GayUganda

Cautious Hope?

2009-12-02T06:14:00.003+03:00

Sometimes I surf the waves, just to skim the headlines. There is so much information out there that it is impossible to see it all. So, I go for the headlines. Some are so irresistible that the following article I drink in.

Like Rick Warren, Silent Enabler Of Hatred. I laugh at that. But, seriously, if you are a leader, is it any problem when the people you lead expect you to lead? And, it is more like so when you are leading on moral grounds. We expect much of our Muftis and the Churchmen. [shrug], even this non-believer expects them to SET the example. So, if I get this terrible bill and present it to Rick Warren, and he then goes ahead to wash his hands of the bills author without any other action, I am disappointed. Of course, my disappointment is kind of a compliment. I realise that I do not have any ability to stop this bill. And I realise that Mr. Warren does.

Will you blame me if I continue hounding him until he does what I know to be right? Well, I will continue hounding him. His colleague/associate Ssempa is doing all he can this end, to make sure that the bill has 100% chance of passing. It most likely will, but, in his anti-gay zeal, Pastor Ssempa is doing all that he can, saturating the waves, the churches, everything. In the name of stopping the 'Homosexual International', that terrible bill MUST pass. And Ssempa is zealous in its promotion. Well, let people who have control over him do something.

Same with the Church of England. I dont parse words. If politicians have the guts to speak out on a moral issue, what about the Church? Still hoping to repair any bridges? Well, far as I know, your sisters and brothers here are willing to kill me. I am not planning to attend my funeral pyre, thank you very much, so I will insist that you say something to them.

Of course, with those who speak out late, please expect the question, why did you do it so late? To me it is a reasonable question. Black is black. White is white. Isnt my death by judicious murder a horror? So, why do you wait for the firewood to start smoking before you are convinced the fire will be set? Lambeth, and some others are still, 'dithering'? ha ha ha! But some are not.

This bill is very, very frank about what its aim is. To 'wipe out Homosexuality from Uganda'.

If you doubt me, go read it again. Here.

And, while it plans to imprison and kill homosexuals, there is a world body which is supposed to stop genocide. Oh, that is the dictionary definition of doing what the bill says it intends to do. And, here is some lawyerly advice on why the United Nations cannot help. Analysis: Why the United Nations Can't Get Involved with Ugandan Anti-Homosexual Legislation. Funny, someone did mention the word genocide to the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on HIV in Africa. The lady is on a visit to Uganda. Maybe some more quiet diplomacy...

Anyway, what I seem to understand from what that person says, is that killing of a country's homosexual population is not genocide. I dont understand all the convoluted reasoning. Maybe because I am biased. After all, I am a gay Ugandan!!!!

Of the politicians, trust the Scandinavian not to parse words. They dont. The bill is appaling, and they are disappointed in Uganda. From Sweden. They actually made Museveni to take back the order to the Police to hunt us down in 1999. At least, that is what I was given to believe.

But, more reason for hope is the speech given by Hillary Clinton.

(Image from Advocate)

She didnt mention Uganda. Not in so many words. But, the lady came out very much opposed to discriminating legislation.

Obviously, our efforts are hampered whenever discrimination or marginalization of certain populations results in less effective outreach and treatment. So we will work not only to ensure access for all who need it, but also to combat discrimination more broadly. We have to stand against any efforts to marginalize and criminalize and penalize members of the LGBT community worldwide. It is an unacceptable step backwards — (applause) — on behalf of human rights. But it is also a step that undermines the effectiveness of efforts to fight the disease worldwide.

Reason to Hope, indeed. Well, at least I think so.

And, I know I have to thank friends in the US for this. Your govt responds to you. Certainly not to me. Mine, of course, doesnt respond to me....! Some more reaction from the Advocate.

Mark Bromley, chair of the Council for Global Equality, said he was pleased to see Secretary Clinton take a firm stand against antigay bigotry.

“The United States must make it absolutely clear to Uganda that the passage of the bill, which includes a death penalty provision and criminalizes those who fail to report suspected homosexuals to the authorities, would substantially impact our bilateral relationship and our health investments in that country,” he said.

The United States recently pledged to provide Uganda with nearly $250 million in development assistance, mainly to promote health, agriculture, and business initiatives. The grant was announced when the assistant secretary of State for African affairs, Johnnie Carson, met with Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni in late October.

Clinton’s comments came on the heels of an interview with Ambassador Eric Goosby, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, that concerned many HIV/AIDS activists.

“My role is to be supportive and helpful to the patients who need these services. It is not to tell a country how to put forward their legislation,” Goosby said of Uganda last week during a Newsweek interview.

Many HIV/AIDS activists felt that Goosby’s comments signaled a certain tone-deafness by the Obama administration to the Ugandan issue. But one person who consults regularly with the Department of State said the agency has been heavily engaged with Ugandan officials regarding the fate of the legislation.

“They have been working for several weeks behind the scenes at a senior level within the department to determine what the actual facts are and what the likelihood is of this bill becoming law,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The source said the diplomatic goal was to strike a forceful tone that stopped short of shaming President Museveni, who has yet to take an official stand on the legislation, which was introduced by a lawmaker in his own party, member of parliament David Bahati.

“They are trying to proceed in a way that gives them some private leverage but also acknowledges that Secretary Clinton has an obligation to speak out on human rights issues in her capacity as our top international diplomat,” said the source. “It's been a delicate effort with inconclusive results.”

Elly Tebasoboke Katabira, a native Ugandan and president-elect of the International AIDS Society, said that if President Museveni denounces the measure, it could ultimately kill the legislation.

“Remember, it was written by a person from his own party,” explained Katabira, “so that person would be very reluctant to push something that was not acceptable to the president.”

Katabira added that Clinton’s comments condemning homophobia were “extremely important” since attitudes in so many sub-Sahara African countries mirror those in Uganda.

“I wish what Secretary Clinton said could be made available to many leaders in our region, because then they would know that they don't have the support of other countries including the U.S.,” he said after the press conference.

Err, Careful Elly Katabira. For that statement, we might have to put you in prison for 7 years for 'promoting homosexuality'. And, of course, we might arraign you for being a homosexual and put you in jail for life. That is, if you havent given up your Ugandan citizenship. Of course You must be a homosexual. Ugandans dont defend homosexuals, do they?

But, very brave of you sir!

gug

Rebel?

2009-12-01T18:40:00.001+03:00

Particular insight into who I am?

Maybe. I find myself particularly amused by the poking of holes into an emperor's ego. When it is safe, of course. I will not usually take it beyond the concerns of personal safety.

Anyway, I am enjoying the poking of Rick Warren. They want him to denounce the Ugandan bill. Here too. He is a politician. (No. No churchman that one, and he is twisting and trying to escape the pinning gaze.) Sigh, maybe, like Tiger Woods, he should come out and confess. I dont think Woods will. Too controlled, too private an individual.

But Rick Warren? There is the rub. He is a politician churchman, rubbing shoulders with presidents, having lots and lots of influence. With great influence comes responsibility. Please, dont let him get away with only a slap on the wrist to his friend Ssempa...! Dont let this Churchman get away from his responsibility.

No. he is not adult enough to own up. So, go ahead with the pressure. Actually, Warren has more clout in Uganda than poor gug here. So, keep up the pressure. That guy can bring St Ssempa to heal, off his high crusade... Maybe. Best chance that there is.

There are others on Impunity Watch. Yeah, they should be.

And, there are others who are silent. Loved this sarcastic bit. Which I am depositing here...

Thomas Sutcliffe: No dignity in this pretence of unity

These proposals are the sexual equivalent of the Nuremberg Laws

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

You probably – you poor dupe – have always believed that the Nazis were violently intolerant of homosexuality. But Scott Lively, author of The Pink Swastika, would like to put you right. In his book, Lively argues that far from being anti-gay many of the leaders of the party – including Adolf Hitler – were homosexual and that their sexual preferences directly contributed to Nazi atrocities.

The gays weren't victims of the Nazis, in other words – they were the Nazis and they're still at large. Lively is president of a conservative evangelical group called Defend the Family and earlier this year he was among a group of American evangelical preachers, anti-gay activists and "former homosexuals" (their term) who addressed Ugandan parliamentarians and evangelicals, hoping to stiffen their opposition to the slim prospect of increasing gay rights. To legalise homosexuality, Lively reportedly told them, was akin to legalising "the molestation of children or having sex with animals".

The efforts of these pious haters certainly paid off. The Ugandan parliament is considering a private member's bill which will introduce the death penalty for "serial offenders" and impose a prison sentence of three years on anyone who knows of homosexual activity and does not report it. And whether the bill passes or not the fact that it is being discussed at all is a measure of the intolerance towards gay people in that country. These proposals are the sexual equivalent of the Nuremberg Laws and it isn't hard to imagine what might follow on their heels were they to pass into law.

Whatever its roots in the culture of Ugandan life this hatred has been nourished by missionary religion – and not just the wilder fringes of American evangelism. In a recent address the Bishop of Bristol quoted a remark attributed to Henry Orombi, the Anglican Archbishop of Uganda, to the effect that he was "horrified to learn that homosexuals are trying to convert people to homosexuality in our schools". Another Anglican Bishop, Joseph Abura, has drawn an explicit parallel between gay people and wizards, and this in a country where witch-hunts frequently end in murder.

So far the Church of England has not made any formal condemnation of this pogrom in the making. The official statement from Lambeth was this: "It has been made clear to us ... that attempts to publicly influence either the local church or political opinion in Uganda would be divisive and counter-productive. Our contacts ... with the local church will therefore remain intensive but private." Which is odd really, since there are churches which have decided that tactical silence and behind the scenes persuasion simply won't do any longer.

Last week the United Reform Church condemned the proposed legislation as "morally repugnant". More curious still was an open letter from an evangelical group called Exodus International, addressed to President Yoweri Museveni, which argued that the laws would make it impossible to "extend the love and compassion of Christ to all". Ugandan gays could be forgiven for being a little wary of this particular form of "compassion" because Exodus International is another of those groups whose religious homophobia has resulted in their current plight.

But if even they can directly address the question it's hard to understand why Lambeth hesitates – unless the "division" that the Archbishop is really worried about is not between the citizens of Uganda, but between branches of the established church. The bad news is that that division already exists and Rowan Williams' attempts to keep one foot on either side while pretending it isn't there are increasingly undignified. There will come a point when that pretence becomes shameful, and it isn't far off.

Please, keep up the Pressure.....!

