tristanrobin

Bush Praises Ugandan Strongman Blamed For Gay Human Rights Abuses by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff Posted: October 30, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET
(Washington) President Bush met at the White House on Tuesday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for talks that focused on trade, HIV/AIDS but seemingly ignored alleged human rights abuses of gays and lesbians.
The two emerged from the meeting to appear for a camera opportunity with Bush praising Museveni for his push to lower the AIDS rate in the African nation by emphasizing abstinence until marriage.
"Uganda is the epitome of how one can implement a comprehensive ABC strategy to achieve concrete and specific results for the sake of humanity," said Bush.
Money provided to Uganda by the US to fight HIV/AIDS, however is alleged to have to groups that human rights activists say are responsible for attacks on gays.
Bush said his administration would "work with Uganda on their eligibility" for the Millennium Challenge. The Bush initiative conditions U.S. aid on a country fulfilling requirements such as commitments to democratic reforms, economic freedoms and human rights.
"I told the president this is a very important program," Bush said.
The Millennium Challenge makes no mention of LGBT civil rights.
Anti-gay attacks are commonplace in Uganda but have been increasing since August when Ugandan LGBT rights groups for the first time held a public news conference to demand basic civil rights. (story) Many of the participants wore disguises out of fears of government reprisals.
A week later supporters of a coalition of Christian and Muslim religious groups filled a downtown stadium demanding mass arrests of gays.
This month the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said that it had uncovered evidence that the Bush administration has funded groups in Uganda that actively promote violence and discrimination against lesbians and gay men. (story)
Among those receiving money, according to US government records, is Uganda Muslim Tabliqh, and the Makerere University Community Church,
The church's leader, Pastor Martin Ssempa, was a leading organizer of the anti-gay rally in Kampala.
Ssempa and his coalition, which includes Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, and Evangelicals, also have threatened the safety of Ugandan LGBT rights activists by posting their names, photos and addresses on a website
Two weeks ago Uganda's leading Muslim cleric told Museveni that gays be rounded up and marooned on an island in Lake Victoria until they die. (story)
Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje told reporters of his plan following a much publicized meeting with Museveni.
"I asked President Museveni to get us an island on Lake Victoria and we take these homosexuals and they die out there," Mubajje told a news conference.
"If they die there then we shall have no more homosexuals in the country."
In 2005 Museveni has signed into law a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, making the country the only one in the world to have a specific constitutional reference outlawing gay marriage.
This year Museveni pushed constitutional changes to allow him a third term and won re-election in voting last year, though Uganda's main opposition party charged many people were barred from the polls and some returns were falsified.
At the White House Museveni only wanted to talk with reporters about trade and commerce.
"You need good infrastructure within a country like Uganda, as well as other African countries, so that you can produce goods at low cost," Museveni said. "Therefore you can be competitive in the expanded markets, and also in the regional markets."

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"know this is EXACTLY why people think you shouldnt have equal rights" 2/11/08 Grace

pensacola_niceman

Who the fuck cares?

fxashun

If the country feels that gay people should be abolished, don't they have that right? If they feel that homosexuality is an abomination, just as we do for some other sexual deviations, and used to feel about homosexuality, who are we to tell them what they think is wrong? It would be rather hypocritical considering how this country was founded.

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englishsunflower

I am not a bit suprised at what Bush is doing. He has more or less done the same to me
A little history
I am a 57 yr old woman,disabled,part Native American,Lesbian
I have a partner that I married in Canada last yr that is from the UK. Those of you in the <know> know that the UK has civil Partnerships. I was born in a small town in southern American and have worked,paid taxes, and had my children here in this country.( yes I was married several times to fit with the norm of this country) I have never been in trouble with the law and have kept my "head down" for my 57 years on this earth. Now that I have found the person that I am finely happy with the Gov.will not let me bring her to my home country.I could understand if she was from a non EU country but she is from Bushes butt buddys home land. An ali. Becouse we are a same sex couple we have no rights in this country to live here together.If she was a man I could bring her over with no problems at all. So now I have to leave my home,children,and life becouse of our love for oneanother.
So I guess I am being put on a island as well

tristanrobin

That is such a tragic story - I'm sorry our government has chosen to turn its back on you and your new family.

and to the forum!

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"know this is EXACTLY why people think you shouldnt have equal rights" 2/11/08 Grace

pensacola_niceman

What is your country? Are you an American or a Brit? It wasn't clear (to me) what country you consider home.

By the way, welcome to the board.

garysher

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englishsunflower

America is my home I have lived here for 57 yrs but I guess it doesn't want me anymore. Or my Tax money.I will be going to the UK to live only becouse America will not let me live my harmless life here.All I want is to have someone I love be there with me when I am old and it really souldn't matter to the Gov who that someone is. If it kept me out of a nursing home and kept me out of there pockets they should be happy.We both have really good jobs and I could have supported her till she was able to go back to work here but nooooooooo we are a same sex couple and our love doesn't count.

englishsunflower

TY Trist for the welcome
I know I will like the UK have been over 19 times in the last 7 yrs and that was before we were married in Canada last yr. Almost had to get a new passport to put my visa in lol.The people there are so open minded and really don't give a toss about who you live with.They only want to know you are a good person. You would think becouse of the church people would be diffrent but they voted for Civil Partnership.I have yet to meet anyone that didn't vote for it.It's the point of this whole mess that gets me.I grew up during the Civil Right era and even marched in Washington a couple of times,but never in my wildness dreams did I think that I would have to fight for the right to be happy
TY again for the welcome and will still be here when I move to the UK becouse I will never give up the fight to come back to my home with the one I love.

OhDear

I would also like to welcome our new member, English Sunflower to the DtT community!

I am saddened by the prejudice that you have experienced, and do wish you every happiness as you seek a more tolerant society to live in.

Many happy best wishes to you and your spouse.



OhDear

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