Kasha Jacqueline Receives Nuremberg Award

Congratulations to LGBTI rights campaigner Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, who today received the 2013 Nuremberg International Human Rights Award:

On Sunday, 30 September, 2012, the jury of the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award, chaired by the Lord Mayor of the City of Nuremberg, Dr. Ulrich Maly, met in the Hirsvogel Hall of the Tucher Mansion Museum and made the following decision concerning the tenth award [pictured above].

The Award will be presented in Nuremberg Opera House on Sunday, 29 September, 2013.

You can read more about Kasha, and why she's up for the award, here.

In 2011, a fellow collague of Kasha's, Frank Mugisha, was awarded the Rafto Prize and, earlier this year, a doctorate by Ghent University for his work with SMUG.

Women Deserve Rape

Carrying on Uganda's farcical list of ministers, including the Minister for Ethics who raided an LGBTI workshop, thinks women should be arrested for wearing short skirts and that raping girls is natural.

Now we have the Youth Affairs Minister, Ronald Kibuule, who believes that women are responsible for being raped if they are not dressed 'appropriately,' and should even be arrested for inviting the crime:

In the Daily Monitor of 24th September, Youth Affairs Minister Ronald Kibuule went on record with the notion that women dressed indecently have asked to be raped and suspects who have raped such women should be released. To quote the newspaper he said "If she is dressed poorly and is raped, no one should be arrested". He also said that in cases of rape, police should first ascertain the dress code of the victim, and if they were dressed indecently, they should also be charged with inviting the crime. By these words, Mr. Kibule is promoting the rape of women based on their dress code; he is excusing rapists for their crimes against supposedly scantily clad women and; he is ensuring that victims of rape are afraid to come forward for fear of being persecuted for being raped. He should lose his position immediately since he clearly does not represent the well being of his constituents.

SIGN RONALD KIBUULE PETITION

There's also a Twitter hashtag: #KibuuleMustGo

The ironic part is that the lead campaigner to get him dismissed is Speaker of the House, Rebecca Kadaga. Ho hum.

Lively: Hero, Demon, Joke

Continuing his global campaign of venom, bile, and self-denial, everyone's favourite hate preacher, Scott Lively, is shown above suggesting that the only tragedy about someone punching a gay man in the face was that he later died, leaving the innocent puncher accused of murder.

'The rainbow belongs to God': Anti-gay US pastor sets sights on Sochi Olympics

When President Vladimir Putin recently banned “homosexual propaganda” in Russia, he joined sides in a new global culture war: a struggle to stop the march of gay rights abroad even as advocates wave rainbow flags in America. Now, as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics approach, both sides are bracing for unrest — and an American pastor is taking credit for the law that started it all.

Scott Lively is a hero to some, a demon to others and a joke to still more...

Last month a federal judge allowed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit to proceed against Lively that alleges the pastor persecuted gays in Uganda and committed a potential “crime against humanity” — one that contributed to a bill that would have made homosexuality an act punishable by death. And yet the grey-haired 57-year-old has refused to quiet down.

Meanwhile, news today from SMUG, who are bringing that case:

Once again, Another victory in SMUG vs Scott Lively case today: Judge denied Pastor Scott Lively's effort to prevent case from moving to collection of evidence. Thanks Centre for Constitutional Rights CCR.

What a shame they don't revoke his passport whilst he's waiting to stand trial.

Toronto Holds Benefit Concert

Big shout out to Lauryn Kronick and Jacqie Lucas for organising a benefit concert to raise funds for Ugandan LGBTI rights campaigners.

A Luta Continua, isn’t just a way to raise money for LGBT safe-house programs in Uganda—it’s also a way for Toronto’s queer community to show solidarity with one half a world away. The proceeds will benefit Gender Equality and Health Organization Uganda, a group that provides safe houses for gay Ugandans who have been driven out of their communities.

LGBT people in Uganda face extreme discrimination. Homosexuality is punishable by life in jail, and violence is a constant threat.

“GEHO provides a place for about 180 LGBT Ugandans who’ve been kicked out of their homes and communities for their sexual orientation,” says Kronick. “Lately, they’ve been getting requests for more and more help. They run three safe houses, and they’re going to be holding pride celebrations later on this month.”

