International controversy over Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill

Oriana Robertson

29 October 2010

4:33pm

Public outcry over the presence of homosexuals and homosexuality in Uganda has reached an all time high. Uganda’s Rolling Stone newspaper has recently published an article featuring Uganda’s “Top 100 Homosexuals” including the pictures and addresses of these perceived people. Since the publishing of the article, at least four people have been harassed and attacked. In the Rolling Stones’ editor Giles Muhame’s interview, he claims that “We thought, by publishing that story, the police would investigate them, prosecute them, and hang them.” When asked if he feels like he is guilty of the invasion of privacy, Muhame replies that it is good for the public to know what evils are going on behind closed doors.

Lawmakers are currently proposing an ‘anti-gay’ bill with penalties such as death and/or imprisonment. International human rights agencies and governments have gone against the bill and give aid to Uganda in the midst of their crisis. The bill has been claimed to stem from a recent Evangelical Christian’s conference on the evils of homosexuality. This issue has a lot to do with the presence of homophobia in Uganda and other predominately Christian nations.

There is clearly a conflict of cultural interest among all nations involved concerning this issue. Some countries think that the bill is outright hateful and violates privacy and basic human rights. Others tend to agree with Uganda’s bill, but not necessarily condoning the violence it permits. If the bill were to pass, there would be an even bigger increase on violence in the nation of Uganda. The country is currently experiencing growing pains as it is developing itself. There is no one answer when it comes to the matters of individual countries decisions. Who is to dictate what a country can impose on its citizens; however, if it seems to be a matter of violence or human rights, who is not to intervene?

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/anti-homosexuality-bill-uganda-global-uproar/story?id=10045436&page=1

http://www.einnews.com/news.php?oid=WIyx4Su25v5sww