Obama Slams Uganda’s ‘Odious’ Anti-Gay Bill
The U.S. may still have a long way to go in terms of securing the civil rights of its GLBTQ citizens, but in some other parts of the world, such as Uganda, institutionalized homophobia threatens to take a deadly form. President Barack Obama spoke out Thursday against anti-homosexual legislation currently under consideration in the African country, calling the bill "odious."
The U.S. may still have a long way to go in terms of securing the civil rights of its GLBTQ citizens, but in some other parts of the world, such as Uganda, institutionalized homophobia threatens to take a deadly form. President Barack Obama spoke out Thursday against anti-homosexual legislation currently under consideration in the African country, calling the bill “odious.” –KA
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...BBC:
It is “unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are,” [Obama] told politicians and religious leaders at a prayer breakfast in Washington.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The bill would raise that penalty to life in prison.
It also proposes the death penalty for a new offence of “aggravated homosexuality” – defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a “serial offender”.
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