President Barack Obama released this statement on the horrible killing of David Kato, the leading Ugandan gay rights activist who was brutally killed in his own home on Wednesday.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of David Kato. In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate. He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom. The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work.
At home and around the world, LGBT persons continue to be subjected to unconscionable bullying, discrimination, and hate. In the weeks preceding David Kato’s murder in Uganda, five members of the LGBT community in Honduras were also murdered. It is essential that the Governments of Uganda and Honduras investigate these killings and hold the perpetrators accountable.
LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights. My Administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad. We do this because we recognize the threat faced by leaders like David Kato, and we share their commitment to advancing freedom, fairness, and equality for all.
You may recall that in December 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the proposed Ugandan bill that seeks the death penalty for gays as "oppressive". Clinton also released a strong statement on Kato's murder that can be read HERE ...
As always these are wonderful words, but now it really is time to take action. I think its time for him to FULLY endorse Gay marriage in the US. That would be a strong message to send and might help LGBT relations in these severely oppressed regions. Tragedies like the murder of David Kato have become shockingly less shocking! When it gets to a point where we are no longer surprised by something like this, its has gone on far too long. Its gotta STOP!
Posted by: Isis | 28 January 2011 at 14:15
as always
hobama failed to mention how rick warren/tony dungy/dadt stalling/apartheid gay marriages etc!... all contribute to this brutal homohating global bloodshed...
his teleprompter's hands are not clean!!!
http://aliciabanks.xanga.com/735126520/open-letter-to-earl-ofari-hutchinson-on-gays--obama/
Posted by: alicia banks | 29 January 2011 at 18:23