The increasingly targeted attacks on gay people in a number of African countries, which are thought to have to led the murder this week of outspoken Ugandan gay activist, David Kato, will contribute to an increase in HIV infections, says Christian Aid.

Kato, whose name and photograph recently appeared on the front page of anti-gay Kampala-based newspaper Rolling Stone, under the headline ‘Hang Them’, was beaten to death in his home, Ugandan police confirmed yesterday.

Nina O’Farrell, Head of HIV at Christian Aid, said today:  ‘It is vital to defend the rights of specific groups who are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, including gay people, who also suffer from heightened stigma and discrimination, which in many cases makes them less likely to access to HIV treatment, care and support.

‘Our work is founded on Christian faith and inspired by hope. We believe that all people are created equal, with inherent dignity and infinite worth. We act to change an unjust world, helping people to claim the rights owed to them by virtue of their humanity.’

ends

If you would like further information please contact Emma Pomfret on 07554 024 539 or email epomfret@christian-aid.org or Sarah Wilson on 07930 341 525 or swilson@christian-aid.org. 24 hour press duty phone – 07850 242950

Notes to Editors

1. The term ‘gay people’ in the press release above is intended to encompass lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.

2. Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the lives they deserve.

3. Christian Aid has a vision, an end to global poverty, and we believe that vision can become a reality. Our report, Poverty Over, explains what we believe needs to be done – and can be done – to end poverty.  Details at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/poverty-over-report.pdf

4.  Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of 100 churches and church-related organisations that work together inhumanitarian assistance and development. Further details at http://www.actalliance.org

5. Follow Christian Aid’s newswire on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caid

6. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit www.christianaid.org.uk

The post Christian Aid warns that anti gay attacks will lead to rise in HIV cases first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Pastor Martin Ssempa

Bahati was barred from attending the International Consortium of Governmental Financial Management Conference aimed at discussing how emerging international standards are being adopted to bring transparency in public financial management. He was set to attend the conference with five other Ugandan MPs, but he was barred.

This followed sustained pressure and a petition by US gay rights activists to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for Bahati to be denied a US visa and to the conference organisers to deny the MP any opportunity to attend and possibly address the conference.

After failing to prevail on the US government to deny Bahati a visa, several US groups turned their pressure on the ICGFM not to allow Bahati to attend the conference, and they succeeded.

The ICGFM conference spokesperson Doug Hadden confirmed that although Bahati was registered to attend, the Ugandan MP will not be allowed to the conference.

“In my volunteer role as VP of Communications for ICGFM, I can confirm that he is not at our conference, nor will he be permitted to enter the conference. As you can imagine, from a very non-political organization, doing good work in sharing good practices in public financial management, we have been placed in a very uncomfortable position,” Hadden said in a statement.

Bahati attracted international ire for proposing the Anti Homosexuality bill in Uganda’s Parliament which seeks stiffer punishments for those engaged in or promoting homosexuality in Uganda. But Ssempa says while strongly disagreeing with Bahati might be understandable, stopping him from attending a conference is going overboard.

“It is a tragedy that homosexuals have taken their pitchforks to try and attack David Bahati. It shows that western civilization is ruled by a mob of people committed to sexual deviance,” Ssempa said in an interview with Ultimate Media on Wednesday.

“It is amazing that Bahati, a man who has never killed or injured anyone, who is treasurer of Uganda’s ruling NRM party is denied entry into a financial conference because of his stand on an issue,” Ssempa adds.

He says the stopping of Bahati from attending the conference showed the intolerance of some Americans, and he described the action as racist and one that” smells of apartheid”.

“It is like American conferences are only for homosexuals and their partners or supporters,” Ssempa said, adding that the action was reminiscent of the times when blacks were not allowed into white people organized conferences because of the fact that they are black.

But many gay rights activists argued that it would be improper to allow Bahati to attend a conference in the US despite proposing what many believe is an intolerant legislation against gay minorities. Among others, gay rights activists are concerned about the proposal of a death penalty for those convicted of homosexuality with minors, as well as a prison sentence for whoever knows about and doesn’t report a homosexual.

But Ssempa accuses the critics of the bill of exaggerating the proposed sentences and for intimidating whoever opposes homosexuality, a practice he says is not permitted in African societies and is being imposed by westerners.

However, David Kato of Sexual Minorities Uganda says the bill goes against the inclusive spirit necessary for Uganda’s economic as well as political development and will result in abuses of rights of gay people. He says the constitution of Uganda forbids discrimination on the basis of sex, and gay people have a right to practice their sexual orientation.

Ssempa insists that whatever the differences in opinion and belief on the issue of gays, it was uncivil for ICGFM and gay activists to deny Bahati attendance without even hearing him out.

“All family loving Americans should stand up and at least ensure Bahati is given a chance to explain his views,” he says. Bahati will be hosted on the Rachael Maddow show on MSNBC TV tomorrow.

Related links

The Draft Anti Homosexuality Bill– as proposed by David Dahati

Uganda Anti Homosexuality Bill– Wikipedia

David Bahati responds to Rick Warren

Warren Throckmorton on Uganda and the Anti-homosexuality bill

Uganda national Pastors Taskforce against homosexuality

Uganda Sexual Minorities

By Ultimate Media

The post Uganda Anti- Homosexuality activists criticize denial of MP David Bahati Entry to Washington D.C Conference first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Joyce Meyers

Through her Joyce Meyers Ministries, she said that the bill is an attack on individual liberties and human rights of people in Uganda.

“Our missions and ministry message has always been to teach that the Word of God is about helping people – all people – learn that God loves them and has a purpose for their lives, not put guilt or condemnation on them,” the statement reads in part.

The Anti Homosexuality Bill proposed by Ndorwa West MP, David Bahati seeks to put heavier punishments to people engaged in homosexuality and punish those who fail to report people engaged in same sex relations. Among others, the bill proposes a death penalty for those who engage in homosexuality with minors and homosexuals who are infected with HIV.

It also proposes a four year jail and heavy fine for anyone who fails to report someone they know is engaged in homosexuality related actions.

Buy Joyce Meyers says “this hostile legislation will also further, and adversely, serve as a major setback in the global health efforts to combat Uganda’s AIDS epidemic and reduce the record-high infection rates among the country’s HIV population, an already at-risk community that could be further ostracized, threatened, and targeted as potential criminals”.

The statement follows intense pressure on Joyce Meyer whose evangelical shows are widely broadcast in Uganda and has herself made two trips to the East African country, to pronounce herself on the proposed legislation that has generated a lot debate in Uganda and abroad.

“As a global society, we do not have to agree, endorse or condone the lifestyle choices of others. However, history has taught us that we equally cannot and should not excuse those who would hide behind religion or misuse God’s word to justify bigotry and persecution,” Meyer says.

Joyce Meyer Ministries say while their intention is not to interfere in the politics and internal affairs of Uganda, they have a moral and ethical duty as “believers” to speak out against injustice wherever it may be in the world.

Churches, President cautious on Homosexuality Bill

The Anti homosexuality Bill which is supported by most sections of Uganda was tabled before Parliament, although Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has warned MPs against discussing or passing the bill before consulting with his cabinet to ensure the country’s interests are protected.

Museveni’s government has been under pressure from different international human rights organizations and governments, and has even received a call from US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton over the bill.

The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Uganda have also distanced themselves from the bill reasoning that homosexuals need spiritual and moral guidance instead of condemnation and prosecution. They are also concerned that many clerics will be arrested if homosexual followers confide in them.

Ultimate Media

The post Joyce Meyer criticises Uganda’s Anti Homosexuality Bill first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.