UN's Growing Anti-Gay Agenda

A very interesting article. Perhaps the promotion of Sam Kutesa is just the tip of an expanding iceberg:

An Anti-Gay Agenda at the UN: Something We Need to Worry About?

The United Nations Human Rights Council has just voted on a resolution that, analysts believe, could be used to undermine LGBT rights. Is an emerging anti-gay presence in the UN something we should be concerned about? 

The resolution sounds innocuous enough. It commits the United Nations to recognizing “the family” as “the natural and fundamental group unit of society” which is “entitled to protection by society and the State” as well as discussing each member states obligations to those protections. 

The kicker here is who supported the resolution and how they framed it. Authored by Egypt and Sierra Leone and supported by nations like,Uganda and, most prominently, Russia, the resolution has been welcomed by religious conservatives across the globe as a measure that commits the UN to fighting for the “traditional family.”

Protection of 'the family' is indeed Scott Lively's favourite crusade term, and also the name of a very creepy anti-gay movement in the US. 

The resolution may not just be toxic to LGBT rights, however. Religious conservative pro-life groups have also cheered its passing, with the so-called Society for the Protection of the Unborn of the UK saying in a statement that this resolution is “truly historic.” There is cause, then, to think that this resolution might be a foundation for furthering the anti-choice movement at the UN too.

Trust us when we say 'you really don't want to go down this route.'

Oh, what's that? Too late? Yes, certainly is to salvage any shred of human rights credibility the UN still have... which, honestly, has never been much.

Excellent US Coverage of Uganda

Fantastic and entertaining coverage of the UN's support for Sam Kutesa.

Commonwealth Condemned as Ugandans Flee

Both the Commonwealth and UN have recently promoted lead Ugandan homophobes to positions of power within their institutions. 80% of Commonwealth countries criminalise gay people.

Commonwealth Condemned At Pride London Parade

'We are calling on 42 Commonwealth countries to repeal their criminalisation of same-sex relationships and to protect their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens against discrimination and hate crime - in accordance with the principles of the Commonwealth Charter,' said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation. 

'We are urging the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July to require every competing nation to sign a pledge to not discriminate in the selection of athletes for their national team. Article 7 of the Commonwealth Games Federation constitution prohibits all discrimination. But it is widely believed that most Commonwealth nations would refuse to select a LGBT athlete,' he said. 

Peter Tatchell has written to the Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, David Grevemberg, asking him to ensure that all countries participating in the Commonwealth Games sign a non-discrimination pledge. 

See the letter here: http://bit.ly/1jlLqud

The Commonwealth, perhaps. Common sense - not so much.

Meanwhile: Hundreds of LGBT Refugees Have Fled Uganda 

According to organizers of Ken's U.S. speaking engagements and media interviews, not only Ken himself but the entire organization he represents would be in grave danger if his identity were known to those opponents of LGBT rights back home in Kenya.

"In our organization, we have 102 members who have come from Uganda in order to escape the antihomosexuality law and the violence and oppression it has created," Ken tells The Advocate in a phone interview.

Since Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law in February, virtually any Ugandan arriving at a refugee camp in Kenya is automatically assumed to be an LGBT person by other refugees, Ken says. The draconian law prescribes life in prison for many LGBT people and lengthy jail terms for anyone who "conspires" to commit homosexuality, or supports, houses, or affirms an LGBT person.

"The thinking is that Uganda is a relatively stable country for this region," says Ken. "The only reason to be a refugee from Uganda is because you are running away from the antigay law, because you are gay."

That assumption has led to acts of violence, deprivation of basic necessities, and the ostracizing of both LGBT and non-LGBT Ugandan refugees living inside Kenyan refugee camps.

May all those leaving their homeland to find safety find what they are looking for. May the Western douchebags who helped implement this regime of violence be held accountable for it.

Hillary Clinton 'Ridiculed' by Museveni

Yes, it's a plug for her book, but what the hay. It's always interesting to learn about behind-the-scenes politics. Or behind-the-Scene in this case.

In her new memoir Hard Choices she says she unsuccessfully urged President Museveni to halt the passage of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act. 

“He ridiculed my concerns,” she says. 

Clinton has also revealed her anger at the 2011 murder of Ugandan LGBT rights campaigner David Kato. 

“David was killed in what police said was a robbery but it was more likely an execution,” Clinton writes.

Yeah, you know it Clinton. But whatcha gonna do about it?

How about giving those who promoted his murder a cushty job at the UN?

Biden & Stipe Speak Out

US Vice President Joe Biden

A busy week for speaking out. 

US Vice President Joe Biden made a rousing speech about the sanctity of human rights globally:

“I don’t care what your culture is,” Biden told about 100 guests at the Naval Observatory’s vice presidential mansion, The Associated Press reports. “Inhumanity is inhumanity is inhumanity. Prejudice is prejudice is prejudice.” 

Biden said that nations which fail to protect LGBT people have a “price to pay for being inhumane.” Biden agreed with White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice’s comments earlier this week that global discrimination against gays is a cricitical international human rights issue at the top of the U.S. priority list. 

“Governments are responsible for protecting the rights of all citizens, and it is incumbent upon the state, and on each of us, to foster tolerance and to reverse the tide of discrimination,” Rice said earlier on Tuesday. “To achieve lasting global change, we need everyone’s shoulder at the wheel; With more voices to enrich and amplify the message — the message that gay rights are straight-up human rights — we can open more minds.”

And, following in the footsteps of Elton John, REM lead singer Michael Stipe added his voice to the mix by releasing a video prasing LGBT Ugandans for their courage.

