Call to Action on Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill

We urge you to read this note from our friends at The Task Force. We've written in support of LGBT Ugandans in the past and mourned the loss of their lives and called you to action, and we're asking you to do so once again.

ACTION ALERT

The now-infamous Anti-Homosexuality Bill has been revived by Uganda’s Parliament and hearings are currently underway. The bill, in its current form, calls for the execution of sexually active homosexuals who are HIV-positive or who are considered to be “serial offenders.” The bill also imposes a sentence of life in prison upon conviction of a single “homosexual act,” and it bans the production or circulation of any information that “promotes” homosexuality – almost certainly including information on sexual health and HIV prevention, any religious leader who speaks of welcome and affirmation for LGBT persons, or any justice work on behalf and/or with LGBT persons.

President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton must speak out now in the strongest terms against this horrendous legislation. The time to act is now, as there have been numerous reliable reports that it is likely the bill will be approved and signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni by the end of the week unless the political debate takes a more humane turn.

This legislation is just one of example of a dangerous and rapidly deteriorating human rights environment.

At the National Prayer Breakfast on February 4, 2010, President Obama said of this bill: "Surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are, whether it's here in the United States or ... more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda."

On the same date and subject, Secretary Clinton said "I recently called President Museveni ... and expressed the strongest concerns about a law being considered in the parliament of Uganda." To listen to these comments, click here.

We call on President Obama and Secretary Clinton to make even stronger statements about the United States Government's opposition to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill immediately. The lives of many of our brothers and sisters in Uganda many depend on this simple action.

Please contact President Obama:

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

202.456.1111 (phone)

202.456.6213 (TTY/TTD)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

and Secretary Clinton:

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

202.647.4000 (phone)

800.877.8330 (TTY/TTD)

http://www.state.gov/secretary/

Tell them, as a person of faith, you are opposed to this anti-homosexuality bill and urge them to publicly do the same.