World AIDS Day

2009-12-01T09:40:00.000+03:00

It rained during the night.

Woke up once, twice, and it was raining. A gentle, steady sound of the water drops on roof, leaves, ground, and the splash splash in pools of water.

Both times I drew closer to my love, and burrowed into him more. He loves that. We curl up into each other, hold tight, and float off into dreamland. Heaven.

I overslept. He is still in bed.

But I had to get out and look at the new earth. Washed, clean brisk air. The green of trees and grass. The air is still, wonderfully clear. And all I smell is washed earth. Open the doors and windows, look out into this paradise that gods gave to man. Kampala is Garden City. Fact.

It is first of the month. Much to do.

A living to earn, life to plan. And, of course time to do all those seditious things, looking for a way out of the living prison some people want to make this for me, and mine. Imagine, beautiful Uganda, a prison. It is too sad that that is the unbarnished truth.

I lived deeply in the closet for a long time. Now, the door is barely open, but I may be forced back. Back to denying my self.

Too many people are suggesting to me that I leave. That we leave the country. Seems as if that is the only option that is left… I am feeling like a foolish ostritch, head buried in the sand, with the crowd yelling ‘Danger coming!’

Foolhardy stupidity? Sigh, let me bury my head in the sand, for just a while longer…. Forgive me, but, this is Home.

But, the fight continues. And, we are drawing an impressive number of advocates.

I am humbled. This is no longer about me, or Uganda. This is about humanity. This is about being human. I don’t like the fact that it is my country drawn up in defiance on its sovereign right to kill and imprison me for my sexuality- but, it is a hugely wider battle, of a people, a minority against a majority that chooses to believe weird, lurid rumours of xenophobia and the ‘wicked other’ to persecute some of its own people. And, many gay people, all over the world are joining hands in solidarity.

Thank you, brothers, and sisters. My thanks. Our thanks, from Uganda.

Questions, tough questions are being asked of international leaders who have influence within my country. Rick Warren. And, the other evangelicals. It is not enough to have the mantle of a peace loving God. It is time to show what you really believe.

The church in Uganda, Pentecostal, Catholic, Anglican, oh yes, Seventh Day and the rest of the Protestants, they have either lined up to say gross things about us, or they have conveniently cocooned themselves in silence. A self defeating silence. I think it is a big chance for them, to show what Christ really is. Sigh, it seems my disappointment with modern day Christians will never, ever end! What happened to the ideals of Christ? Why do you call yourselves Christians, any more?

Its rich, isn’t it? A non-believer having the gall to question your credentials in faith. [Grin], well, show me that I am wrong. [Smugly]

Ssebaspace reports that Rachel Maddow has come out against the bill. Forgive me, I don’t know the particular celebrity, apart from knowing she is a celebrity. Good for you, lady!

Just to balance that, I returned to the Monitor. Yesterday, they had the front page headline, “Uganda hits back over Gay Criticism”. No, I didn’t want to see the article. But the comments. No, I don’t want to detail them. They are pus from a boil, un-lanced, still maturing.

I have to remind myself, this bill will become law. Most likely with only minor changes. And, I will have to live with the consequences.

Here is what Nsaba Buturo has to say of the advocacy of the west for us. “If I told you how many foreign diplomats keep coming to me over the homosexuality Bill you would be shocked. But I keep telling them that the integrity of our country and our values are more important than their aid. We shall not allow those people from the Western to define our identity and destiny. In their countries Christ no longer matters. It is our responsibility to define our identity and defend it.”

I wish Ugandans read the world news. But then, they would be quite happy with their position of leadership. On homosexuality of course. This is a huge chance for them to be seen as good, upright, moral people. And, that is depressing for me! Well, I do happen to be Ugandan. But, I am whining. Cant have my cake, and eat it too, is the saying, isn’t it?

Anengiyefa muses about the fact that as a gay African, he is a mythical being. He doesn’t exist! Well, I am un-African. Sometimes it is best to take all these huge lies and soldier on in our world.

Suprise, suprise. Our neighbours to the East, Kenya, they have broken through a major barrier. They are able to talk about HIV amongst gay men. Articles are published. Here!

Seems like another world. Even their faces are on the news. Sniff, I am jealousy!

Photo from Daily Nation of Kenya.

Seems as if the interview I missed yesterday is still on. Lucky me… And, I have to remember that I have a tough question to ask of my brother. Who is one of the fundamentalist Pentecostal pastors. I came out to him, sometime ago. And, he didn’t react so well. But, he was my playmate, back in the days when we were children. I have a tough question of him, a favor to ask of him. It will test his faith in me as a person. Against his ‘abhorrence’ of my sin as a homosexual.

Life. It is always about tough questions.

Hope you do have a wonderful day

gug

Full Moon

2009-11-30T22:24:00.000+03:00

The moon is huge, full outside. In a sky that is touched by its silvery light, soft darkness.

I am seated at home. Just finished a big supper. Full, sated. Happy.

We had a visitor, a friend. He has escorted him. And, I have just come in.

The day has been turbulent for me. Emotions edgy, brittle; I found that I was too incensed by bill related things.

I have to admit, I am human. And, I am doing lots of pulling and pushing. Far above my capacity. That is what is wrong with causes. One can be so completely absorbed that one forgets to live.

So, today, even though the Monitor had the reaction to the bill as front page news, I didn’t post it. It was a defence, of Uganda under attack, by foreigners. Normally, I would have been my cutting self. This time, I felt exhausted, on a Monday morning, with an uphill fight that I am convinced I cannot win.

Yet I fight, because I must. Lying down to die is not an option.

A meeting in the morning. World AIDS Day tomorrow, I missed an interview. But, I judged that at that moment, resting and replenishing my body was the thing to do.

Was still stringed up and high in the evening.

Took out my book of poetry, was reading, meditating on the poem In The Post Office’ by Thom Gunn.

It lifted me out of the rut.

It is a poem about life, love and death, the death of a loved one, and it is about AIDS. A gay man’s love for another man.

I was fascinated. I am fascinated by Gunn. It is the way he writes, simply, rhythmically, pouring emotion into the words, making a simple story fascinating, worth reading again and again, trying to move with him on the sea of his emotion. I found myself dwelling on the rhythm, on the words, on the flow, pacing up and down our lawn.

Dusk found me there, and then I noticed the moon, rising gloriously bright and sharp in a cloudless sky. The night is beautiful.

I am in Kampala, but, not so long ago, there were lots of trees here. Some remnants of that greenery is, even now. And, I ended gazing up at the moon, like a wolf, ready to howl, to sing in ecstasy at the beauty of the night, express my own appreciation at what the world is.

Before such naked beauty, such abundance of beauties, my puny concerns pale. Almost disappear.

hope you had a good day.

I plan to hold my love in my hands throughout the night!

gug

Sunday Monitor

2009-11-30T06:55:00.001+03:00

It made the Sunday Monitor. The supposed tiff between Brown and Museveni.

New Vision? No. that is not news for them. Debate encourages, promotes homosexuality. And, they are the government mouthpiece...!

British PM against anti-gay legislation

Emmanuel Gyezaho & Agencies

Kampala

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined the crusade against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 and is understood to have spoken to President Museveni on Friday, voicing his opposition against the proposed legislation.

Mr Brown met President Museveni at the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Trinidad and Tobago and reportedly made it clear to him that he is opposed to the new law that would impose life imprisonment to homosexuals in Uganda.

The Private Members Bill drawn up by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati also proposes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”- defined in the proposed law as any sexual act between gays or lesbians in which one person has the HIV/Aids virus.

Major international news outlets reported yesterday that the matter caused a furore at the Commonwealth meet, with Uganda facing isolation.

“The country’s plans have caused a backlash from other Commonwealth nations and condemnation from gay rights groups who want Uganda thrown out of the Commonwealth unless they back down,” reported the UK’s Telegraph newspaper.

Awkward moment

“The clash was set to lead to an awkward moment, as Mr Brown was thought to be seated next to President Museveni at an official banquet last night [Friday],” reported the UK’s Daily Express yesterday.

Quoting a source at Mr Brown’s office, The Telegraph reported: “A Downing Street source said, ‘The Prime Minister did raise it and you can take it that he was not supportive of the idea.’”

Even before Mr Museveni made the trip to Trinidad, activists were urging the Commonwealth to suspend Uganda’s membership if the new law is passed.

Think it will faze Museveni? Not so, says Bahati. He is quite confident of that. Unconcerned, even. Nothing will stand in the march of the traditional family...

Mr Bahati told Sunday Monitor yesterday that he was certain President Museveni would be “unfazed” by the amount of international pressure piling against the Bill.

“We believe that homosexuality is not a common value for the commonwealth,” he said in a telephone interview. “There is no amount of pressure or intimidation that can deter us from defending our traditional family set up.”

These family guys are unbelievable. Thanks America.... For the Family!

gug

Mushrooms

2009-11-30T01:34:00.002+03:00

I am

seated in the living room sofa. The door, the windows are open, and the clean clear air spills into the room.

Music, slow, steady, one of last decade’s hits. Ronan Keating’s remix ‘When you say nothing at all’ on Capital FM. That station is hoarse. Don’t know why, the reception at my place is not so good. But, that is the one I want.

But, wanted to tell you of the sun kissing the leaves outside. Gold light on the deep green of leaves. Banana sail fronds lazily flapping in the skies. Peace, quiet. Except for the high voices of happy children playing.

A day for god’s own creation. True, I am feeling good. Very, very good.

Nothing like a long night asleep in my lover’s arms to wipe out a long grumpy day. To make all things right.

Soon, very soon, I will be going out to roam the city. Oh, he is off on his own. Sometimes it is better not to ask….. Spilling too many secrets here, aren’t I?

Bet I have intrigued you.

Want to share photos I took today. Oh, they are quite mundane. Down to earth, like me. But, I will share them with a little story about the people here, where I grew up.

These are pictures of the ground. Yes, of the soil.

Look closely, you will see some tiny white buds that have pushed out and mushroomed into the air. Yes, they are mushrooms. Check them out here.

And, a closer look.

Those little white umbrellas grow in a single night. So, it is like one day, they are not there. The next day, there is a carpet of them.

Look at them closely. Discount the straw, and the green of the weed. They are the small umbrella like white things.

