In case any of you are wondering what this bill actually says, here or some highlights of it and a link to it and my thoughts on it.
Here is the some of the summery of the bill and some of the Bill itself that I wish to respond to. I will interject all my remarks with an
asterisk.
From the summery
(Summery and Bill found here)
www.boxturtlebulletin.com...
"the current bill reiterates a lifetime imprisonment on conviction of homosexuality, and defines a new category called “aggravated homosexuality”
with provisions for the death penalty upon conviction. Among the factors which can lead to “aggravated homosexuality” is if one partner is
HIV-positive. This bill would mandate HIV testing to determine eligibility for “aggravated homosexuality.”
Also like the earlier draft, the bill includes a complete ban on all LGBT activities — including blogging — which could be construed as
“promoting homosexuality.” This infringement on free speech, peaceful assembly, and redress of grievances marks the elimination of fundamental
human rights for LGBT Ugandans. The bill also bans all organizations which advocate on behalf of LGBT citizens and holds their leadership criminally
liable with fines and imprisonment for up to seven years.
The bill also extends jurisdiction to acts committed outside Uganda by Ugandan citizens. In other words, if a Ugandan citizen is known to be in a gay
relationship outside the country, he will risk lifetime imprisonment (or death, if he’s HIV-positive) upon his return.
* This is pretty straight forward. but why are they doing it? I found this:
* " There are currently an estimated 940,000 people living with HIV in Uganda, and a further 1.2 million children who have been * orphaned by
AIDS.1"
*
www.avert.org...
* That seems like a good reason to stop HIV at all costs. lets see why else they are doing it.
From the Bill
This Bill aims at strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family.
The Bill further aims at providing a comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect the cherished culture of the people of Uganda. legal,
religious, and traditional family values of the people of Uganda against the attempts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of
sexual promiscuity on the people of Uganda.
There is also need to protect the children and youths of Uganda who are made vulnerable to sexual abuse and deviation as a result of cultural changes,
uncensored information technologies, parentless child developmental settings and increasing attempts by homosexuals to raise children in homosexual
relationships through adoption, foster care, or otherwise.
* Ah, Here it is. they want to protect their way of life, Their Traditional Family Values. That seems fair and honest.
Objective of the Bill
(a) provide for marriage in Uganda as that contracted only between a man and a woman;
(b) prohibit and penalize homosexual behavior and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family;
(e) prohibit ratification of any international treaties, conventions, protocols, agreements and declarations which are contrary or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act;
(d) prohibit the licensing of organizations which promote homosexuality.
* If this is what they want as a whole for their people, there is nothing wrong with this and no one should have the right to tell a government they
cannot lead their people as they see fit as long as they are not hurting anyone. That is, as long a this is not a new Hitler just trying to wipe out
thousands of people for the hell of it just because they disagree with their beliefs.
3. Aggravated homosexuality. * This is where the possible death penalty comes in.
(1) A person commits the offense of aggravated homosexuality where the
(a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of 18 years;
* Sex with a minor. That is fair.
(b) offender is a person living with HIV;
* Spreading a deadly disease. that is fair.
(c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed;
* Sex with a family member. That is fair.
(d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed;
* Sex with person whom you seek to dominate. That is fair.
(e) victim of the offence is a person with disability;
* Taking advantage of the disabled. That is fair.
(f) offender is a serial offender, or
* Offender breaks the Law multiple times. That is fair.
(g) offender applies, administers or causes to be used by any man or woman any drug, matter or thing with intent to stupefy overpower him or her so as
to there by enable any person to have unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex,
* Sex by taking advantage of a person using drugs without their consent. That is fair.
(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death.
(3) Where a person is charged with the offence under this section, that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV
status."
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* Why do I say these things are fair? Because they are! These people are trying to stave off a deadly disease and protect their traditional family
values. Uganda is Not the USA. you cannot seek to impose your values on these peoples if this is how they choose to run their country.
I see nothing evil in this bill. The reasons for the possible death penalty are all horrible crimes committed against another person.