GEHO was started by Andrew Waiswa, a gay refugee from Uganda who lived in Toronto for several years before returning to his homeland to help his fellow Ugandans fight for their rights.

Some of the money will also go to help a GEHO Uganda volunteer who was attacked for her work earlier this year and now faces steep medical bills.

You can find out more about GEHO Uganda on their website.

If you'd like to do something to raise awareness, you might also like to consider holding a screening of Call Me Kuchu.

Sweden Welcomes Mwesigye

Reverend Canon Aaron Mwesigye

The town of Nyköping in Sweden this week welcomed the slightly creepy-looking Reverend Mwesigye to town, embracing him as a business partner:

Anti-homo-pastor visiting Nykoping (English translation)

Anti-homo-pastor besöker Nyköping (original article)

Reverend Canon Aaron Mwesigye is one of Uganda's presidential advisors, but also a spokesperson for the Church of Uganda and one of those who wants to put homosexuals in jail. Today he visits Nyköping.

Mwesigye is looking at the company Wedholms, which is one of the final candidates in a huge order of milk coolers to Uganda. He is welcomed by the Governor Liselott Hagberg, who has no plans to bring the situation of homosexuals into the speech.

Interesting he went for the same spectacles as this guy.

Peterson Ssendi

Peterson Ssendi

Interesting first-hand account of the dangers of journalism by gay Ugandan presenter Peterson Ssendi:

'What I do is deadly,' says Ugandan gay journalist

The radio presenter, 53, gave an interview with English Breakfast radio show in Netherlands where he discussed Uganda's anti-gay laws and what his experience has been like blogging about LGBT rights.

Ssendi revealed he has received threats for writing publicly about LGBT issues in Uganda since he started his blog in 2004.

You can find Ssendi's blog online, along with fellow LGBT rights journalist Patience Akumu.

Duplicitous Kadaga

Rebecca Kadaga is nothing if not a master of duplicity.

First, she famously promises to kill LGBTs as a Christmas present to the Ugandan people.

Having set forth her genocidal intent, she then gets a pat on the back from the Pope, promoted to Chairwoman of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Committee, and praised by The British High Commissioner, Alison Blackburne, for her outstanding stance on human rights!

Feel the bile rising?

Arrest Bahati, Ssempa and Muhame

International Criminal Court

Everyone remember Magembe Norman, our hero of the week back in June?

Well, not content with calling on the International Criminal Court to arrest the Kill the Gays Bill founders, he's now started a petition:

Uganda petition demands arrest of ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill author 

Magembe Norman, a straight Ugandan gay rights activist, has been told the court in The Hague is considering taking action against three extremist anti-gay spokespeople.

Now he is upping the pressure with a digital petition on Change.org demanding Uganda Member of Parliament David Bahati, pastor Martin Ssempa and Rolling Stone editor Giles Muhame face justice.

Magembe Norm

Magembe Norman

SIGN PETITION

Like Patience Akumu, Norman is one of the brave straight voices joining the campaign against homophobia in Uganda, risking friends, family, and arrest to do so.

Global court to consider arresting author of Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ bill

In a letter passed exclusively to Gay Star News, the ICC said they were ‘analysing the situation’ provided and will consider whether there is reasonable basis to believe the crimes have been committed and the gravity of the crimes.

Norman said he felt ‘very optimistic’ his complaint would succeed.

Speaking to GSN, he said: ‘I feel that I am almost there, and that it is just a matter of time before justice is served.

‘From the first time I got my fingers on the keyboard to type this complaint, I had no single grain of doubt, the only thing on my mind was “keep on writing”, you'll achieve what you want and that feeling keeps on growing everyday.’

The gay rights activist said he wanted to bring this to the world stage to ensure Bahati, Ssempa and Muhame are punished for their crimes against humanity.

‘It serves as a warning to the others that persecution of LGBTs is a criminal offense and they will never get away with it,’ Norman said.

We're backing you all the way Norman, though you might want to start writing to the Commonwealth next, as they're all for glorifying Bahati Bill supporters.