They are a delicacy. Yes. One of the things that I was taught to be edible. I remember as a child I would be called to the patch and encouraged to taste them. Fresh from being picked. You know, like pick one of the umbrellas and put in the mouth. Fresh, faintly mouldy taste that they have. Not unpleasant.
And, they make a soup that people swear by. They are also supposed to be part of portions (Yes, portion, like in Harry Potter], for medicinal use. Dont know which, exactly!

Now, according to local lore, no one is supposed to own them. And, one is not supposed to pass them by.

So, waking up in the morning, and walking along the road, if you find this over-night-growth, you are supposed to go back home, get a calabash, knock on your neighbours door to tell them and invite them, and then go back to collect the little white umbrellas. All in the neighbourhood are welcome.

I was able to get these pictures for a simple reason. The neighbour upon whose land this growth is is a grumpy old man. He would be seriously incommoded if one passed through his banana plantation. So, since this growth is near the village path, many people have seen it. But, they have all ignored it.

It is a studied insult, slap in the face.

But, we are all so cultured and well mannered, that none of us is going to talk about it, isn’t it? But, it did give me the photographs to remember this by…!

Hope your day is fine. Mine is fantastic.

gug

[just wanted to show you it is not all about the politicking, life, even in good old Uganda!]

A Golden Chance

2009-11-29T18:38:00.001+03:00

Actually, think about it, and it is. A Golden Chance.

Opportunism is not a bad thing, but liberal thinkers take time to grasp it like conservatives would do.... Which shows my thinking biases.

But, for the Church in the west, the Anglican provinces, this is a Golden Chance.

From Ekklesia: OPPOSITION TO UGANDA ANTI-GAY BILL IS CHANCE TO BUILD UNITY IN DIVIDED CHURCHES

From Ekklesia, an independent, not-for-profit think-tank which examines the role of religion in public life and advocates transformative theological ideas and solutions.

OPPOSITION TO UGANDA ANTI-GAY BILL IS CHANCE TO BUILD UNITY IN DIVIDED CHURCHES

London, UK - NOV 24, 2009 The religion and society thinktank Ekklesia is observing that opposition against the 'anti- homosexuality' Bill currently being proposed in Uganda is a prime opportunity for the churches to create some unity around issues of sexuality which so often divide them.

Ekklesia is proposing that Christian leaders should be able to speak with one voice on this issue, whatever their views on sexual ethics, and find common ground on which to build for the future.

The Bill being proposed in Uganda would introduce the death penalty for certain sexual activity between consenting adults. Whatever people's views on sexuality within the churches, says the thinktank, Christians should be able to join together to oppose the measures.

But Ekklesia also warns that continued silence from church leaders on the issue will also speak volumes. A failure to speak out will be widely seen as revealing the 'real' attitudes of many in the churches to gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

Okay, I will put it in less elegant language. It is a chance for the Western Anglicans who for most of the past decade have been trying to appease the un-appeasable, trying to show that they were not exactly biblically wrong to embrace gay Christians. Well, here is a bill where the conservatives have actually shown their true colours. The bill is out there in the world. It has been disseminated. If you want a copy, it is here.

It is way out 'un-Christian' like this conservative Bishop's sermon.

So, it is a chance for you to put these guys in their place. Go ahead and school your murderous Christian brothers and sisters. If you dont, I will continue lagging you together, as murderous Christians. Speak out, or forever shut up.

Elegant, aint I?

gug

I am un-African.

2009-11-29T10:16:00.000+03:00

Yes, that is what they say.

Note how I have stated it. Not that I am NOT African. But, that I am un-African. Like I have an attribute which is not of my people. Not of my continent.

In essence I am a sell out, a traitor, a ‘collaborator’. I deserve death, and the infamy of social ostracisation and legal limbo. My people have the right to write a law that puts all like me in prison and to death. Because I am un-African.

It is a breathtaking assertion. A lie so incredible that, in this day and age, the reaction should be, ‘shame upon you, liar’. But, in this day and age, we tend to respect such assertions. Like ‘Recruiting European homosexuals’. And, maybe Africans are dumb. Or all the problems that we have come from ‘colonialists’. Or many other ridiculous things which do not deserve accreditation.

I have learnt to isolate the anger these thought pull out in me. It is like I have formed a cocoon, which I don’t touch most of the time. An isolated part of my mind, that is like a nuclear reactor. An anger and motivation that I can tap on in case of need. But it is a danger, like a malignancy. There is always a leak, a tenuous, almost imperceptible leak of it into the rest of the mind that can, and is like the fury of the Hulk. It can posses my mind.

So, I have learnt to weave my thoughts into the incredible beauty of my world. To dull the pain, to remind myself that though life can be incredibly unfair, creation is incredibly beautiful.

Yesterday, I was atoning for an intemperate night out. See, it was not my mistake [injured expression], Eid day fell on a Friday, when I was supposed to be up and working Saturday. And, we got a freebee to go to club. Great, I thought. Unfortunately, I happened to fall into a conversation with a guy my guy didn’t like. Just easy conversation you know, like with an acquaintance. My lover has this incredible streak of jealousy, which was tapped into. By the time we were supposed to go to club, he was boiling hot. And, I didn’t know.

So, short story, he refuses to go to club. I am too high not to go. And I go, without his restraining presence. So, I creep into bed late, exhausted, and need to go to work after a few hours shut eye. So, I went to work. And spent the whole day dozing off and on.

But, I didn’t go out last night. And, I must confess I am more alert than I have reason to be on a Sunday morning. A Sunday morning that is cold, overcast, with blustery winds shaking the leaves. The tree in my compound has decided to shed many of the old leaves, replacing them with new growth, that of the rainy season. Has burdened the lawn with brown on the fresh green of grass.

Err, I was saying that they say I am un-African. Some go as far as to state I am not African. Others think it, when they say I am un-African.

See, I have made an incredible discovery. The language we speak, it is English. That is the language that most of my country mates share. Most Ugandans. I can go anywhere in the country, and the ‘educated’ people will be speaking English. So, I will most likely be able to speak with them in that language.

But, English is not African. Isn’t it?

Yet, according to our constitution, English is our ‘national language’ Or, is the wording ‘official language’?

Nevertheless, I must allow that we don’t speak it like they do in America, or England, or Australia. We don’t speak it like they do in West Africa even. We have our own meanings to the words, our own insinuations, our own emphases. Damn me, I actually speak it fairly better than my mother tongue! I am indeed not African.

I feel so African, that I don’t have time to waste on those who want to prove my un-African ness. Matter of fact.

I am gay. Of course I am. But, why should I go into the convolutions to prove that I am African?

For those of you who would like to go into that academic exercise, you can check out a text on African Homosexualities. Boy-Wives and Female Husbands, by Murray and Rosco. To some, something becomes real because someone took the time to research it and canonize it in a book.

To me, my Africanness is something which I was born with, which I had to accept. It was as real and natural as the cold breeze that is playing on my black skin this particular moment. When I first saw a person with a white skin, it was an albino. I was a child, I stared, and stared, fascinated. To my childish mind, I was not seeing a human being.

Sadly, when I first came to know my sexuality, I was taught that it was not normal.

I learnt in church that I was abnormal. I learnt in society that I was an outcast. I tried to ‘pray away the gay’. I lost my faith, I lost many years, as I searched and sought to exercise demons in my minds. Demons of normality which my world was insisting were abnormal. Demons which those who should have been in the know in faith and knowledge insisted were not African, were foreign. Were bad.

Till the liberating time that I came to accept myself. The time that I found out, to my incredulity, that I was as normal and natural as I was born. If I knew any god at that time, I would have asserted that he or she had created me that way. I am a human being. I am a gay human being. I don’t need to beat my head by reasoning that I am an African and thus cannot be gay. I don’t have to go into learned treaties to prove that I am normal (Oh, forget the fact that I actually did. I had to. My world was presenting all these ‘evidences’ of my un-normality that I had to.) But, now that I know, how can I deny what I am? How can I say that I am not African? How can I lie that I am not gay? How can I lie that an African cannot be gay? I am living proof of that. How can I deny the breeze dancing on my dark skin, the chill that I am standing up to as I write this? It is. I can ignore it, but I know it is. It is there. No amount of clothing will take it away. And, I can glory in who and what I am, and assert it, or I can slink off and hide.

But, I will admit, I am gay and African. I am a Ugandan who is gay.

And, despite the ignorance and false stories, the incredible stupidities which my people are displaying in exorcising people like me from themselves, I will remain what I am.

They don’t understand. That is the reason why we will always win, even when they persecute us in the name of God. Because we are, we are what we are. We have always been. We will continue to be. Historically, there have always been efforts to purge populations of us weak minorities. And, they have fought back. Always, because, to the majority, it is nothing more than a nuisance once in a while to pay attention to. To us the persecuted, it is a fact of life, everyday life, which, perforce, we have to live with. We need to adapt to, to learn.

Now, today, I am not going to any church to listen to how un-African and evil homosexuality is. I hear that is the major topic these days. Well, the Bishops are welcome to their sermons.

I hear they also preach against the other religions…

Curious, isn’t it? They use a decidedly ‘European’ religion, Christianity, to rail against us homosexuals. But, I am told, Mwanga the Second of Buganda, he was at least bi-sexual. That is why he killed the so called Uganda Martyrs. History is written by the winners. That is why, those sell outs, the ones who embraced the foreign religion and refused the un-refusable advances of the demi-god, the Kabaka and were rightfully punished by burning at the stake are now held up as stellar examples of our Ugandan Christianity. They were collaborators with colonialists for God’s sake! They were selling out our country!

But, if homosexuality was acceptable and right at the Buganda Royal Court, at that time, and there was no protest when these disobedient young men were burnt at the stake for their disobedience to their rightful sovereign and king, why is it considered that homosexuality is un-African?

Surely, even history says that homosexuality was here, in Uganda, even before Christianity as a faith came to Uganda?

But you see, we humans are very adept at holding onto our beliefs.

So, Uganda is under attack by the ‘Homosexual International’. And, we are going ahead and resisting. We are showing the whole world what true Christian leadership is. We are going to imprison and kill all our homosexuals. And show the world how Christian and upright we are.

We gay Ugandans are un-Ugandan. Arent we?

Well, Michael Jackson was a white man. That is a very cruel statement. Isnt it?

gug

Beautiful day in Kampala.

