THEGAYUK

Tag: Politics

The latest news, interviews, and views from the world of LGBT politics in the UK and internationally.

  • Uganda’s President: Gays ‘Are Disgusting’ and ‘Abnormal’

    The Ugandan government has signed into law a bill that will see gay people serving lengthy jail sentences for gay sex.

    In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Zain Verjee, Ugandan President Museveni stated that he found homosexuality ‘disgusting’ and ‘abnormal’.

    Museveni told Verjee that his message to human rights groups and US President Obama was that they should ‘respect African societies and their values, just the way we don’t interfere with yours. If you don’t agree you just keep quiet. Let us manage our society if we are wrong we will find out by ourselves, just the way we don’t interfere with yours.’
    When asked if he personally disliked homosexuals, he commented that ’they are disgusting. What sort of people are they?’ He added: ‘I never knew what they were doing I was told recently. It’s terrible, disgusting but I was ready to ignore that if there was proof that that’s he’s been born abnormal but now the proof is not there.’

    Last week US President, Obama Barack, warned Uganda about their ‘odious’ views and that international relations could be strained if they signed the law into power.

    The new law proposes that anyone engaging in homosexual acts could face life imprisonment and that anyone who does not report the crime would also fall foul of the law. Even talking about homosexuality without condemning would be a crime under the new bill.

    For the first time the new bill also covers lesbian relationships.

  • UK’s Deputy Prime Minister: Uganda Anti-Gay Law ‘abhorrent’

    The UK’s Deputy Prime Minister has said that the new Ugandan anti-gay law is an ‘abhorrent backwards step’.

    The UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, is joining the number of world leaders that are openly speaking out against Uganda’s newly signed law which could see gay people jailed.

    The new law proposes that anyone engaging in homosexual acts could face life imprisonment and that anyone who does not report the crime would also fall foul of the law. Even talking about homosexuality without condemning would be a crime under the new bill.

    For the first time the new bill also covers lesbian relationships.

    Taking to Twitter the Liberal Democrat leader said:

    ‘The Ugandan anti-gay law is an abhorrent backwards step for human rights. It should never be a crime to be LGBT.’

    In an interview with CNN Uganda’s President said that gay people were ‘Disgusting’ and ‘Abnormal’

  • Obama warns Uganda against anti-gay law

    The US President, Barack Obama has warned Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni that an anti-gay law could complicate relationships that tie the two nations together.

    The new law proposes that anyone engaging in homosexual acts could face life imprisonment and that anyone who does not report the crime would also fall foul of the law. Even talking about homosexuality without condemning would be a crime under the new bill.

    For the first time the new bill also covers lesbian relationships.

    Obama, who previously called the law ‘odious’ has once again hit out, saying that if the new law was approved that the relationships between the two countries would be ‘complicated’. The US is of Uganda’s biggest aid donors.

    His criticism of the anti-gay move was not limited to Uganda; he also noted the increase of harassment and violence against gay people in Russia and Nigeria.

    President Yoweri Museveni refused to approve the law initially, however the bill can still be passed with a two-thirds vote. However Yahoo is reporting that a spokesperson for the President said that the bill would be signed after local ‘scientific’ analysis. The team was asked to “study homosexuality and genetics in human beings.”

    The scientists found that;

    ‘There is no definitive gene responsible for homosexuality,

    ‘Homosexuality is not a disease but merely an abnormal behaviour which may be learned through experiences in life.’

    Last year a controversial law that was named ‘Kill the gays’ was halted, the law was amended and the death penalty was removed.

  • It’s Raining Men Enters Into Official UK Single’s Chart

    The Weather Girl’s camp classic, It’s Raining Men has entered the charts at number 31 after a Facebook campaign.

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  • OPINION | Don’t blame the gay weather man

    So as I woke today, head banging after too much wine last night, I opened my emails to the news that David Silvester, a UK Independence Party councillor had claimed yesterday that the UK’s recent bad weather has been caused by, no wait for it, the legalisation of same-sex marriage!

    After my initial shock and making sure I had actually woken up and wasn’t still dreaming, I actually couldn’t stop laughing and find this extremely amusing. I mean come on!

    Hold on to your hats people…. EXTREME WEATHER WARNING! Tonight for the first time, just about half past ten. For the first time in history it’s gonna start rainin’ men!

    The absurd claims this clown is making is that the country was suffering storms after David Cameron had ‘acted arrogantly against the gospel’. In a letter written to the Henley Standard, he stated ‘The scriptures make it abundantly clear that a Christian nation that abandons its faith and acts contrary to the Gospel will be beset by natural disasters such as storms, disease, pestilence and war.’ This looney who is the councillor of Henley-on-Thames also advised he had written to the prime minister in April 2012 to warn him this was going to happen.

    I hate to be the bearer of bad news and give this fool the rude awakening he needs but further bad weather has been predicted so it doesn’t look like the legalisation of same-sex marriage is going anywhere! The deluded councillor has also told BBC Radio Berkshire in an interview ‘…I believe as a Christian I should love gay people and indeed, I do. My prayer for them is they will be healed.’ He went on to say ‘It is a spiritual disease… it’s not what I say, it’s what the Bible says.’

    All I can say is, it is not us gays that need praying for you knob, it’s the poor people of your constituency.

    A spokesperson for the UK Independence Party said yesterday that the party did not share Mr Silvester’s views but defended his right to state them. They seemed to have changed their tune today as according to Sky News he has been suspended. Well, I hear the Westboro Baptist Church is currently recruiting.