Paul Shinners Hate Video

This is Paul Shinners, a UK preacher and head of a charity (No.1131321) that the Charity Commission of England & Wales pointedly refused to investigate.

He is making a hate speech in favour of the Kill the Gays Bill back in 2012, having claimed that he had never been to Uganda. He is most probably using publicly donated funds from his charity to pay for this trip, headlining alongside lead Kill the Gays supporter (the death penalty clause had not been removed by this point) David Kiganda.

When alerted to Paul Shinners' actions, the Charity Commission took over one year to respond to an enquiry, and only then to say:

Following your concerns raised with the Commission in January 2013 about the charity’s trustee, Mr Shinners, the Charity Commission contacted him requesting an explanation of how his attendance at the event in Uganda to which you refer was in pursuit of charitable purposes. Mr Shinners explained why his attendance at the event was appropriate charitable activity, vigorously denied making any homophobic statements and took steps to make this publicly known.

Well, that's alright then Charity Commission... 

We renew our calls for Paul Shinners to be struck off as a Charity Trustee in the United Kingdom, and for the Charity Commission of England & Wales to start an immediate investigation into Passion for Souls Ministries, explaining how this is a charitable use of money: @ChtyCommission

TAKE ACTION

Stay up-to-date on Shinners via Facebook and this blog. If you're still not too sure who he is, you can search this blog for a back catalogue of his abuses.

Uganda Hitting Vulnerable People

Oh diddums.

The Ugandan Government claims: US sanctions over anti-gay law hits vulnerable hardest

If there's anyone who knows about hitting vulnerable people, it's the Ugandan Government. They even beat up peaceful protesters.

Whereas it's true that persecuting LGBT people is bad for the economy:

Since passing laws mandating the life in prison for “homosexual acts” in February, Uganda has seen its currency weaken considerably, with US dollars now costing nearly 6% more since the day the law was signed. 

Much of the aid money is being re-routed to local NGOs, working directly with vulnerable people, rather than continuing to go to politicians who corruptly pocket the money for a new mansion or a BMW. 

It's a bit of a change of tune for a government that was only a few weeks ago saying 'we don't need international aid.'

Pigs in Parliament

No, for once we're not talking about the politicians.

Uganda students smuggle pigs into parliament: Youths and police guards arrested after protest against high unemployment and government corruption.

Two Ugandan students and police have been arrested after two painted pigs were smuggled past tight parliament security in a protest against political corruption and youth unemployment.

The pigs, painted yellow - the colour of the ruling National Resistance Movement - were smuggled by two university students for their protest in Kampala on Tuesday. The pigs also had slogans pinned to their ears condemning corruption.

The police responded by testing the pigs for 'terrorism related materials'. This time we hope they were talking about the politicians.

Sam Kutesa now President of UN General Assembly

(click to enlarge)

It's fairly hard to argue with a sentiment like that on a day like today.

Ugandan minister wins key U.N. post despite anti-gay law

Uganda's Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa was elected president of the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday despite concerns among human rights advocates, Western governments and U.N. officials about his country's recently adopted anti-gay legislation. 

After his election by acclamation without a vote in the 193-nation General Assembly, Kutesa pledged to promote gender equality and women's rights and to continue a United Nations drive to eradicate poverty and combat climate change. He did not raise the issue of gay rights.

Of course he didn't, and nobody made him.

Besides, who's listening to Navi Pillay anyway? She's only a woman after all, and she makes the old boys at the UN uncomfortable with all her talk of queers.

Uganda Forcibly Closes Refugee Law Project

An NGO based at Makerere University, which:

[W]orks to ensure that all people access, recover and enjoy their sexual and gender being and rights, and to raise global awareness of the close relationship between violations of sexuality and gender, and patterns of forced migration.

Has been forced to cease operations under the new anti-homosexuality bill.

Uganda stops refugee group's activities for being a threat to anti-gay law

The Ugandan government has restricted the activities of a group accused of ‘promoting homosexuality, a crime under the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

The Refugee Law Project (RLP), whose office hosts the coalition of activists opposing the anti-LGBTI law, has been under investigation since mid-March...

RLP confirmed it had received letters from the Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and other government officials ordering it to suspend some of its activities.

Another article here: Ugandan Gov't Investigates Refugee Nonprofit for 'Promoting Homosexuality'

Even before the bill was assented, the government was closing down schools for reports of homosexuality, and the bill's requirement that you must report anyone you suspect of being gay creates a fundamental failure in doctor-patient confidentiality, leading to a lack of health care for LGBTI people.

UK's Legacy of LGBTI Abuse

Harriet Nakigudde

The UK seems to be on a one-track persecution mission against Ugandan lesbians at the moment:

• Jackie Nanyonjo (murdered)
• Prossie N (deported)
• Aidah Asaba (awaiting deportation)

And now Harriet Nakigudde:

UK to deport lesbian to Uganda for ‘being single for five years’: A 30-year-old woman who was raped by her uncle, leaving relationships traumatic, will be deported tomorrow

The UK government will be deporting a lesbian back to Uganda as she has been single for five years.

Harriet Nakigudde, 30, applied for asylum in the UK fearing for her life because of her sexuality.

The asylum seeker, who first came to the country in 2009, fled her native country after an event that left her deeply traumatized.

In 2008, her uncle raped her to ‘cure’ her sexuality. Following this, her family disowned her and she was forced to leave Uganda.

The UK's treatment of vulnerable women is disgusting, and their detention centres are already known for sexually abusing inmates. The international community is horrifically failing Uganda's abused LGBT victims.