2009-11-28T11:03:00.000+03:00

Overcast. A Saturday

Am recovering from last night. Sadly, I am also at work...! Sometimes the guilty are punished multiple times.
Yesterday was Eid day. A public holiday. And, well, we went out. And, I went dancing, while he kind of disagreed with my schedule. So, since it was my schedule, I went ahead to act stupidly.... Only excuse is that I am also human. Oh well, we live and learn. Again.
Now, the head seems sort of light, and I am in need of water, and some extra hours in bed. But, I have to soldier through the day.
To our running topic...
I have to say that I still expect the bill to be passed. We have about one chance in 100 to have it stopped. Or stalled. And, how can we achieve that? International condemnation. Pressure on the religious heads who dare to advocate genocide. And, if the Ugandan medics dare come out and take a stand. The latter is almost impossible to achieve. They are also homophobic. It is an unpopular topic. Bet they dont even know that they have a part to play! ha ha ha ha!

Canada has taken on the political mantle of pushing the international condemnation of the bill. Good for them. What I dislike about politics is when, for some reason or another, countries fail to do the right thing. Or have to be pushed, and pulled. Because of 'politics'. Canada's Prime Minister condemned it. [Satirical piece says they actually plagiarised the US statement...! Hilarious.]

(pic from Slap Upside the Head)

But, debate in the Canadian Parliament, from both parties condemns Bahati's 'nice piece of legislation'. And, at the Commonwealth, both Brown of Britain, and Harper of Canada have apparently raised the question with Museveni. I like the diplomatic language, the diplomatic shuffling. And, of course, Museveni is playing the deniability card. It is a private members bill...! Who will take any bets on Museveni not supporting it? I will take your money for free.

The Church of England continues its silence. Well, Christians are continuing their pressure. You know what, it will be ridiculous when at last they speak out! They are not politicians to parse language. Even the politicians are speaking out, now. Ironic, isnt it?

What has amused me is that someone has at long last noted the silence of the Catholic Church. It is DEAFENING! The Church of Uganda is playing politics. Hypocrites. Yeah, they are hypocrites. They told us their stand, withdrew it, and are now trying to play innocent in the sight of the world. Hypocrites. Well, sue me. Dont I have the right to call a piece of turd turd?
And, here is more of the same. Someone blames the west. Of course. I am an African. A Ugandan. And, that piece of turd stinks, to high heavens. It went out of fashion long before it was even correct. Blame the west. Blame them for wanting to kill me... (Or, maybe for having the money to force cultural wars on Uganda?) Either way, it is much the same. Let us blame foreigners. Of course, for us, we are noble savages. Innocent. Guiltless. Oh, here is the link. A pentecostal, and really laying the butter on Lively.
Yet, curiously, it also shows that the pentecostals are feeling the heat. They are not defending their 'nice bit of legislation'!
Speaking like this sinner, who is about to be squashed by the might of the state, and church... all in the name of morality, isnt it funny that I am calling out on the morals of the Church to be questioned? And, I am.... Hypocrisy can be attacked. Especially when I lose nothing, showing that they are hypocrites. And, I will lose everything, because they will not speak out.
So, where goes this from here?
Pressure. Continue the pressure. Of course, we are applying it here, as we can. And, though there are only glimmers of reaction, it is a matter of fact that even insular Uganda is noticing that there are somethings wrong with this bill.
Kind of makes me feel liberated. Not having to kow-tow to the politically correct speech that has to characterise everything.
Now, I look out, and the haze over Kampala is still there. But, the sun's brightness is fighting through.
And, I think I have really woken up, what with reading through all that material.
Have a good day

gug

Appeasing the Un-Appeasable.

2009-11-27T22:58:00.002+03:00

You know, reading through the anti-homosexual bill, and hearing some of the statements that are made by well meaning friends of Uganda about working with the homophobes here, I kind of wonder whether this policy really ever works.

I mean, a bully is a bully. Try to appease him or her in anyway, and they just grow stronger.

Take the schism of the Anglican Church. The Episcopal Church in America has been making a stand on the humanity of gay people, of gay Christians. And, the 'fundamentalists' those who follow 'biblical' Christianity have been on the offensive, accusing the others of being less than Christian. They have made such a lot of fuss that the Church of England has been bending over backwards, trying to accomodate what the fundamentalists believe is what is right. Trying to shut out their shouts of what is conscionable.

Now, here comes the Anti-Homosexual Bill in Uganda.

To think that it is only about Uganda is to miss the bigger picture. No. I am not talking about the American right, and the influence of the 'Family'.

I am thinking of yet another time when the Church is leaning over backwards, not daring to stand on its stated principles, when a blatantly genocidal bill is set on the table.

Reason does not work. No. It does not. I listened on as Sylvia Tamale savaged the Bill. But, that logic didnt matter. Her speech is here. All the weight of her reasoning, the fact that she was a lawyer explaining the law to an accountant, this didnt matter.

So, what does it mean?

Do the Americans and British Anglicans really think they have much in common with the Anglicans of Uganda who are going around supporting this bill in the name of 'Biblical Christianity'? Do you really think that you are still in the wrong, and the Africans, because they are many, are right? What commonalities do you have with the Bishop of Karamoja, diocese of the Church of Uganda, who wrote this blatantly ignorant and hate filled sermon?

Where will the appeasement, the bending over, the effort to be 'politically correct' end?

When will you stand up to your principles?

See, being liberal, seeing the other point of view can be a huge pain, especially when you dont have the guts to stand up to what is right in your point of view.

NB; The writer of this post is, (1) a Ugandan (2) Not Christian (3)African. And, more importantly (4) is gay.

So, of course I am biased.

I hope that does not act like a huge log in your saintly eyes.

gug

----

as to the countries, well- the US, Britain, France, Canada, they have all come out with negative positions on the bill. Of course this has been because of the agitation of their people.

But, think of the Commonwealth. On what principles does it stand?

I am no politician. Am too much of a maverick (ha ha ha!) to be constrained by the desires and aspirations of the masses. So, maybe I dont know what real politik is. But, I know sense when I see it. And, I recognise why we humans truly yearn for that leader who will lead us with the common sense and unity that even our fragmented sense of common sense recognises as truthful.

But, I am talking of an angel, not a human being...

So, we shall take the countries out of the equation.

But, not the church. No. Definitely not those who tout their moral leadership. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. IT IS TIME. SPEAK YOUR MIND, TRULY.

gayuganda

A must read

2009-11-27T10:02:00.001+03:00

Actually, I am feeling low. Let me say the realisation of too many battles to fight is sometimes overwhelming.

It was that article in the Observer. And, the comments..... Which I should be used to by now.

Anyway, here is a must read blog post that nicely summarises the dilemma of the Anglican Church. And, their cowardice...!

The conclusion is,

But I don't think these arguments are in the end convincing, and for three reasons. The first is that the situation could hardly be worse. If nothing is done, the bill will very probably pass. So the worst that any intervention could accomplish is to fail to prevent what we are trying to stop, rather than bringing it about. The second is that the Anglican church of Uganda is not really part of the same communion any longer as the Church of England. It was one of the driving forces behind the Gafcon meeting last summer. The third, and the most important one, is that the Church of England needs to retain some connection with the generally accepted morality of the nation around it. These days, killing gay people for having sex is no longer regarded as a moral act. It may be that the Ugandan church will excuse itself by saying that it cannot flout Ugandan public opinion. But why should the Church of England be allowed to flout English concepts of decency by acquiescing with its silence in this crime?

Indeed!!!!

But, dont settle for the summary. Read the whole blog post in the Guardian here.

And, to remember that my world is still beautiful, even if I cannot write a poem now, let me pick at least one of those pics...!

Kind of a wrap up

2009-11-26T22:56:00.001+03:00

The international media has caught on. Maybe even the one in Uganda.

The most important part of the story is the International connection. No. The Uganda-America connection. Remember why the Pres commented that European Homosexuals were recruiting? I wondered why he singled out Europeans.

Now, maybe I should not have wandered.

Ok, officially, you all have to know that, going into politics is kind of dangerous for a Ugandan. So, I will not be very very open on such things. I live, work and am in Uganda. Have to be a little less brave, to continue drawing breath. And, I do want to do that.

But, I can report what is being reported....!

The conspiracy theory that I thought was? No. It was no conspiracy theory. And, it has actually spilt over into the media in Uganda. The Observer printed this story on its front page.

'Museveni, Bahati named in US 'Cult'.'

Sometimes, brazen outing like this IS the protection. So, maybe they did it right... I bet the Independent and the Daily Monitor will soon be on it. Dont expect a peep out of New Vision.

In the American blogosphere, it has just become more electric. Check out the Box Turtle Bulletin here. The story is not only Uganda. It is much bigger than this poor, Central African Country! And, check out Warren Throckmorton. And some others. I guess life got a bit more interesting than it was for a long while...!

Of countries, did I note that Canada joined the US, and UK? Good for them.

And then, of course the Stephen Lewis speech. Which serves to put the issue on the agenda of the Commonwealth. However peripherally.

World AIDS Day, December 1st is actually near. It is Tuesday next week. What better time to highlight the fact that the Bahati bill is an HIV spreading bill. Ssempa says otherwise, but, I am not sure whether he read for the MPH which he is supposed to have. Here are some articles on it. From Human Rights Watch. The Commonwealth itself.

Christians of every colour are continuing to express outrage at the bill.

True. And, to any Christian who says otherwise, my simple question is, have you read the Bill? Because it is not simple to just say it is the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, and then you stop there. Read it, and, find how much support you have for it. Otherwise, you will reconsider how Christian you are. Here is the bill again.

Changing Attitude is working on changing the attitude of Canterbury. The Episcopal Church is speaking out, Bishop by outraged Bishop. And, Christians who dont support gay 'life style' as they call it, are also coming up with a position against the bill. Here is another one outraged.

So, where does it all take us?

Outrage and disbelief outside the country. Inside the country, even Christian Bishops are thinking like they are gods. I am serious.
The Church of Uganda officially said it is studying the bill. What is happening on the ground is much different. In Churches, the good reverends are whipping up homophobia. They are preaching hate sermons. Very much like this one, from the Bishop of Karamoja. I am not joking. I have heard it from people who listened to the sermons.

So, a state of homophobia, being whipped up. A genocidal bill in parliament.

ugh... ! I will think positive thoughts

gug

Some Pics

2009-11-26T20:45:00.002+03:00

Of friends in the US who protested the bill.

Thanks brothers and sisters. You mean more to me than those who are ready to kill me.

(Shhh, the price of supporting me is kind of high. One guy, an Anglican who felt impressed enough to be on my side, was supporting gay Ugandans in a debate amongst friends. And, one of the friends threatened to report him to police.
True. That is the story as it was told to me. And, I trust the source. It is the guy who wrote this post that i put here.)

