The High Stakes Gay Debate in Uganda

The third sentence in the Preamble of the Uganda Constitution states ” COMMITTED to building a better future…based on the principles of unity, peace, equality, democracy, freedom, social justice and progress; Ugandans who want to jail and kill homosexuals think that this is equality? Or that killing people based on their sexual practices will bring unity? As to freedom, social justice, and progress, I can only say that these Ugandans seem to have the same attitude about their constitution as President Bush Jr. had about ours- ignore it and circumvent it whenever you want. If this barbaric bill passes, I urge all nations to boycott Uganda.

It amazes me in a country where Rape & sodomy against women is so prevelant, that there is such a problem with homosexuality.

Pastor Lively is a very dangerous zealot. A true Christian would mind his own business and let people lead their own lives instead of trying to force his opinion on others and then denying that he caused any trouble. Everyone has the right to worship as they see fit, why is sexual preferences anyone’s business but the people involved?

In 1994 Scott Lively was involved in the Oregon Citizen Alliance. A political antigay rights group that tried to pass state legislation that would actively promote legalize discrimination. At one debate, I remember some yelling out to Scott Lively asking “What would your ex-lover think”. Scott Lively eyes and head dropped as if caught. His body language was revealing. All to often it seem the ones that are the most vocal about being antigay have the most to hide. Its really pathetic but also down right scary and dangerous when nut cases like this are given a podium to spew there hate, lies, and misinformation. I wish Scott Lively and the other two pastor, who have already recused themselves for any responsibility in the matter, be held criminally libel for a potential gay genocide in Uganda should the bill pass.
If you google Scott Lively, it will bring up his church. Very scary site that is dedicated to bashing gays. It share a lot of similarities to that of white supremacy literature but directed solely at the gay and lesbian community.

It’s upsetting to see white, right-wing-fringe evangelicals exploit their advantage over a country fraught with poverty and illness, vulnerable to racism and the influence of outsiders. The resulting social and cultural unrest allows them more religious and social power than they can achieve in the U.S. or Europe, where human rights and civil rights are much better protected by democracy, secular government, and economic prosperity. So the likes of Scott Lively go where they can get away with fostering negative beliefs, fearmongering, and pushing their hurtful agenda. They take advantage of and manipulate existing cultural biases against LGBT people, fuel the flames, and incite paranoia, violence, and government-sanctioned hate crimes.
Shame on them for taking lies, misinformation, and prejudice instead of contributing education, health promotion, cultural competence, and compassion to Uganda. What a dangerous waste of resources.

He who is (without) sin,let him cast the first stone!
~Peace Glenna~

Well, I find it very interesting that some people can find problems with the law making process of one society only when bills relating to guiding social ethics are proposed yet those same people appear so unconcerned when other laws that threaten or infringe upon the civil rights of sometimes the majority of people within those societies are passed day in day out. Even when I doubt this bill will ever see its day on the floor of the Ugandan parliamnet, I cant help to be optimistic that when it does it will emerge alittle toned down so as to address the concerns of some people who might have genuine reservations about its present form.As a christian, I too have my own reservations especially about its blood thirstedness,yet on the other hand I feel it ought to come out with some severe penalties for perpetuators of evils like gay rape and elopment with minors. I have heard people talk about mercy and love. Yes we are all aware that God is all so merciful and loving, but can we say that when he punishes he looses the virtue of love? Or when he established laws to guide social morality, did it mean that he had lost it against mercy? I feel the time is ripe for us not to create double standards by taking such lame stands under the guise of protecting the minority especially if those stands contradict the ethical values of the majority. Let it not be lost to us that each individual within society belongs to some form of minority by virtue of having some form of personal ethical belief.However for the sake of advancing social harmony we accept the negative social perception against those beliefs and try to keep them under control. That is how societies have survived.