The 78th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, NY,
condemns the "The Anti-Homosexuality Bill , 2009
From: John Clinton Bradley <johnclint@integrityusa.org>
To: Steve Perelli <sparelli2002@yahoo.com>; Rev. Michael Nzuki Kimindu <mnk240@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sun, November 8, 2009 12:30:47 PM
Subject: A Resolution Opposing Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda
Friends:
The resolution below was passed by my diocese yesteday..
John Clinton Bradley
sent from my iPhone
585-313-1059
---------
A Resolution Opposing Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda
Submitted by General Convention Deputy Neil Houghton on behalf of the Committee for Gay and
Lesbian Ministry
Resolved, that the 78th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester condemns the "The Anti-
Homosexuality Bill , 2009" currently before the Parliament of Uganda as a violation of the Ugandan
Constitution—as well as several international human and civil rights treaties to which Uganda is a
party; and be it further
Resolved, that this Convention express its profound disappointment that the Anglican Church of
Uganda supports this legislation contrary to the Anglican Communion's "Don't Throw Stones"
initiative; and be it further
Resolved, that this Convention directs the Secretary of Convention to relay this resolution as soon
as possibleto the following persons…
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi
Speaker of the Parliament Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka
The Honorable Opio Gabriel, Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Affairs
Med Kaggwa, Chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission
Mathisen Gørild, Chair of the Uganda Diplomatic Human Rights Working Groups
Jerry P. Lanier, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda
Perezi K. Kamunanwire, Ugandan Ambassador to the U.S.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Henry Luke Orambi
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Explanation
Recently, the Ugandan Parliament began to consider a draconian law [Attachment 1] that would
reaffirm penalties for homosexuality and criminalize the "promotion of homosexuality." The Anti-
Homosexuality Bill targets lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Ugandans, their
defenders, and anyone else who fails to report them to the authorities whether they are inside or
outside of Uganda.
Uganda's Penal Code Article 145a already criminalizes "carnal knowledge of any person against the
order of nature"—a charge used to prosecute, persecute and blackmail LGBT people with the threat
of life imprisonment. The new bill would specifically penalize homosexuality, using life imprisonment to
punish anything from sexual stimulation to simply "touch[ing] another person with the intention of
committing the act of homosexuality." It also punishes "aggravated homosexuality"—including activity
by "serial offenders" or those who are HIV positive—with the death penalty.
The bill criminalizes "promotion of homosexuality" in the form of funding and sponsoring LGBT
organizations and broadcasting, publishing, or marketing materials on homosexuality and punishes
these acts with a steep fine, 5-7 years of imprisonment, or both. Any person in authority who fails to
report known violations of the law within 24 hours will also be subject to a significant fine and up to 3
years in prison—even when this means turning in their colleagues, family, or friends. Moreoever, the
bill claims jurisdiction over Ugandans who violate its provisions while outside of the country. The bill
effectively bans any kind of community or political organizing around LGBT equality.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill violates National Objective 5(2) of the Ugandan Constitution, which
provides that "the State shall guarantee and respect the independence of non-governmental
organizations which protect and promote human rights." Moreover, it directly violates the right to
equality and freedom from discrimination (Article 21), the right to privacy (Article 27), the right to
freedoms of speech, expression, association, and assembly (Article 29), the protection of minorities
(Article 36), and the protection of civic rights and activities (Article 38) to which all Ugandans are
entitled. It also violates the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international human rights treaties to which
Uganda is a party. This bill undermines Uganda's commitment to the international human rights
regime and threatens the basic human rights of all its citizens.
The Anglican Church of Uganda has publically expressed its support for this bill—although
suggesting that life imprisonment is preferable to execution [Attachment 2]. This is directly contrary
to the Anglican Communion's "Don't Throw Stones" initiative—which opposes the victimization or
diminishment of LGBT people by the church or the state [Attachment 3]. Ugandan Archbishop
Orombi agreed to support this initiative during the 2007 Primates Meeting in Dar Es Salaam.
condemns the "The Anti-Homosexuality Bill , 2009
From: John Clinton Bradley <johnclint@integrityusa.org>
To: Steve Perelli <sparelli2002@yahoo.com>; Rev. Michael Nzuki Kimindu <mnk240@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sun, November 8, 2009 12:30:47 PM
Subject: A Resolution Opposing Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda
Friends:
The resolution below was passed by my diocese yesteday..
