A Heartbreaking Story From One of the World's Most Transphobic Places | Jonny von Wallström

When President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law, he changed the lives of all LGBTI people in Uganda, one of the most dangerous countries for gay and transgender people. For my friend Cleopatra Kambugu, February 24, 2014, was one of the worst days of her life. In the same week, Cleo found her name on the front page of The Red Pepper, a Ugandan newspaper. She lost her job and was abandoned by most of her family. But she wasn't the only one.

With homosexuality illegal in the country, everyone was forced to conform to the norm or hide from the authority and even from their family and friends. Gay and transgender people lost their jobs and were forced to live in isolation to avoid persecution or violence, to live alone away from the people they care about. The Anti-Homosexuality Act encompasses prohibitions for all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions that are not considered normal. So, while Cleo is not gay, she is still subject to the harsh, inhuman stipulations of the law.
,,,

Nevertheless, the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act changed things for Cleo drastically. Four days after the act was signed by the Ugandan President, she found herself on the cover of The Red Pepper. Realizing that the crackdown on them had begun. Fearing for their lives, they went underground.

During this time, I received a heartbreaking letter from Cleo, telling me about the harsh effect the law had on their lives. They had been forced to live behind closed doors for over a month. With Cleo's mother coming in the nights with food and supply. Cleo was trying to get out of the country to Sweden, USA or Norway. Anything would help.

But at this time, countries like Sweden, who is known for supporting LGBTI activists in Uganda. Turned their backs to the activists. Many were refused to attend international conferences because of the fear of them overstaying their visas and that they would use it as an excuse not to go back home.

A Heartbreaking Story From One of the World's Most Transphobic Places | Jonny von Wallström

Uganda President Sent Book on Homosexuality in Animals as Christmas Gift - SexualDiversity.Org

This lovely little bombshell was dropped in my lap thanks to Vegan.eu (@Veganeu) on Twitter. I find it absolutely priceless,,,

Uganda's President Receives a Book on Homosexuality in Animals as a Christmas Present...

The German online dating company Gleichklang.de (http://www.gleichklang.de) has sent a book on homosexuality in animals to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.

"Biological Exuberance - Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity" was written by the Canadian biologist Bruce Bagemihl.

The book documents homosexual behavior in more than 450 animal species.

Uganda President Sent Book on Homosexuality in Animals as Christmas Gift - SexualDiversity.Org

A call for answers from Anti-Gay Paul Shinners: Uganda's Easter Message Calls For Genocide

A reader submitted post,,,

Uganda's Easter Message Calls For Genocide

Clergy praise Museveni on gay law and call for resilience...Several churches in eastern Uganda praised President Museveni in their Easter sermons for assenting to the anti-gays law in February.

In Tororo District, Bishop Emmanuel Obbo, the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, urged every citizen who supported the anti-homosexuality law to lay down greed, corruption and “put them to death and let generosity rise up within us and flow out in abundance.” He said “In Christ, we have victory over dysfunctional relationships, bad habits, painful experiences, sexual temptation and devastating circumstances.”

A call for answers from Anti-Gay Paul Shinners: Uganda's Easter Message Calls For Genocide

US to send experts to refute anti-gay bigotry | MSNBC

A bit of a "mixed" message. Although the previous story deals specifically with the Church of Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni is reported to have "praised [the] bishops of the Anglican Church recently for their support and campaigning to pass the anti-gay legislation.

And why wait 5 years to do this? Why was Lively and his entourage even allowed to go to Uganda in the first place?  "Experiment in diplomacy" sums it up quite well.

 US to send experts to refute anti-gay bigotry | MSNBC

Church of Uganda plans ‘gay cures’, exorcisms predicted | Gay Star News

The Church of Uganda will be setting up ‘gay cure’ groups after returning ‘resources’ given to them by the Church of England.

They may even be performing ‘exorcisms’ and beatings, according to experts.

It shows the Anglican community in the east African country is distancing itself from the mother church in the UK, which has called on it to be more gay-friendly.

President Yoweri Museveni praised bishops of the Anglican Church recently for their support and campaigning to pass the anti-gay legislation.

Signed into law earlier this year, it punishes homosexuality with up to life in prison.

Church of Uganda plans ‘gay cures’, exorcisms predicted | Gay Star News