So, my thanks for friends who can and do dare speak out on MY behalf. Thanks, and again, thanks.

The pics are from HRC website.

Rambling thoughts

2009-11-26T13:08:00.002+03:00

If Christians do take up this bill with the fervour that it is due, I will cease to think so badly of Christianity.

I am afraid, for me, Roman Catholicism is lost. It is not in my nature to be taught what to think. I resent that. Too independent…

But, when a person, a Christian, especially one who is not part of the ‘homosexual agenda’ takes up this.... Well, I stop to listen. Because it is something that makes me believe that the essential ideals of Christianity are truly good.

Not like Rick Warren did. Dissociating himself from Ssempa. That is what a politician is. And, hopefully, a Christian is not at heart a politician. Criticism from an unbeliever! Though, I can of tend to think Warren was a bit embarrassed, as was Ssempa, at how abruptly that relationship ended. Well, that is politics…!

But, not to be distracted, here are some fighting words. Quoted here, with similar nuances, and written here.

"Let me make this clear:

I don’t care how conservative your theological belief system is, killing people or imprisoning them for being gay or lesbian is wrong and should never, ever happen.

Notwithstanding, according to the bill, I, as a straight person, would also be imprisoned if I don’t turn in gays and lesbians to the Ugandan government.

....Please spread the word. No Christian (or person in general) should ever let this happen on our watch."

As for governments criticizing the bill.

Governments are supposed to be servants of the people. Yeah, democracy is great, isn’t it? Except in backwaters like Uganda where it is being used to legally kill a minority. I had forgotten…. Same thing happened in Rwanda. And in Nazi Germany.

Our backwater is not that isolated! At least not in ideaology.

Canada

, the government, seems to have joined the US, France, Britain. The Anglican Church of Canada didn’t mince words, demanding that their Ugandan brothers condemn the bill. When they were amongst the most vociferous supporters, before pressure made them become ‘voiceless.’

It has become an issue at the CHOGM meeting. Museveni is chairing the meet. And, Stephen Lewis took umbrage at that. It was taken up by the media. Of course.

Human Rights groups?

They are loud. They are frank. And, they are fearless. Unfortunately, they cry wolf so much that they are not listened too that much. But, they are listened to…!

Now, like any good citizen, I dont think good of the thinking capacity of 'government'. But, one has to pose and wonder, how did this coalition of consensus come to come about?

Ssempa will say, and believe, that it is because of the 'Homosexual Agenda' They are big. They are strong. They are mighty. Let us stamp them out from Uganda.

But, I will beg to differ. I cannot lie to myself about the extent of my strengths. Even enemies like Ssempa say that to rally the unthinking troops.

Why have we been able to?

Because the Bill, the Bahati, Anti-Homosexuality Bill itself is such a monstrosity that no person who reads it will stop themselves from a righteous anger.

Funny, but our strongest recruiting factor is the Bill. Have you read it? Here! No. It is not good reading. So, brace yourself. But, you will find lots of good, Christian, moral intentions.

Sighhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

gug

Not all Christians the same.

2009-11-26T08:20:00.003+03:00

From the last post, you picked the outrage of some Christians.

But, here is the view of one of the Bishops of the Anglican Church in Uganda. It is not pretty. Not at all. But, sometimes it is best to know what the other side thinks.

He starts with a sermon. I am not too good at that. So, I pick up from where the sermon gets into practical applications. Here is the original article.

For Some Anglicans, Vices are now Virtues.

and, the conclusion;

Christianity indeed is under attack; attack from within herself and by her very own. Persecution of the church is on the loose. The powers and world forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6. 12) are now in real play.

Yes, laws if in place can help put on check any vice including this one. Like HIV which breads among others, in disco halls and night drinking sprees, which can be stopped or reduced by laws if put in place, like the wizard spirit which society and the Gospel of Christ shunned, the vice of homosexuality through the necessary laws in place can be checked. We must keep it away from our children. Our ancestors didn’t know it, we do not know it, our children must not know it.

Our children are ignorant of the vice; but gays and their sympathizers want to appeal to their psyche, to their consciousness that they be infected too. They are spreading it in our institutions of learning. They want to condition every penny that comes to our government or churches or Non-Government Organizations. If you are dinning with such evil plan, come out of it; the Province of the Church of Uganda, as you know, is leading the way, let’s join the way. Homosexuality is infectious, it is a disease in the West and not so much in Africa and that is why they want to influence any agenda in order to entrench it. If it is inborn as they say, then it is transmitted and conceived in the mind, that it actualizes itself in one. Africans who have it have contracted it from the West or from acquainting with people who have it. Yes, it is infectious and it can be fought and defeated. It is a vice which has multiplied in the recent decades in the West; it can be fought and stopped.

Africa, run away from gays, let us save our continent by refuting the vice; practice, and preserve our heritage, that is our traditions and culture believing and trusting in the Almighty God. “”Rise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you”” (Isaiah 60 : 1). Gayism can be fought like any other disease against the people and the Word of God. It is a sickness so we can fight and defeat it. One of the ways to fight it should be by prevention of its spread, by putting laws in place, preach the Word and pray to God to heal and orient those disoriented; there is need for a commandment(s) to enforce. Christ is the answer, feelings or sympathies, especially on evil, are not! Ugandan Parliament, the watch dog of our laws, please go ahead and put the anti- Gay laws in place. It is then that we become truly accountable to our young and to this country, not to

Canada

England

. We are in charge! We have our entrenched birthrights, Ugandans should not accept to sell or mortgage these God given birthrights.

Bishop Joseph Abura of Karamoja Diocese, Province of the Anglican Church of

Uganda

.

I know lots of friends who will not be happy about this. But, take it as a challenge. You, as Christians, have to make such a person understand a little more about humanity, and Christ, and other things...! Take it as a challenge!

Is this the official view of the Church of Uganda? No. They are still studying the Bill. This is the view of the Bishop of the Province of Karamoja, Anglican.

But, here is one other Christian group, a Church, that has come out unequivocally against the bill.

The United Reformed Church (URC) has become the first major Christian denomination in the

to issue a statement condemning

Uganda

’s proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

In a press release today the Church said that its commitment to justice and equality meant it was ‘appalled’ at the ‘draconian measures’ proposed by Bill.

The URC passed an anti-homophobia resolution at its 1999 General Assembly saying that the: “Assembly condemns violence against homosexual people and urges all members of the United Reformed Church to be vocal in their opposition of homophobia.”

Homophobia was defined as “intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality.”

Simon Loveitt, the URC’s spokesperson on public issues said: “This draft legislation represents a clear infringement of human rights and is morally repugnant. It also infringes the African principles of ubuntu and we add our voice to the many calling for the immediate withdrawal of this discriminatory Bill.”

Ubuntu is the African concept ‘that my humanity can only be expressed through the humanity of others’

Why Christians? Isnt it becoming a circus? Well, I am caught in the middle. Clearly, the two sides of the debate, as shown above, dont see the same person when they see a gay Ugandan. One sees an appalling threat. Another sees a human being.

God in Heaven!

gug

What to do?

2009-11-25T23:03:00.004+03:00

The blogosphere was saturated. Now, it has hit the mainstream media. Outside Uganda.

What will the country do?

I dont know. I am an interested party. It is my life on line. And, I am not ashamed to ask that the pressure is kept up. That the screws are turned.
Jackfruity takes on the question. She suggests the US should turn off the military aid. Yeah, we are fighting that, the War on Terror. In Somalia, and of course back at home. And, American money is flowing in. Turn off those taps. I personally think it would be effective. But, will it happen? Not likely. America still needs foot soldiers...!

Stephen Lewis. Ahhhhhh! Firebrand. And, friend of Ssempa... I mean, one of his enemies. Apparently, CHOGM is come again. And, President Museveni is the chair. And, Lewis pulls no punches. He dedicates the whole of his speech to it. The chairing is a mockery of Commonwealth principles.

That speech will have most of our LGBT friends ecstatic. A most passionate indictment of homophobia. Yeah, go on guys. Here is a link to the speech.
I know. We are nentherdals here, in Uganda. We dont listen to reason, especially when the subject is homosexuality. Which means that Ssempa will be ecstatic. The homosexual agenda is not pulling its punches.

I am kind of amazed at the international solidarity. But, the bill, that Bill is so infuriating, that one just has to read it to get incessed. To hell with finessing. Of course, we shall have a backlash. But, for the good of the world, we can suffer a little bit. Expose the homophobes. Let Ugandan leaders understand that they cannot just kill their people, just because they are 'dirty'. Yes, let them know that the price is international distaste.

America's Cultural wars. Sigh.......! Before, it was the war on terror. Now, this one was so covert, I was on the front line but didnt know it. Not at all!
Enough already?.... Oh, well. Like all victims of war, one never ever chooses to be there. So, enough with the whining. But, we have some very interesting allies. Maybe the frontlines are not that well defined! I mean Exodus International. But still, it is good to have some intelligence of the wider war, not the battle infront of me. Interesting. A tug on my mind.... Concentrate!

Just found that my little piece of battle is part of a wider war.

And, a neighbouring country, Rwanda, is actually in the same war. Amazing. Someone asks, why does our money go to people who dont share our democratic ideals but our religious ones.... especially the conservative ones? Subsidising homophobia. What can I comment, there?

So, what will my Ugandan leaders do?

They will condemn me as un-patriotic. Thank you very much, but the idea that I, a citizen have to debate about my liberty, my life is something not meant to shape my patriotism. Or lack of it. So, for any Ugandan who thinks like so.... ask yourself why I have to be more 'patriotic' than you, dear friend.

Ssempa and co will be happy. The international attention. What they are not happy about is the fact that even their allies are not happy. That is why the churches have to continue with their pressure.
Will the govt duck responsibility?

Of course, they will. But, how to let this all go 'quietly'? That may be a problem....!

But, meantime, I keep up the pressure. I have no option.

gug

Stephen Lewis Speech at CHOGM

2009-11-25T14:50:00.000+03:00

I cannot do any favours to this speech, picking and choosing what to put here.

I will just give a link to the full text of the speech. What has been reported is causing waves elsewhere. But, this is a case of the report being too shallow. If it doesnt contain the whole. Nothing else will do.

I am a citizen of the world. Sometimes, I forget that my small world is a microcosm of a bigger one.

But, this speech reminds me that, it is not ALL ABOUT ME.

