All Out. org – 2011-05-09 19:46:33
http://www.allout.org/petition/uganda
(May 9, 2011) — Conservative lawmakers in Uganda are working to advance a bill that would sentence LGBT people to death. That’s right, death for countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Uganda. We just learned the “kill the gays” bill could come up for a vote in the next 72 hours (1) if we don’t act now.
A conservative leader recently presented the Ugandan parliament with 2 million signatures in support of the law (2).
They are trying hard to push the bill forward before the millions like us who oppose it have a chance to speak out. We need to create an international outcry to stop this bill and we need to do it fast.
We have 72 hours to act: can you sign this petition to President Museveni demanding that he publicly vow to veto this hateful bill? As soon as you sign, please pass it on to everyone you know. Our best chance at stopping the bill is each other — if thousands of us spread the word we can make clear that the world is watching and we will not allow this to stand.
While some conservative members of parliament have staked their political careers on this bill (3), Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni has shown himself to be sensitive to international pressure. Last year, a massive response from people around the world pushed him to stop the bill in its tracks.
A broad coalition of human rights activists, including Bishop Christopher Senyonjo (4), an internationally respected religious leader and outspoken supporter of LGBT equality in Uganda, will deliver our petitions directly to the President. Will you please take a moment to speak up for what’s right.
This terrible bill is part of a pattern from conservatives in Uganda to marginalize pro-democracy forces — in recent weeks, opposition activists have been beaten, teargassed, jailed and even killed (5).
And In the last year, LGBT Ugandans have been repeatedly targeted, attacked, and murdered — like beloved activist David Kato (6), murdered just months after a local tabloid published his picture under the headline, “Uganda’s Top Homos: Hang Them.” (7).
Others have been driven out of the country as refugees, and sometimes even threatened abroad by the government (8).
Enough is enough. Please sign this petition to Ugandan president Museveni, demanding that he veto the bill should it be passed in Parliament — and then pass it on to all of your friends.
All best and All Out,
Andre, Erika, Guillaume, Jeremy, Joseph, Prerna, Nita, Oli, Tile, Wesley and the rest of the team at All Out
PS: The bill won’t just target LGBT Ugandans — Nurses and doctors could be jailed for failing to “turn in” their patients. And neighbors would be obliged to “report gay activity.” (9)
Please sign and share the petition now: http://www.allout.org/uganda
THE LETTER
President Yoweri Museveni:
The world is united with human rights activists in Uganda, in asking that you publicly declare your intention to veto the “Anti-Homosexuality” bill.
Don’t let this law, and the worsening human rights situation in the country, make Uganda in to a pariah nation in the international community.
SOURCES:
1a. Uganda Antigay Bill Going Forward – 6 May 2011
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/05/06/Uganda_Antigay_Bill_Going_Forward/
1b. IGLHRC Shocked at Possible Passage of Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill — 6 May 2011
http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/article/pressroom/pressrelease/1384.html
2. Anti-gay activists call for passing of Bill against homosexuality — 7 April 2011
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1140310/-/c2sydtz/-/
3. Americans’ Role Seen in Uganda Anti-Gay Push
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/04/world/africa/04uganda.html
4a. “God Created Youâ€: Bishop Supports Gay Ugandans, Defies Death Threats
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/4211/%E2%80%9Cgod_created_you%E2%80%9D%3A_bishop_supports_gay_ugandans,_defies_death_threats/
4b. Bishop Christopher Senyonjo’s St. Paul Foundation for International Reconciliation
http://stpaulsfoundation.com/Donate.html
5. Uganda protests ‘only the beginning,’ leader says (AP) – 7 May 2011
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110507/ap_on_re_af/af_uganda_politician_arrested
6a. David Kato, Uganda Gay Activist, Brutally Slain
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/27/david-kato-uganda-gay-act_n_814775.html
6b. EU tells Uganda to protect gays
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011217203236369881.html
7. Outcry as Ugandan paper names ‘top homosexuals’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/outcry-as-ugandan-paper-names-top-homosexuals-2113348.html
8. Fears for safety of Ugandan lesbian due to be deported
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/26/brenda-namigadde-deportation-fear-uganda
9. Anti-Homosexuality Bill — Original Text
http://docs.google.com/a/purpose.org/viewer?url=http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/anti-homosexuality-bill-2009.pdf
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