Laura Brewer
1/27/2011 1:58 PM
Ugandan gay rights activist bludgeoned to death
A gay activist in Uganda was bludgeoned to death in his home. His name was David Kato and he was listed as “top 100” homosexuals in a Ugandan tabloid, with a banner displaying the words “Hang Them.” It is unclear whether the killing was related to his activism or the article. Kato told CNN a year ago that he was worried for his safety and that other Ugandans wanted to set his house on fire. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, like many African nations. It is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Arrest warrants are out for two suspects, a taxi driver found near Kato’s house and an ex-convict who was staying with Kato. Maria Burnett, the senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch commented that his death is a great loss to the human rights community and he faced LGBT threats bravely. The U.S. Mission in Kampala issued a statement saying that Kato’s activism was an important demonstration for human rights around the world and he improved the lives of many minority populations in Uganda. The article of the Rolling Stone (unaffiliated with the U.S. magazine) which published the article expressed sympathies, saying that the call to hand homosexuals was for after the legal process, not in cold blood. I picked this article because it struck me as a clear example of inequality around the world. Though he was not executed by law, this man was punished for his orientation. Kato basically died as a martyr for the gay community in Africa because he was well aware of the dangers he faced by being public and fighting for equal rights. Kato’s death could be interpreted as a warning to leave things the way they are or an example of the bravery involved in the fight for equality.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/27/uganda.gay.activist.killed/index.html
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