Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” bill is still in play, and its connection to American Evangelical leaders has become clearer. Scott Lively, who is profiled on GLAAD’s CAP page, led an “anti-homosexuality” conference in Kampala, Uganda in 2009. He is now taking credit for much of the bill in an article published on World Net Daily. At the time of the conference, Lively was heavily criticized by the international community for meeting directly with Ugandan government officials and pushing for what has become known as the “Kill the Gays” bill.
While Scott Lively has been most closely associated with anti-LGBT sentiment in Uganda, other prominent anti-gay pundits have voiced their support for the bill in Uganda, including Bryan Fischer (see his tweets below) of the American Family Association, who recently interviewed Lively about Uganda.
Box Turtle Bulletin has provided the most complete, up-to-date coverage of the bill. While the bill has been called the “Kill the Gays” bill, there is debate about whether the death penalty would be included. But even if the death penalty is removed, the bill is egregious enough. It includes a life sentence in prison for gay and lesbian people, as well as imprisonment for anyone who does not “turn in” gay and lesbian people to the government. This would include parents, teachers, doctors, clergy, and landlords.
Swift action is needed to publically condemn the bill. All Out is closing in on 200,000 signatures on their petition against the bill. Support has come from the United States, Canada, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Ireland, Brazil and many other parts of the globe. All Out is aiming for 250,000 signatures. We encourage all our followers to add their name to the All Out petition.
Additionally, faith leaders are speaking against the bill. Pastor Joseph Tolton is the driving force behind Hope in Uganda, which has gathered signatures from African-American religious leaders throughout the United States who oppose the “Kill the Gays” bill. Groundswell has also recently launched a petition against the bill aimed at garnering support from people of faith. Please take the time to sign these petitions and urge your friends and family to take action as well.