Download it. Then sit down and read it. It has a lot to offer. To anyone.

gug

gug

Loving Hate

2009-11-25T10:40:00.000+03:00

I am in a war.

No. It is not my choice. I have not asked for it. Just that I was born at a time and place, and of a sexual orientation that is different from the rest of the world.

I don’t understand why the enemy fights me.

True, I don’t really understand. But, my understanding goes as far as knowing that they really will stop at nothing to win their war.

They say that they love me. So, all that they do, in the name of their god, they do for love of me. I didn’t ask them for their love. No. I didn’t. What I see is that I am a fellow human being. A citizen of this earth. But, they say they are the inheritors. And, they would want to drive out all those who are like me. Of course in the name of love, and Christ. And religion.

They have lots of justifications. I do not claim to understand all their logic. All the long winded arguments. What I understand is that they are persecuting me. And, if I was to ask, why are you persecuting me, why are you hitting out at me, they answer, like in this story, ‘you are dirty.’

I am so dirty that thieves, murderers and others have the right to beat me infront of the authorities. What is my God licensnced crime? Just read the story which I picked up here.

“Almost three decades later, I found myself in a concentration camp at the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

“One early morning, I heard someone screaming. When I followed the voice, a habitual offender jailed for the second time for aggravated robbery and another one sentenced to life for murder, was brutally clubbing a fellow inmate in front of a prison guard. When I asked the guard, why he sanctioned the beating, he answered simply “he’s dirty.” Another inmate who noticed my bewilderment told me that the hapless boy is gay.””

Yes. That is my crime, before my country mates. Fellow humans. Fellow Africans. That is my crime, the one that brings out all the hate in you.

I am gay.

I hear the cries down the centuries. The condemning voices. ‘He is a Jew’. ‘He is a Cockroach, a Tutsi.’, in Kenya it was, ‘He is Jaluo’, or, ‘he is Kikuyu’. In

South Africa

, it is damning, as they beat and torch ‘foreigners’, ‘He is a foreigner’.

No further explanation is needed for our unthinking hate. And, it is hate.

I cannot deny being a human being like you. You look too much like me for me to deny we are related. I don’t understand your hate. But, it still hurts.

I am in a war, not of my choosing. And, an arrow into my chest hurts as much as it would hurt, shot into yours.

I am in a war to the death. I will not hold back, because I don’t understand your hate of me.

gug

Movement, in the Episcopal Church

2009-11-24T18:35:00.001+03:00

Executive Council members call for special meeting on

Uganda

legislation

By Mary Frances Schjonberg,

[Episcopal News Service] A teleconference meeting of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council will take place on Dec. 7 to discuss a possible statement on Ugandan legislation that would imprison for life or execute people who violate that country's anti-homosexuality laws.

Sixteen members of the council requested the meeting with a handwritten petition that said a motion would be offered at the meeting "regarding the urgent human rights situation in Uganda."

Homosexuality in the African nation currently carries a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment. If passed, the proposed bill would extend prison sentences for homosexuals up to and including life imprisonment and introduce the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," which includes assault against people under the age of 18 and those with disabilities. It also would give Ugandan courts jurisdiction over Ugandan citizens who violate the law "partly outside or partly in Uganda."

The Executive Council, an elected group of clergy, laity and bishops that carries out the programs and policies adopted by the General Convention, according to Canon I.4 (1)(a), normally meets three to four times a year. The next meeting is set for Feb. 19-22.

However, the Presiding Bishop as president of the council may call a special meeting and a minimum of nine council members may petition in writing for such a meeting under Canon I.4 (4)(a).

The last special meeting occurred April 13, 2005 when then-Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold called a one-day meeting in Mundelein, Illinois near Chicago to formulate a response to a request of the Anglican Communion's primates that the Episcopal Church voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council until the next meeting of the 2008 Lambeth Conference. The minutes of that meeting are here and the response is here.

The 16 members circulated the petition amongst themselves at a Nov. 17-20 gathering in Chicago of the Episcopal Church's so-called interim bodies, the Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards (commonly know as CCABs). The members were at the meeting in their roles as council liaisons to the church's standing commissions. All council members who were approached to sign the petition, agreed to do so, according to Sarah Dylan Breuer, council member from Massachusetts and one of the signers.

The council members' request came on the same day that the Chicago Consultation, a group of lay and ordained Episcopalians, called on Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Henri Orombi of Uganda to speak out against the legislation. None of them has issued any statements thus far.

also, they quote....

The Anglican Church of Uganda on Nov. 6 issued a press release saying that it is studying the bill and does not yet have an official position on the proposed legislation. However, the release restated the Ugandan church's position that "homosexual behavior is immoral and should not be promoted, supported, or condoned in any way as an 'alternative lifestyle.'"
And AllAfrica.com reported Oct. 29 that the church's provincial secretary told the Monitor newspaper in Kampala, Uganda that jailing homosexuals was preferable to executing them. "If you kill the people, to whom will the message go? We need to have imprisonment for life if the person is still alive," said the Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye, according to the website.

Contrast this opinion with that of the dreaded, foreigners who are Christian...

Alexander Baumgarten, director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, recently toldENS that "the Episcopal Church, like the Anglican Communion as a whole, is very clear in its support for the human rights of all people, including gay and lesbian persons."
"For us in the Episcopal Church, that means we oppose all abuses of human rights, whether in our own midst or in other parts of the world, and we seek to make that opposition known through our ministry of advocacy," he said.

Is it the same world? Is it the same church?

I belong to only the world. Not the church. I watch. I wait. I will see. God willing, if I am still alive.

gug

Two Divergent Opinions. In Uganda

2009-11-24T09:34:00.001+03:00

Debate, in the Monitor.

Yes, they seem commited to debate. Independence is a funny thing. Monitor journalists may be homophobic personally, but, they are susceptible to reason. So, when there is a debate on, they dare to tackle debate about homosexuality in Uganda.

Sadly, the biggest circulation paper is the New Vision, a government daily, which once upon a time was strongly inclined towards debate. Now, it is so silent that you may laugh. They are hobbled. By ‘policy’. Poor New Vision…’for a better Uganda’!

Here are two opinion pieces from the Monitor.

We must not lose the battle against homosexuality

REV. DR. FRED S. MWESIGWA senior lecturer at Uganda Christian University, Mukono

fsmwesigwa@educ.ucu.ac.ug

And, why MUST we NOT lose this war? His arguments run along this.

A minority have NO rights in a democracy.
I quote “I strongly argue that this will be a bold statement about how democratic Uganda is. Madill has a wrong notion of democracy that subscribes to the view that a minority who decide to promote un-African and un-Godly sexual expressions should have their rights safeguarded in a democratic country.”
In the ‘West’ Christians are running away from homosexual accepting churches.
We should not allow a ‘dictation’ by the minority through ‘political correctness’
I quote, “one of the main problems of the western world is the acceptance of the dictatorship of the minority whereby in order to be seen to be politically correct, the majority will eventually give in to any wayward group to save face. In some countries of the western world, it is now a human right to walk naked in some areas and some beaches have been gazetted nudist by naturists. Question is, if you concede ground to homosexuality, aren’t you opening a flood-gate for other aberrations like bestiality?”
We should not ‘compromise on moral issues’
And, in Uganda of course, homosexuality is a bigger moral issue than rampart corruption. Of course.
Ugandans are ‘some of the most loving human beings on earth’ “but they hold true to strong cultural and religious values that abhor the sin of homosexuality, much as they love the homosexuals and desire to see them change.”
Well, I am a Ugandan who is gay, and, I am yet to see this very starling characteristic of my countrymates. Hey Christians, when will you ever understand the hypocrisy of loving the sin and hating the sinner… or the other way around!

And, we end with this dire prediction. “The time is now for Parliament to declare whether

Uganda

should dance to every tune that is played by western countries. If the Anti-homosexuality Bill fails to be passed, as sure as night follows day, I can visualise a plethora of sexual aberrations that will be fronted as human rights issues in

Uganda

in the not so distant future”

Well. what a BROADSIDE!

But, there is a divergent opinion, which seems weak besides that well coached and arousing call to action.

It matters to understand uniqueness of gay people

KIFLU HUSSAIN

Mr Kiflu is an Ethiopian Refugee living in Uganda

kiflukam@yahoo.com

For a moment, I thought I had written the story. Yeah, the ‘uniqueness of gay people’!!!!!

But, then I saw first the laying down of heterosexual credentials. NB. In Uganda, you MUST be able to convince others that you are not gay.

But, he brings about another of those things which, for some reason, Africans see as wrong. Left handedness. I can vouch for such a story. I do remember, in my primary, a child being beaten for writing with his left hand. Made an impression that has never deserted me.

“Except me, all my family members are right handed. That left handedness was discovered when I began to go to school. Right away, a self-righteous teacher made it her mission to set me right from the devilish position of the leftists. She didn’t succeed except leaving in my psyche a lasting negative impression of schools.”
Almost three decades later, I found myself in a concentration camp at the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
“One early morning, I heard someone screaming. When I followed the voice, a habitual offender jailed for the second time for aggravated robbery and another one sentenced to life for murder, was brutally clubbing a fellow inmate in front of a prison guard. When I asked the guard, why he sanctioned the beating, he answered simply “he’s dirty.” Another inmate who noticed my bewilderment told me that the hapless boy is gay.”
Then, he comments on the Public ‘Dialogue’. Well, it is good that my impression of the football hooligan atmosphere was not a figment of my mind. And, I also was impressed by the pseudo-science of Mr Stephen Langa.
”While the panelists from Hon. Bahati down to Prof. Tamale presented their respective position well, the audience, especially, those favouring the bill behaved almost like football hooligans.”
Unfortunately, since the bill itself is intended to feed on peoples age-old prejudices, it’d have been no wonder to witness worst scenarios. Still, thanks to that dialogue that inspired me to do my own little research, I found out that Mr Stephen Langa’s assertion on the possibility of a homosexual being converted has little scientific foundation. From Sigmund Freud down to successive scientists confirmed that conversion for the most part is neither possible nor desirable. Hence, I concluded that despite Langa’s commendable effort to cloak his presentation with pseudo-scientific facts, the scholarship of Prof. Sylvia Tamale and the pragmatism of Major Rubaramira Ruranga carried the day.”

It is a pity the guy is a ‘foreigner’, an Ethiopian. I would have lauded his reasoning. Of course! But, he is at least an African (Sniff!). We are not totally hopeless…!

gug

Denying the Facts

2009-11-23T21:25:00.000+03:00

Have you read the bill?

