A bill which would prescribe severe penalties for anyone engaging in same-sex activity or "promoting homosexuality," has been put back on the Ugandan Parliament’s agenda. It means it could be voted on at any time. The development comes after the Speaker revealed some Christian clerics in the African nation had asked for it to be passed as "a Christmas gift." Formerly known as the “kill the gays bill” it is not clear whether the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" remains removed from the proposed law. Aggravated homosexuality, as defined in the legislation, occurs when sex takes place with a minor, when one person is HIV-positive, when one is a parent or guardian of the other partner, when one person is in a position of authority, if one of the participants is disabled, or if one uses drugs or alcohol to "have an unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex." The bill also categorizes “repeat offenders” as perpetrators of “aggravated homosexuality”. Even without the death penalty aspect, anyone who “counselled or abetted people in committing homosexual acts”, including landlords who rented houses or rooms to gay people, would face seven years in jail. The bill also makes it compulsory for people to report gay activity within 24 hours of becoming aware of them and penalises those who fail to do so. The odious legislation was taken off the Parliamentary schedule last May, after powerful international condemnation. “Now we have to do it again,” is the message from the group All Out. “We need to take action and share this far and wide. We need every voice to build a massive outcry that the media and world leaders can't ignore. The pressure could be enough to stop this bill in its tracks.” It’s asking people to sign its petition here www.allout.org/uganda “With millions of us together, we helped knocked this bill off course once before. Our friends in Uganda need to know we still have their backs. Sign now and then ask your friends to get on board – there's no time to lose!”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 22nd November 2012 - 11:04am