According to press reports, Uganda is poised to join the list of nations imposing the death penalty for being gay.The Ugandan parliament is expected to pass the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, which creates a new crime of "aggravated homosexuality" and makes such a crime punishable by the death penalty. Even the mere participation of a single homosexual act mandates life imprisonment.
Family members and friends who refuse to "out" those engaging in homosexual activities could face seven years in prison.
The law is so strict that even landlords and priests could be punished. A landlord that knowingly rents to homosexuals could face seven years in prison and religious leaders who fail to report could face three years behind bars.
The bill is so broad in its scope that aid workers trying to fight the African HIV/AIDS epidemic are expected to leave Uganda.
And what does the bill's sponsor say about this? MP David Bahati was quoted saying that the bill was designed to protect "traditional" Ugandan families. He directly targeted human rights groups and even the United Nations as promoting homosexuality and recruiting school children to become gay.
Unfortunately, Uganda is not alone in its homophobia. A number of African countries have passed or are also considering stringent anti-gay legislation. Nigeria, where homosexuality is already a capital offense, has proposed new legislation aimed at those who "promote" gay lifestyles. Burundi recently outlawed same sex relationships, although stopping short of executions and Rwanda is considering its own anti-gay legislation.
Although Africa is currently suffering from this waive of homophobic paranoia, the rest of the world is united against Uganda. Even very conservative Christian churches in the United States have criticized the Ugandan efforts.
At a time when AIDS is responsible for the deaths of millions of African men, women and children, those currently in power have seized the banner of "family values" to drive aid workers from their countries. AIDS is a problem but simply executing gay men and women will only make the AIDS epidemic worse.
What can we do? Unfortunately, much like the recent genocide in Rwanda, the main stream media has done little to report this story. The first step is to expose the truth and let the world know what is happening. And make sure that our elected officials do not sit idly while thousands of men and women are executed in the name of family values.
Brian Mahany is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wis., with a national practice concentrating in defending victims of discrimination and recovering monies for victims of frauds. He welcomes comments; write him at brian@mahanyertl.com .