promote LGBT equality, and create a “standing group” within the State Department to ensure the government reacts quickly to threats to the rights of gays and lesbians.

“Sec. 2. Protecting Vulnerable LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Those LGBT persons who seek refuge from violence and persecution face daunting challenges. In order to improve protection for LGBT refugees and asylum seekers at all stages of displacement, the Departments of State and Homeland Security shall enhance their ongoing efforts to ensure that LGBT refugees and asylum seekers have equal access to protection and assistance, particularly in countries of first asylum. In addition, the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security shall ensure appropriate training is in place so that relevant Federal Government personnel and key partners can effectively address the protection of LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, including by providing to them adequate assistance and ensuring that the “Federal Government has the ability to identify and expedite resettlement of highly vulnerable persons with urgent protection needs. “

The federal agencies affected include the State, Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services departments, among others.

Obama linked the directive to his statement before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this year, when he said, “No country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere.”

This critical move by the Obama administration is cause for celebration, especially at a time when violence against LGBTI people is on the increase, through the institutionalization of discriminatory laws, such as the criminalization of homosexuality in Africa.

These past months gay communities in Africa have seen an increase in institutionalized homophobia, as governments across the continent seek to quash homosexuality. The Nigerian Senate succeeded in passing a sweeping criminalization bill, Cameroon handed down prison sentences for three gay men based on a perception of being gay and Uganda’s house speaker has tabled the far reaching Anti-homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as the Kill-the-Gays-Bill.

Ugandan Bishop speaks out for gay people

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 03:10:17 +0100

By Joy EDINBURGH, Bishop Christopher Senjonyo from Uganda, a courageous advocate of the rights and dignity of LGBT people in Africa, is speaking at three events in the 2011 Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and Peace this weekend.
As Uganda considered a bill that would make homosexuality a capital offence, Bishop Christopher was one of those in the church who stood out against the anti-gay tide and campaigned against what he calls ‘sexual apartheid’.
As a result he has been the target of death threats and condemnations from government and community but vows to continue his counselling and advocacy work.
The bishop will engage in a public Question & Answer session after the 17:45 showing of the film ‘Coming Out’, which examines the plight of gay people in Africa today, at the Filmhouse Cinema, Edinburgh, on Friday 12 August.
On Saturday 13 August, from 12:30, he will be interviewed at St John’s Church, Edinburgh, by John Watson from Amnesty International at a meeting entitled ‘The Worst Place in the World to Be Gay?’
Bishop Christopher then preaches at Evensong at St John’s Episcopal Church at 6pm on Sunday 14 August.
“The debate about sexuality within the churches has often been mean and vituperative. Much more attention needs to be paid to those like Bishop Christopher Senjonyo, who articulate a strong Christian case for compassion and justice towards the persecuted LGBT minority in Africa, both inside and outside the churches,” commented Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia.
Bishop Christopher Senjonyo was last year named by the Huffington Post as one of the ‘ten most influential religious figures in the world’.

Transsexual woman molested, hospitalised for "looking abnormal"

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:43:23 +0100

By Sebowa

A Ugandan transsexual woman, Ms Beyonce has made a desperate call to Uganda Police for protection from public molestation, including physical beatings for allegedly “looking abnormal.”

Ms Beyonce, who was born Benjamin Tushabe, in an interview with Behind the Mask on July 3, in Kampala said she has been molested five times in less than two months.

“I have consulted the doctors at Mulago (the national referral hospital in Kampala) to under go a sex change. But they all look at me like I am weird. Yet I have never felt like I am a man,” Ms Beyonce said.

She said on more than two occasions, she had beaten unconscious at Kisementi, an upscale Kampala recreation centre, by bouncers who said she “looked abnormal.”

Ms Florence, one of Ms Beyonce’s friends said the trans woman had been beaten into a coma at Club Iguana for not dressing like a man. “They dragged her from the toilets upstairs and threw her out in the cold. Then the bouncer shouted at her to go home and put on men’s shoes, yet she is not a man.”

Ms Florence, is currently sheltering Ms Beyonce after her landlord recently evicted her from her rental house in Mutungo, a Kampala suburb for “not looking like a man.” Ms Florence said Ms Beyonce was later treated at Kadic Hospital for bruises and chest pain complaints.

There is total ignorance about transgender and intersex people in Uganda. Many people are informed by anti-gay sentiments fuelled by evangelical Christian pastors, calling for the killing of gays and trans people and through laws including the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 that was introduced in Ugandan parliament last year. The bill expired with the expiry of the 8th Parliament after the February 2011 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, but homophobes and transphobes are pushing for it to be reintroduced for debate.