Document Highlights Homophobia

 

We read this article with interest:

Stolen document highlights homophobia in Uganda

Earlier this year a British journalist—let’s call him Ian Smith because, as you’ll see, disclosing his identity might preclude him from ever visiting Uganda again—went to the Chamber of Parliament in Kampala and took photos of some of the building’s more interesting features. The place was a ghost town at the time thanks to a special event where members of parliament were then gathered.

“That made it easy for me to steal the document,” recalls Smith.

The document he stole is titled: “Protect our young people from homosexuality: Debate and pass the anti-homosexuality bill now!”

The document they are referring to was the Coalition for Advancement of Moral Values (CAMOVA) MP Brief, which has since been circulated widely online and can be viewed here.

Interesting to know where its origins lie.

Russia Shares Ugandan Evangelist Plague

Russia and Uganda share more in common than an overtly homophobic government.

They are both infested with American Evangelists spreading the word of hate.

Specifically, one well known face in particular: Scott Lively (search him on this blog, he features quite a bit).

Ironically, Lively is currently being sued in his home country for his part in inciting violence against gay people in Uganda.

Here's hoping Russia's LGBT movement decides to follow suit.

Russia Becoming the Next Uganda?

Russia may be on the road to becoming the next Uganda, with anti-gay sentiment spilling over from homophobic laws into society and everyday life and legal attacks on LGBTs spreading to nearby countries.

Moreover, the anti-gay fervor sweeping the region seems to have another commonality with the African nation that attempted to impose the notorious "death to gays" law: News reports indicate that one of the anti-gay U.S. evangelicals who reportedly helped spark the Ugandan wave of anti-gay violence has also been active in spreading animus against sexual minorities in Russia.

An Anti-Gay Pastor Takes on Uganda and Russia

Though Lively may have suffered a defeat, at least temporarily, in the United States, he is celebrating events elsewhere. Since as far back as 2006, he has been working to spread his anti-gay message in Russia. In June, the country’s President, Vladimir Putin, signed into law a new ban on “propaganda on nontraditional sexual relationships.” This month, Lively wrote on his Web site that Russia “has just taken the very important and frankly necessary step of criminalizing homosexual propaganda to protect the society from being ‘homosexualzed.’ [sic] This was one of my recommendation [sic] to Russian leaders in my 50-city tour of the former Soviet Union in 2006 and 2007.”  

Repugnant individual.

Commonwealth Champions Killing Gays

Rebecca Kadaga

In an absolutely stunning display of hypocrisy, the Commonwealth, whilst paying lip service to LGBTI equality, meanwhile champions one of Ughanda's most vehement Kill the Gays supporters.

We reported a while back that the Commonwealth's message was mixed:

One moment: House of Lords calls for decriminalization of homosexuality in Commonwealth because of higher HIV rates, the next they face criticism because the Queen's landmark Commonwealth Day speech fails to mention the words "gay" or "lesbian".

There seems to be no doubt left on their stance.

The Commonwealth couldn't care less about LGBTI rights in Uganda.

Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda's Speaker of Parliament, vowed to pass the Kill the Gays Bill as a Christmas present to the Ugandan people. She has preached homophobia, her mouth frothing, eyes bulging, every step of the way.

What have the Commonwealth done?

Promoted her to chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians.

We would suggest you write to complain, but, honestly, we doubt anyone is listening. Having researched her background, the Commonwealth Committee obviously felt she was a shining example of womanhood and a suitable speaker for their views.

There really is nothing left to say.

Omni Hotel Dallas Hosts Homophobes

 

Last Friday the Omni Hotel in Dallas, North America, played host to a conference held by some of Uganda's leading homophobes.

Anti-gay Ugandan officials meeting at Omni Dallas today

A group of anti-gay members of the Ugandan Parliament is in Dallas.

The Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council and Uganda North America Association are meeting at the Omni Hotel today until 5 p.m.

The guest of honor is Uganda’s Vice President H.E Edward Ssekandi. The delegation includes cabinet ministers and 21 members of the Ugandan Parliament.

For more than a year, the Ugandan Parliament has been considering a “kill the gays” bill condemned by both former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama.

The “kill the gays” bill was promoted and sponsored by right-wing American clergy working in Uganda.

The day before, Texas welcomed the delegation with open arms.

You can contact Omni Hotel by e-mail or through their social media to draw their attention to this issue and express your concern.