Our latest for EBONY: "Ugandan Parliament Prepares to Vote on Extreme Anti-Gay Legislation."
The international community has denounced the extreme measure, but the Ugandan leadership wants to fast-track the bill. “Ugandans want that law as a Christmas gift," Speaker of the Ugandan National Assembly Rebecca Kadaga told Reuters last week.
The death penalty provision reportedly was removed on Friday, an MP told the BBC. Unfortunately, the newest version of the bill includes several “substantial amendments” that go far beyond legislating sexual behavior and would effectively criminalize just “being” gay.
The expanded bill would force teachers, employers, landlords—even parents—to inform authorities of “suspected homosexuals,” according to Frank Mugisha and SMUG. “Any parent who does not denounce their lesbian daughter or gay son to the authorities would face fines of $2,650 or three years in prison” and “any teacher who does not report a lesbian or gay pupil to the authorities within 24 hours would face the same penalties.”
Some Ugandan LGBTs have become “so concerned” that they’re considering fleeing to neighboring Kenya, which is considered progressive on gay rights. “I have been personally asked by two activists to ‘host’ them at my home in case things turn badly,” [Kenyan LGBT activist] Denis Nzioka told EBONY from Nairobi.
Read our analysis HERE.
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