Mr Niki Mawanda, a trans people’s activist said that he was saddened by the attacks. Mawanda, a trans man who leads an organization for trans people’s rights and recognition in Uganda, the Transgender, Intersex and Transsexuals Ug (T.I.Ts Uganda) said there is an urgent need for public education on trans peoples rights in Uganda.

He however said it was not surprising that Ms. Beyonce had been attacked given the increasing levels of mob justice in Uganda.

“People have less confidence in the Judiciary. So mobs choose to punish some people to death based on any suspicion,” Mr Mawanda said.

He noted that Ms Beyonce, a self confessed sex worker, was more predisposed to attacks because of who she is. Mawanda called for an interlinking with human rights advocacy on trans women and sex work.

“Her being a sex worker attracts more attention, even from fellow sex workers. Some people choose to beat her for thinking she is a homosexual, even if she may not be,” Mr. Mawanda said.

He added that T.I.Ts Uganda is doing its best to educate the public on trans people’s rights, and called on other human rights organization, including LGBTI groups to streamline trans people’s education within their programmes.

Mr. Mawanda said it is difficult for trans people to get equal access at health facilities in Uganda, especially those funded by the government. “They look at you with insulting eyes. They ask you humiliating questions,” Mr. Mawanda added.

At an April meeting of transsexual women in Eastern and Southern Africa organized by SIPD Uganda and Gender Dynamix, a South African transsexual people’s rights organisation in Kampala in April 2011, a number of transsexual people spoke of the challenges they faced in society and urged the creation of safe spaces for trans people.

Some trans people noted that it was difficult for them to obtain travel documents like passports. Others said they are deported when they travel within the Great Lakes region countries when immigration officers say they look weird. One of the participants said that landlords often do not want to rent rooms to trans people in Uganda.
In a report released June 28, in Kampala on the Human Rights situation in the country by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), the commission noted of the “ grave” abuse of rights of Ugandan women based on their sexuality and sexual orientation.

The report urged Uganda government to take deliberate steps on public education about sexual orientation to scale back hate crimes and violence on alleged or actual homosexuals.

Homosexuals still fearful even after the government dropping the anti gay bill

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:35:24 +0100

Uganda anti gay hold placards and chant slogans during an anti-homosexuality protest rally in Jinja, town june, 2011.East Homosexuality has become a more contentious topic in Uganda and Africa

By Joy

JINJA TOWN, A lesbian woman in Walukuba East, touches the scar tissue starting to form between her nose and lip. The small, sturdily built woman was attacked last week outside her gate by two men she believes followed her home from a bar. They punched her repeatedly and when she tried to get away they said, “Come back; we’re not finished with you. You are spoiling our children!”and even threatened to kill her if she does not leave she recalled.

Since the October 2009 introduction in parliament of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, a proposal that called for the execution of some homosexuals, enduring accusations of “recruiting” the nation’s youth and suffering physical attack “is what it takes to be a lesbian and a gay in Uganda,

As she was being beaten, said , “I kept thinking, what would have happened if the bill had been passed? of recent one of her friend was chased away from the house by the landlord wheh he learnt that he was agay

“We are not going to relax;

Since the first proposal of the law, gays and lesbians in the country say they have faced increased harassment.

In late January, David Kato, a prominent gay rights activist was bludgeoned to death in Uganda after his picture was printed on the cover of the tabloid newspaper Rolling Stone, which outed several gays under the headline “Hang Them.”

There was a lot of advocacy by the promoters of the bill, using a lot of hate language and this increased discrimination and harassment of LGBT people

Gays and lesbians have faced eviction, job loss and physical and verbal assault this has increased of recent .

Before the introduction of the bill, homosexuals lived in relative peace in Uganda. In fact, many people were unaware of their presence in what is a conservative, predominately Christian society.

But when the bill was brought to parliament, said Jay, “That is when people started getting curious. [Advocates of the bill] took it upon themselves to describe us, saying they look like this, they dress like this. People used to think that if you dressed like this then you were a sports girl,” ,who wears a Levi’s T-shirt, baggy jeans and a baseball cap over her braids.

Now, “Everyday you hear something has happened to someone. There is a group of people who live here who bill only pray for a chance to do things [to gays], a agay was asked to leave her apartment a couple of months ago when her landlord and neighbours became aware she was gay to protect their children we do not feel any safer even though parliament dropped the anti homosexuality