John Clinton Bradley
sent from my iPhone
585-313-1059
---------
A Resolution Opposing Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda
Submitted by General Convention Deputy Neil Houghton on behalf of the Committee for Gay and
Lesbian Ministry
Resolved, that the 78th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester condemns the "The Anti-
Homosexuality Bill , 2009" currently before the Parliament of Uganda as a violation of the Ugandan
Constitution—as well as several international human and civil rights treaties to which Uganda is a
party; and be it further
Resolved, that this Convention express its profound disappointment that the Anglican Church of
Uganda supports this legislation contrary to the Anglican Communion's "Don't Throw Stones"
initiative; and be it further
Resolved, that this Convention directs the Secretary of Convention to relay this resolution as soon
as possibleto the following persons…
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi
Speaker of the Parliament Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka
The Honorable Opio Gabriel, Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Affairs
Med Kaggwa, Chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission
Mathisen Gørild, Chair of the Uganda Diplomatic Human Rights Working Groups
Jerry P. Lanier, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda
Perezi K. Kamunanwire, Ugandan Ambassador to the U.S.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Henry Luke Orambi
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Explanation
Recently, the Ugandan Parliament began to consider a draconian law [Attachment 1] that would
reaffirm penalties for homosexuality and criminalize the "promotion of homosexuality." The Anti-
Homosexuality Bill targets lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Ugandans, their
defenders, and anyone else who fails to report them to the authorities whether they are inside or
outside of Uganda.
Uganda's Penal Code Article 145a already criminalizes "carnal knowledge of any person against the
order of nature"—a charge used to prosecute, persecute and blackmail LGBT people with the threat
of life imprisonment. The new bill would specifically penalize homosexuality, using life imprisonment to
punish anything from sexual stimulation to simply "touch[ing] another person with the intention of
committing the act of homosexuality." It also punishes "aggravated homosexuality"—including activity
by "serial offenders" or those who are HIV positive—with the death penalty.
The bill criminalizes "promotion of homosexuality" in the form of funding and sponsoring LGBT
organizations and broadcasting, publishing, or marketing materials on homosexuality and punishes
these acts with a steep fine, 5-7 years of imprisonment, or both. Any person in authority who fails to
report known violations of the law within 24 hours will also be subject to a significant fine and up to 3
years in prison—even when this means turning in their colleagues, family, or friends. Moreoever, the
bill claims jurisdiction over Ugandans who violate its provisions while outside of the country. The bill
effectively bans any kind of community or political organizing around LGBT equality.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill violates National Objective 5(2) of the Ugandan Constitution, which
provides that "the State shall guarantee and respect the independence of non-governmental
organizations which protect and promote human rights." Moreover, it directly violates the right to
equality and freedom from discrimination (Article 21), the right to privacy (Article 27), the right to
freedoms of speech, expression, association, and assembly (Article 29), the protection of minorities
(Article 36), and the protection of civic rights and activities (Article 38) to which all Ugandans are
entitled. It also violates the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international human rights treaties to which
Uganda is a party. This bill undermines Uganda's commitment to the international human rights
regime and threatens the basic human rights of all its citizens.
The Anglican Church of Uganda has publically expressed its support for this bill—although
suggesting that life imprisonment is preferable to execution [Attachment 2]. This is directly contrary
to the Anglican Communion's "Don't Throw Stones" initiative—which opposes the victimization or
diminishment of LGBT people by the church or the state [Attachment 3]. Ugandan Archbishop
Orombi agreed to support this initiative during the 2007 Primates Meeting in Dar Es Salaam.
This webpage was created and published November 21, 2009, SBL, New Orleans.
Visits to this webpage since November 21, 2009.
Visits to this webpage since November 21, 2009.
| Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 |
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| ACTION ALERT |
| Gay and Christian in KENYA, UGANDA, TANZANIA, RWANDA AND BURUNDI |
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