December 22, 2009 5:21 PM

Republicans Condemn Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
World Affairs
(AP Photo/Stephen Wandera)
Five Republican representatives – Chris Smith, Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts, Trent Franks and Anh "Joseph" Cao – have written a letter to Ugandan President Yoweri Mouseveni pressing him to stop pending legislation that would severely criminalize homosexuality and sometimes impose the death penalty for homosexual acts.

In the letter, which you can read in full here, the men say their religious faith requires them to oppose the legislation because it contradicts the "foundational Christian belief in the inherent dignity and worth of all men and women."

The Ugandan law has become a hot topic in America because, as National Public Radio reports, "U.S. evangelicals have long had a close relationship with top Ugandan leaders." Some see the influence of American lawmakers in the drafting of the legislation, which is popular in Uganda.

"A U.S. evangelical group called The Family reportedly includes U.S. lawmakers who have shown great interest in Ugandan affairs," according to NPR. "The bill's proponents are reluctant to talk about whether The Family supports them in any way."

Earlier this month, conservative Republican Sen. Tom Coburn came out against the legislation, calling it "an absurd proposal to execute gays." So did pastor Rick Warren, who said "the potential law is unjust, extreme and un-Christian toward homosexuals." Warren's ministry has a presence in Uganda.

Homosexuality is a taboo issue in Uganda, where many politicians suggest it is an import from the West. The United States and other countries have pressured Ugandan leaders not to pass the bill, which would mean a death sentence for gay people with H.I.V. who have sex and life imprisonment for a homosexual act. Friends, family members and landlords of gay people would also be imprisoned if they don't report them.

"You are either anti-homosexual or you're for homosexuals, because there's no middle point," David Bahati, who wrote the bill, told NPR. "Anybody who does not believe that homosexuality is a crime is a sympathizer."

Uganda Proposes Death Penalty for Gays

Pictured: Ugandan gay rights activist David Cato

Add a Comment See all 12 Comments
by spongekill January 6, 2010 2:28 PM EST
Finally the Christian right has to own up to its own hateful rhetoric, now that someone has put their words into action. Hopefully things like this will serve to both galvanize gay rights support AND expose the opposition for the thoughtless and harmful movement that most of us already knew it to be.
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by seeking_understanding December 25, 2009 12:46 PM EST
On Christmas day of all days it is remarkable to reflect on how removed the evangelical right and right wing Republicans are from the message of Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward All. Republicans and right wing clergy have only started to protest this law when they were pressured to do so. The "Family" has had quite a long history of interfering in Uganda affairs and pushing their right wing agenda, including their homophobia. Now they are tied to this extreme legislation. This better be a wake up call for these hypocrites.
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by mikelpond December 23, 2009 2:00 PM EST
hey sundy42,
nice comments, I'll bet you tell folks you're a christian too, or do you just play one when it's convenient?
just wondering,
mike
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by mikelpond December 23, 2009 1:53 PM EST
yeh, except the gop's "family", right?
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by sleepyric December 23, 2009 8:42 AM EST
it was a handful of US rightwing congressmen who sponsored evangelical speakers to Uganda's congress who delivered the anti-gay message. Uganda's parliment, used the evangelicals data as some kind of scientific basis or truth, and thus constructed their legislation to include inprisonment or execution of gays in their country! Now, since that story broke, the US reps responsible are now "condemning" the laws...too late - you already did your damage. We have so much wrong in this country, why the hell don't our representatives and senators stay home and try to fix something. The whole US congress has become a bunch or morons.
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by pjk12354 December 23, 2009 8:22 AM EST
There must be more Gay Republicons than we first thought.........
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by trumpet_111 December 22, 2009 6:09 PM EST
What is wrong with our politicians! That's another country! Let them do whatever it is they do and mind America's affairs! ALL of our politicians need to read the Declaration Of Independence and the U.S. Constitution over the Christmas break, then come back to honor their oath of office!
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by sunday42 December 22, 2009 10:02 PM EST
I wonder how much money we send to these folks in foreign aide? We buy them the same way our Senators buy each other. Just like us, sit down shut up and smile!
by seeking_understanding December 25, 2009 12:42 PM EST
Our politicians helped encourage this mess in Uganda. If you think America should mind it's own business, then let's get out of the Middle East. Perhaps you also believe we should have let Hitler have his way in Europe?
by Livinontheedge December 22, 2009 6:04 PM EST
This is hilarious. They tell the Ugandan President he is wrong then vote no on legislation here to make hate crimes against gays against the law. Typical hypocrite republicans.
Reply to this comment
by sunday42 December 22, 2009 9:52 PM EST
Doubble the aide we give him. Right on! Someone not blessed with PC. Bravo!!!
by kansas1946 December 22, 2009 6:01 PM EST
Yeah, so they say. I wouldn't trust a Republican as far as I could throw him/her on gay issues.
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