Pertinent question, because, it comes as a shock when one reads it and sees the wide ranging provisions against the gay Ugandan.

But, it is more astounding that some people are going around denying what is in their bill. Ssempa, the guy who has admitted to being one of the major influences behind the bill is one of the people doing exactly that.

I call such a thing a lie. Yes, even when it is uttered by a pastor. A man of God like Ssempa.

I see no way to go around that fact. I know that I don’t like the guy, but, when he goes around insisting black is white, I am at first incredulous. He is not correct. He knows the truth, because he is one of the architects of the bill, he has been giving it out to other people, and he can read. And, most damning, the Bill has been public for a long time. I mean, drafts of the bill were out there. And, since then, they have become official, being published in the Uganda Gazette. There is no longer a need for the ‘man of god’ to lie.

Like a politician, he shades the truth. When people challenge him about the provision for the ‘death penalty’, this compassionate man of god piously says that it is just making it in par with what is happening to the ‘girl child’ in Uganda. This is no more, no less than the equal provision for the ‘boy child’. Fact, both sexes of children are adequately covered for, with equal language, in the existing law. Sex with minors of both sexes is illegal, and heavily punishable.

In Uganda, lots of people are convinced that this champion of the weak is fighting a gigantic battle. In the dialogue, he went ahead to say that, the gay agenda is very, very strong. That it is fighting very strong people like Obama. Yeah, those were his words. And, the crowd lapped it up. They cheered on their man.

And, this is not the only place where he stretches the truth.

The bill actually deals with under-age sex in a single line. Ssempa wants to give the impression that this is the only thing that it deals with.

The bill is a monster. A huge, gargantuan monster. And, it is the millstone to hang around Ssempa’s neck. To hang him with. He has owned to it, let me make sure that he doesn’t escape its suffocating hold. Not in Uganda. Not outside Uganda.

If you dare believe Ssempa, get a copy of the Bill. Gazzeted in the

Uganda

Gazette. Or, a pirate copy which is, what I have here. It is accurate, I assure you!

But, Ssempa is not the only one trying to run away from his, err, Christian responsibility. Yeah, and, I will use that particular weight to sink him. He is a man of god, who seems insistent on leading his flock way off the beaten path. On paths tread by people like Hitler.

Here is a very interesting investigation into the hidden world of exported ideals. Of course, the good Christians in America are not responsible for the sins of their acolytes. No. Of course not. But, see the connection between Nsaba-Buturo, Bahati, Benson-Obua, and the ‘College of Prayer’. Apparently, our parliamentarians even send copies of bills for ‘vetting’ to their good Christian mentors’ in the US. Those who are not responsible for the bill.

Now, this does make me mad. I actually thought that the report ‘Globalising of Culture Wars’ was, (forgive the sceptic in me), a Conspiracy theory.

No longer. There is too much ‘circumstantial evidence’. Here. The research was not mine, so I will direct you where you will drink it in and judge for yourself.

GayUganda

Monday Morning

2009-11-23T09:57:00.000+03:00

Sun’s out strong, bright.

Beneath the trees, one hears the song of birds. The air is cool, refreshing, touching. Clear, a damp, cool breeze on the skin. A carress.

Woke up late, in his arms. Didn’t want to leave. Very confortable there. I procrastinated, till it he had to leave. Dissapointed, I drifted off into sleep again. Woke again and was tempted outside by the fresh beauty of the morning.

Have been thoughtful. As always…!

Fact is, my world, our world is always beautiful. And, always ugly. It is a struggle to reconcile the beauty with the ugliness. We cannot dwell too much on what is ugly. Yet we cannot forget that it is. Life is the flow of a stream, the course is not smooth, nor predictable.

So, my country is sanctioning a gay genocide.

It is odd that such a terrible statement is true. And yet, the people who are behind it are also adamant that they love gay people. They are just fearful of the spread of the gay disease. Not AIDS. Homosexuality. They fear for themselves. They fear for their children. And, their fear has translated into a fight for life, for people like me. And, we are losing. What horrible things fear can justify! Imagined fears are more portent than those which are not imagined.

The Rev. Gideon B. Byamugisha, the guy who I wrote that he was not afraid of being called a tri-sexual? Well, I should have remembered him. He is one of those heroes of Uganda’s fight against HIV. A bonafide hero. Not a self serving nincompoop like Ssempa. His article was interesting.

It is a small world. Which someone in the US makes abundantly clear. I love this brief, touching, summary. Read the full article here. But here is what I have lifted.

“Take the bad and make it better. But there are no maybes for the gay men of

Uganda

. There is only the prospect of brutal punishment. As long as those sanctions exist, as long as our brothers suffer, we are all Ugandans.”

Yes, we are all Ugandans. It is tempting, too easy to throw off the pain of another people. Because we cannot make common cause with them. Or, they are too far, too different, and we are too busy. Odd, brings me back to the first thought. We cannot dwell too much on what is ugly in our world. It is too depressing, too down pulling. But, we cannot also forget that it is.

I would love to make this day rich and fruitful, like one of our fields; the grass dew touched, the hoe going deep into the soil to turn it over, leaving rich dark earth fresh turned behind me. Knowing, that come harvest season, the ears of maize and beans will be rich and abundant.

Which reminds me, I have not yet tasted an ear of maize fresh from the field. Nor have I had any grasshoppers…. Hey, we eat them here in Uganda. They are a delicacy in season at the moment. Rich, crunchy, absolutely mouthwatering!

Have a great day.

gug

A Lovely Sunday Morning here...

2009-11-22T11:07:00.000+03:00

The day is very beautiful. Very, very beautiful.

A day of soft summer or spring. Sun soft, bright, golden. Light is everywhere, lightening the heart, lifting the soul.

It is Sunday. And, a very beautiful Sunday.

Had a great night out. Came back really drunk. Well, my love was with me, and, he made sure that I came back in one piece. Suprisingly, not much of a hangover.

Midmorning, and I have been under a tree, looking out, fascinated at the beauty of a day of spring. A day of sun and light and quiet.

Wrote down a few lines. There is so much pain and pus, corruption in the world, that I will consciously shun it. Because, there is so much beauty that the pus can obstruct my view, cloud my perception.

Reading Wilfred Owen. Fragment of verse, ‘I saw his round mouth’s crimson deepen….’ I like his poetry. The life that he put in his verse. The sense of search, the sense of a man caught up in things that he had to live. He had to bear. But, he didn’t glorify the impossible. Just penned it down with his emotion leaking. Freezing a tiny sliver of time in immemorable words. Striking.

Back to life here.

The Anglican church in Canada have written to their brothers and sisters in Uganda, demanding that they do not support the Anti-Homosexual bill. Demanding.

The tone was taken up by a communiqué from the Episcopal church. Here. I don’t know the hierarchy, of the two organizations. But, I know that I have been working towards such a thing.

I am a gay Ugandan, caught in the midst of a storm that I am trying to understand. I am trying to fight, to do something worth my skin. Because, I have to. I try what I can, I stumble, of course. I am in a poor, third world country, with only a few resources. But those resources I can use, with friends out there.

I know, when I cry in the pain of my fear, some laugh. They cant understand me. I stood in the middle of the debate and listened to some very hateful statements. Good Christian people were saying them. And, I couldn’t point out that they were less than Christian.

I cant. Because I am gay. And I am not Christian.

But, I can ask their brothers and sisters to check them. And, they are doing so.

What amuses me is the fact that they are not taking the ‘diplomatic’ way. Not this time. They are actually demanding, unequivocal, and direct. They demand that the Church of Uganda, Anglican, comes out and OPPOSE the bill. No two ways about it. Because the bill IS NOT Christian. And they are.

Kuddos to them.

Does two things for me. Takes back the moral high ground from the Church of Uganda. They are doing the non-Christian thing. The uncharitable thing. Despite them being the Champions of Biblical Christianity, as they have accused their current accusers of appostosizing.

And, because their demand is so clear, unequivocal, it puts pressure on the Church of Uganda.

And, it puts pressure on the others who are silent. Leornado has a good post on those who say they must stay silent. The pressure is growing, because, how can you be the person who passes by the traveler who fell amongst robbers? You look on him and, decide, for a reason or another, that you cannot do anything? Who will be the Good Samaritan?

By the way, another deafening silence is coming from the Catholic Church. Uh! Anyone out there to help put some pressure on Gay Catholics? No, I am not joking. The Catholic Church, in and out of Uganda, has the ability to affect what happens to this bill. And, it is within their twisted thinking that I am not to be killed or imprisoned. Tell these guys to say something. Of course, if it is negative, I will burn them up. In cyber.

I know. We are all human beings.

I don’t make the ideals. I pick and choose those which I live by. But, I do realize that I can use them to make others act.

So, I am not Christian. No. I am not. But, what is to stop me from asking Christians to live up to their ideals? What is to stop me from asking Christians to stop persecuting me… in the name of Christ?

Some may not listen. I hope, a few, enough will listen.

And, let me end with a very Christian article from the Rev. Gideon B Byamugisha. He is not afraid of being called a trisexual. And, he defends the diversity of Ugandans. In Uganda.

An excerpt

Continued destruction
We cannot argue also that we are striving to protect our traditional family and community values by choosing not to love but to destroy fellow citizens.

We have a right as Parliament and as citizens to debate on what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, ‘lawful’ or ‘unlawful’, ‘faithful’ and ‘unfaithful’, ‘sinful’ or ‘saintly’ ‘good’ or ‘bad’ ,‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ in sex, sexuality, and sexual health or any other sector.
But to legislate against individuals because they choose to perform their sexual antics in a way that is different from my own thinking, appreciation, liking or even to traditions is stretching my ‘Godly’ values and morals.

Yes, the monitor has definitely joined the debate. And, is pro-gay. Those are the articles which were not getting published. They will listen, though not the likes of Ssempa. But, those who aren’t too hate incensed will listen, and wonder…!

gug

Advocates to outlaws, and other issues...

2009-11-21T21:26:00.000+03:00

A good summary of what has been happening.

Uganda

's gays: from advocates to outlaws

By Ben Simon (AFP)

KAMPALA — If Uganda?s recently tabled Anti-Homosexuality Bill becomes law, Frank Mugisha and other individuals found campaigning for gay rights will face the choice of going to jail or leaving the country.

Mugisha heads Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a leading sexual rights advocacy group that could soon be classed a criminal organization.

