02 Nov 10 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
A Ugandan judge has instructed the Rolling Stone newspaper to stop publishing the names and photographs of people it claims are gay. Last month the tabloid published names, photos, and addresses of 100 supposed homosexuals, alongside a banner that read, “Hang them.” The injunction came following a request by the gay rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). The group says some gay people were attacked after Rolling Stone published the information. Editor Giles Muhame was unrepentant, saying, “We will publish more pictures but in a diplomatic way, so that we can dodge the law” and “ I haven’t seen the court injunction but the war against gays will and must continue. We have to protect our children from this dirty homosexual affront”.
14 May 10 | Uncategorized
This is really quite depressing. The Christian Institute has posted footage of the arrest of street preacher Dale McAlpine for alleged homophobic comments. McAlpine’s apparent crime was to state that homosexuality was sinful. He is entitled to believe that, and to say that.
But what’s absolutely absurd about this case is that the police arrest McAlpine for a racially aggravated incident. Now, whatever your stance on McAlpine’s beliefs, (though I hope you’re unequivocal about his right to hold his beliefs), surely saying that homosexuality is a sin doesn’t make him a racist.
Dale McAlpine was wrongfully arrested. It would be a real sin if this case were to be taken any further.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12LtOKQ8U7c
Hat tip: Mediawatchwatch
Read Nigel Warburton’s take on Dale McAlpine’s plight here
31 Mar 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
A production of a new play about the British National Party and homophobia has been pulled from the stage in Dudley. Philip Ridley’s Moonfleece was due to be performed at the Mill Theatre – based in Daunton Community School – on Thursday, two days before a protest by the English Defense League was scheduled in the town. The play was pulled by the school on the basis that “some of the issues raised within the play were [not] suitable for a school or community setting”. The production already toured some of the country’s most racially-sensitive areas without protest. In 2004, Birmingham Repertory Theatre was forced to close a play which depicted rape and murder in a Sikh temple, after it prompted riots from the city’s Sikh community.
08 Dec 09 | Uncategorized
This is a guest post by Jenni Hulse
Last week, prominent Ugandan church leader Canon Gideon Byamugisha joined international condemnation of the country’s proposed anti-homosexuality bill, saying it will be nothing short of state-sponsored “genocide”. He added that the bill would “institutionalise violence and death towards a minority group”.
Byamugisha’s remarks are the latest in a global backlash against the bill. On Thursday a Ugandan news website reported that Sweden will cut aid to Uganda if the bill is passed. Canada has also condemned the bill and Gordon Brown is reported to have discussed the matter directly with the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni at the recent commonwealth summit.
The bill, proposed on 14 October by David Bahati, MP for Ndorwa County, seeks to introduce the death penalty for anyone convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” and life imprisonment for committing any “homosexual act”. Provisions in the bill could also lead to the imprisonment of anyone who fails to report within 24 hours the identities of everyone they know who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
Apart from the obvious human rights implications — criminalizing the personal and social behaviour of the LGBT community in Uganda, estimated to number 500,000 — legal experts have said it poses a serious threat to the right to free speech, association and assembly.
A new, wide-ranging provision would forbid the “promotion of homosexuality”, including publishing information or providing funds or premises for activities, or other resources. Conviction could result in up to seven years in prison.
“Promotion” is expected to extend to any form of public discussion about homosexuality, and activists have raised concerns that this will hinder the country’s fight against HIV/Aids among the gay community. Any media deemed to be publicizing homosexuality will automatically be censored and publishers and broadcasters will face prosecution. Free communication will be compromised with one clause criminalising the use of “electronic devices which include internet, films, mobile phones for purposes of homosexuality or promoting homosexuality”.
Bahati has defended the bill, insisting publicly that homosexuality is not a human right and that the bill only seeks to defend the “traditional heterosexual family.” However, if introduced, it will put the freedom of expression of all Ugandans at risk. By further stigmatising an already marginalised group and penalising those who support the rights of the gay community, the bill will fuel a witch-hunt mindset that will divide and weaken civil society.
