Being the Change I Wish to See

This article is part 7 in a multi-part series about the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill of 2009, better known as the Ugandan kill-the-gays bill. The first 6 articles can be accessed at the following links:

• Part 1: Born in the USA
• Part 2: Horrific Details
• Part 3: American Silence is Deafening
• Part 4: HIV-AIDS Statistics in Uganda
• Part 5: State Dept Must Make US Policy Clear
• Part 6: Richard Cohen and debunking gay cure

Uganda is severely homophobic. They see homosexuality and the “International Gay Agenda” as a major cause of disrupting traditional family values and life in their country. Americans of authority have been visiting Uganda for over 2 decades, some of them fundamentalist Christians, and have subtly or not-so-subtly fed into Ugandan homophobia.

In the past decade, anti-gay Evangelicals Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life) and Scott Lively have been going to Uganda often telling them how evil, horrible, and sick gays are (listen to some of Scott Lively’s quotes in the next video).

Cure-the-gays quacks like Richard Cohen and Don Schmierer, who are presenting themselves as scientific authorities on curing gay people, have spoken about their “cures” to Ugandan Parliament members and citizens. (The quote from Richard Cohen’s book in the following video is completely untrue. Homosexuals are far less likely to molest anyone than heterosexuals).

American anti-gay Evangelical activists and cure-the-gays quacks have given homophobic Ugandan Parliament member David Bahati and Ethics Minister James Buturo, both members of the Ugandan branch of The Family, all the ammunition they need to justify a Draconian anti-homosexuality bill.

Anglican Priest Rev. Kaoma attended the March 2009 Kampala conference where Scott Lively spoke of zero tolerance for homosexuality and recorded Mr. Lively saying so. Steven Langa, Caleb Brundidge and Don Schmierer also gave lectures about gay “cures” at that conference, where multiple copies of Richard Cohen’s book were distributed. This conference and these speakers are directly connected to the anti-homosexuality bill.

These Americans claim after they misled Ugandans that they didn’t intend for gays to be killed or imprisoned for life and are against the bill. What the hell did they think was going to happen?

Americans are neck-deep in this human rights violation disaster (videos 8 min. each):

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Jeff Sharlet interview:

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American Family members were solidly against this bill when David Bahati proposed it as early as October 2008, then again at the Kampala conference in March 2009.

All claim to be against this bill and are speaking out in America about it, but aren’t telling Ugandans. The Family in America, people like Bob Hunter, are using their leverage behind the scenes to stop the bill. Influential Evangelicals, Senators and Congressmen need to use their influence to make sure this bill is stopped, but all they have done is distance themselves from the legislation.

The American branch of The Family has the power to stop this bill but hasn’t publicly put their foot down. They have great influence and access in the Ugandan government. They need to use it for accountability as well. The Family’s American Prayer Breakfast, coming up in February, should not include David Bahati or James Buturo. Both were planning to attend, but they may be uninvited because of this bill.

Part 8 is located at this link.

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Technorati Tags: Caleb Brundidge, David Bahati, Don Schmierer, Human Rights, James Buturo, Jeff Sharlet, kill-the-gays bill, Rachel Maddow, Rick Warren, Scott Lively, The Family, Uganda

Caleb Brundidge, David Bahati, Don Schmierer, Human Rights, James Buturo, Jeff Sharlet, kill-the-gays bill, Rachel Maddow, Rick Warren, Scott Lively, The Family, Uganda