"I have never really considered moving out of

Uganda

. But if I cannot work within the country, then I will have to leave," said Mugisha.

The bill has baffled legal experts who read it as the product of an over-zealous Evangelical community that is clueless about both

Uganda

?s constitution and international law.

But for the bill?s proponents, chief among them Ethics and Integrity Minister James Nsaba Buturo, who has repeatedly alleged that there exists an organized, western-backed plot to recruit people into homosexuality, the law is necessary to confront a national emergency.

Homosexuality is spreading, Buturo argues, and if people like Mugisha aren?t stopped they will continue to lure impressionable youths into their sinful lifestyle and thereby threaten the perpetuation of the Ugandan people.

"Who is going to occupy

Uganda

in 20 years if we all become homosexuals? We know that homosexuals don?t reproduce," Buturo said last year when announcing plans to table the bill.

[Yes, I know, you are now seriously concerned for Buturo's state of reasoning. He is a PhD mind you, an MP and a minister. Seems doesnt save him from stupid, conspiratory theories? Why cant such an educated man reason?]

But, for statements of questionable intelligence, Ssempa has some. He is actually enjoying the accolade in Uganda. At very long last, his fight against gays in Uganda is on a roll.

Sylvia Tamale of Kampala?s Makerere University Law School told AFP.

For Tamale, the bill?s composition reveals an absence of qualified legal input and an unhealthy amount of input from people like Martin Ssempa, a prominent Evangelical pastor and internationally known anti-gay crusader who has confirmed having contributed to the bill.

"It would be political suicide for any Ugandan politician to vote against this. Leaders will have to ask themselves, do I listen to my own people, or ... to top down orders coming from New York and the UN," he added.

Ssempa seems to relish the criticism hurled at him by western rights groups, but he is concerned the proposal will create a fissure within the Evangelical Church.

"The western church is going to find itself increasingly at odds with the African church and find itself in a situation where there is a split like in the Anglican Church," he said.

Ssempa told AFP he was disappointed by a recent statement by American mega-Pastor Rick Warren, who delivered the convocation at

president Barack Obama?s Inauguration.

Warren did not mention the Anti-Homosexuality Bill specifically, but said he and his wife ended their relationship with Ssempa, "when we learned that his views and actions were in serious conflict with our own".

I seriously believe there is something wrong with the way Ssempa thinks. But then, I am gay.... And he is anti-gay. But, more important is, he is feeling the pressure. And, we hope to puncture more of his ebbulience. Unfortunately, real stupidity has no cure. But, is Ssempa stupid, or just very clever. No, I am not saying stupid as in abuse. Stupid as in an observation of his actions..... Eh, you may not find any difference!

The article continues...

I read this op-ed in the LA Times, and I had to shake my head. No. I am not commenting. Just follow the link

Homophobia and AIDS funding can't coexist

The

U.S.

sends millions of dollars in relief money to

Uganda

, which is considering a draconian law aimed at homosexuals.

Does it help, or hurt? I know, Ssempa and Bahati are very happy with such headlines. But, I also understand a gay man in the US who would put this pressure on. Why send hand outs to a country that thinks your sexuality is so bad, they want to 'eliminate' their own homosexuals?

Of this article in the Guardian, I seriously liked the last lines, which I am lifting to here. Because they show the state of mind of the, on the roll, anti-gay group. They fascinate me. The players. I had never met Bahati, and was prepared to hate him when I saw him at the debate. But, I couldnt. I can feel the hate that oozes from Ssempa. I can feel disgust and horror at Langa doing an intellectual justification of a genocide. But, Bahati, he is just a dupe. Sorry, he is THE dupe.

Here are the lines from the Guardian

Uganda

's ethics and integrity minister, James Nsaba Buturo, told IPS that "it is with joy we see that everyone is interested in what

Uganda

is doing, and it is an opportunity for

Uganda

to provide leadership where it matters most".

David Bahati, the MP who introduced the bill, defended it by saying "homosexuality is not a human right. It is a foreign behaviour imported and promoted by people using the poverty in our country to expound bad behaviour".

[I love collecting such statements. They show the real state of mind of the anti-gay group here.

Buturo is seriously happy that Uganda is showing 'international leadership'. You know, you may look at him and wonder whether he is serious. And even doubt his sanity. And, you cant really believe the statement. But he is. Very serious. He is happy and enjoying the roll. God help Uganda]

Now, pick this from somewhere else

The Ugandan government will put to death gay citizens repeatedly caught having sex and throw into jail those who touch each other in a "gay" way, if a new proposed bill becomes law.

A new bill, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, seeks to legislate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people in

Uganda

. And it wants to pave the way for its harsh treatment of them by nullifying any international treaties, conventions or declarations believed to be contrary to it.

Why do I feel the incredulous tone in those opening lines? Yet, this is the absolute truth. Ssempa and group are amazing. They brush these details off, saying they are protecting the 'boy-child'. I am also incredulous, but, these guys are deadly serious. How does one deal with this kind of schizophrenia? It IS madness.

"The bill is so inhumane ... It violates every aspect of a human being. I mean you cannot tell me you will kill me because I'm gay," says Gerald Sentogo, the gay administrator for the organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda.

Dont worry Gerald, we are all in the same boat!

But, the quotes from the other end of the anti-gay spectrum are incredulously funny. They would be anyway. Here are some choice ones.

The International Leadership quote.

But

Uganda

's ethics and integrity minister sees the uproar surrounding the bill as a positive sign that

Uganda

is "providing leadership" to the world. The minister, James Nsaba Buturo, says he is happy the bill is causing a lot of debate globally.

"It is with joy we see that everyone is interested in what

Uganda

is doing, and it is an opportunity for

Uganda

to provide leadership where it matters most. So we are here to see a piece of legislation that will not only define what the country stands for, but actually provide leadership around the world," he says.

Back in the days when the Church of Uganda had an official stand, the spokesperson had said these things.

Religious leaders from the Orthodox Church, Pentecostal Church and Islam, in appearing before the Parliamentary and Presidential Affairs Committee, say the law against homosexuality was timely, but they were opposed to the death penalty.

Reverend Canon Aaron Mwesigye Kafundizeki, the Church of Uganda provincial secretary, says: "It is an important law, but the provision related to the death penalty may prevent this law from being passed, because death should not be accepted as a punishment. Therefore propose another form of punishment instead of death."

Kafundizeki said pushing for extra territorial jurisdiction would be counter-productive.

"The Church of Uganda is saying we need to limit ourselves to the Ugandan territory, instead of extra territorial jurisdiction, because the Ugandan constitution is very clear on protocols and ratifications. Going beyond the borders will be counter-productive," he says.

Yes, the only objections they had were those. All the others are stellar bits of legislation. Fact is, he said that they should 'emphasize life imprisonment' more than the death penalty.

And, you know what happened? Christians from abroad were so horrified that, the Church of Uganda withdrew its official position. And, now has no position on the bill. They are still studying it.

Know which other Church is still studying it? Catholics.... Mum, to date. Not even a whisper of anything.

A Hate campaign? No. Says Bahati.

Bahati denies claims that he is involved in a hate campaign.

"I moved a private Member's bill not because I'm involved in a hate campaign, but because there are enormous threats to the traditional family values as we know them in

Uganda

. We don't believe in our country that for a man to sleep with a man, and for a woman to have sexual intercourse with another woman, is a human right.

"We know that homosexuals are getting money from abroad. They are using that to influence our young people into this behaviour, and we cannot sit back and see this happen," he says.

If I was not so intimately involved in this thing, I would really find this funny. That now, it is the Episcopal Church which is thinking the Church of Uganda amiss, somehow in the head.

No, they have not issued a statement.

But, the pressure is on.

I must say, I dont know the internal politics of the various churches. I try to keep my knowledge to the minimum... So, I dont know how this helps, but, I believe it helps!

"The Episcopal Church, like the Anglican Communion as a whole, is very clear in its support for the human rights of all people, including gay and lesbian persons," said Alexander Baumgarten, director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations. "For us in the Episcopal Church, that means we oppose all abuses of human rights, whether in our own midst or in other parts of the world, and we seek to make that opposition known through our ministry of advocacy."

The Chicago Consultation on Nov. 20 called on four prominent church leaders to raise their voices in opposition to the bill.

In letters sent to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Henri Orombi of

Uganda

, the consultation called the bill "draconian anti-gay legislation" and urged the leaders to speak out against it.

Baumgarten noted that for the past several weeks, the Episcopal Church "has encouraged Episcopalians who have contacted us on this issue to be in touch with their own elected officials. As of the present moment, we are very encouraged by the engagement of the U.S. State Department, which has called the law a 'significant step backwards for human rights,' and has given public assurances that it is addressing the matter with the Ugandan government. It is our understanding that neither the Ugandan government nor the Church of the Province of Uganda (Anglican) has taken a position on this legislation."

So,

where does all this leave me? With lots of stuff to read. And, little knowledge whether my reading will save the day.

Keep up the pressure. Please.

I am ashamed on behalf of my countrymen. (there are few women doing the anti-gay thing!) But, well, that is the kind of war that it is.

And, it is no less deadly.

Have a good day

Should you Comment, as a 'Foreigner'?

2009-11-21T12:34:00.002+03:00

Someone was commenting about the letter from Exodus. He or she detailed the news, and then came up with this conclusion.

I might oppose such legislation in my home country, but I don't think it is the place of foreigners to tell Ugandans how to run their country. Let Uganda be Uganda.

Of course, me being me, I was not happy at that kind of complacency.

So, me being me, I lashed out. Furiously. I am sorry. I dont actually have the patience for someone to give me empty excuses... We are all residents of this small world.
Here was my comment.

Funny, I am a Ugandan, desperately worried because of this bill in parliament. If it passes, which most likely it will, I and my partner will face life imprisonment, or death, once caught.

Is it suprising that I dont mind anyone, even a 'foreigner' speaking out for me? Especially when I cannot speak out myself in my country about this bill?

I used to like Political correctness until I realised that life does not follow its rules. My country mates plan to kill me, and, you fear to say no, because you dont think you as a foreigner should comment?

Happened in Nazi Germany. For Jews, and homosexuals. Happened in Rwanda as recently as 20 years ago.

When, I pray, do you as a 'foreigner' plan to challenge my murderers that they have gone beyond the pale of humanity? When I am dead?

Do you really think that will help?

Probably, by the time this blogger posts this post, the person would have already deleted the comment.