    The stupidity of some people never fails to amaze me!

    You’re never going to get a rainbow, without a little rain!

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Nigeria passes anti-gay law

    The president of Nigeria has signed a new bill, shrouded in secrecy that outlaws homosexuality.

    • Law criminalises homosexuality
    • Punishment includes prison tariff up to 14 years.
    • Law does not allow gay clubs, associations or organisations.

    A step in the wrong direction for Nigerian LGBT people, as the Country’s President signs into law a bill that will make being gay in the African country a near impossibility, the telegraph is reporting

    Associated Press obtained a copy of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which was signed by President Goodluck on the 7th January. However, no official announcement was made that the law had been signed.

    The law has made it illegal for gay people to hold meetings, run LGBT organisations, associations and clubs.

    Nigeria is still part of the Commonwealth. Last year Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signed a charter that opposed all forms of discrimination.

    TheGayUK has contacted the Commonwealth for comment.

    British human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, has been campaigning with Nigerians against the Bill. He commented:

    ‘This is a tragic day for human rights in Nigeria. Signing the Bill is a backward step that gravely intensifies the already existing harsh anti-gay laws in Nigeria. These laws were originally imposed by the British during the period of colonial rule in the nineteenth century.

    ‘The legislation outlaws the hosting, participation or witnessing of a same-sex marriage or civil union. It also criminalises LGBT organisations and advocacy groups, support for gay organisations and events, and public expressions of same-sex affection. This makes it one of the most draconian homophobic laws in the world.

    ‘The Bill violates the equality and non-discrimination clause of the Nigerian constitution (Article 42), the Commonwealth Charter and Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which Nigeria has signed and pledged to uphold.

    ‘This law is symptomatic of the many human rights abuses that prevail in Nigeria and which all Nigerians – LGBT and straight – have a common interest in overturning.’

  • Nick Griffin Cares For The Gays?

    Well this might be a turn up for the books… Newly bankrupt Nick Griffin has Tweeted his somewhat support of gay people, but only through warning people of the ‘Dangers of Islamism’

    Openly gay showman Derren Brown tweeted the hashtag #PrayForNick after news of the BNP leader’s bankruptcy. However in a crude turn, Nick tweeted back:

    ‘@DerrenBrown @TheStaggers Don’t worry Derren, it doesn’t stop me being an MEP & warning of the danger Islamism poses to you & yours! X’

    So it seems that Nick Griffin is on the side of gay people – as long as it’s against Islam? We’re not quite sure, but I’m pretty sure we’re ok without your support Nick – Thanks anyway.

    In 2012 Nick Griffin called upon his legion of followers to make their ‘merry’ way to the house of Michael Black and John Morgan who won their discrimination case against a B&B owner who wouldn’t allow the couple to stay the night at her business, in what was seen as a incitement to abuse the couple.

  • Nick Griffin Bankrupt, Plans To Write Pamphlet On Dealing With Debt

    Yep, you couldn’t make it up. Nick Griffin who once called gay people ‘creepy’ has been declared bankrupt.

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  • Ugandan MPs pass “Jail The Gays” bill

    Life in prison a possibility after Ugandan MPs passes anti-homosexuality bill.

    The Ugandan Parliament has passed a law which could see thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the region jailed for life.

    The law was first introduced in 2009 – and sparked world-wide condemnation – a petition by AllOut to Uganda’s President, Yoweri Musevni, reached nearly 250,000 people.

    In the original draft of the bill, lawmakers had suggested a death sentence tariff for “aggravated homosexuality”, which would have included: sex where one person is infected with HIV, serial offenders and sex with minors.

    The law was post-poned after the world’s media shone a spotlight on the proposal, with President Obama calling the bill ‘odious’.

    Human Rights groups have called upon President Yoweri Museveni to veto the bill. In order for the bill to become law, it requires his signature in 30 days.

    Deputy Africa Director at Amnesty International, Aster van Kregten, said:

    “President Museveni must veto this wildly discriminatory legislation, which amounts to a grave assault on human rights and makes a mockery of the Ugandan constitution.

    “Passing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was a retrograde step for Uganda’s Parliament, which has made some important progress on human rights in recent years, including criminalising torture. It flies in the face of the Ugandan government’s stated commitment to ensure all legislation complies with human rights.”

    Violation

    ‘The new anti-gay law violates Article 21 of the Ugandan constitution and Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights – both of which guarantee equal treatment and non-discrimination to all people,” said human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

    ‘It is part of a broader attack on civil society and is symptomatic of Uganda’s drift to Mugabe-style authoritarianism. This wider repression includes a clamp down on protests, strikes, the media and opposition activists.’

    ‘Ugandans have been anxiously waiting for this bill. This day will be a good day for all Ugandans,’said Benson Obua Ogwal, a member of parliament for Moroto.

    The law maker of the new piece of legislation, David Bahati said:

    “This is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa, and also protect the future of our children.”

    Summary of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
    “The Bill extends the existing penalty of life imprisonment for same-sex intercourse to all other same-sex behaviour, including the mere touching of another person with the intent to have homosexual relations,” added Mr Tatchell.
    “Life imprisonment is also the penalty for contracting a same-sex marriage.
    “Promoting homosexuality and aiding and abetting others to commit homosexual acts will be punishable by five to seven years jail. These new crimes are likely to include membership and funding of LGBT organisations, advocacy of LGBT human rights, supportive counselling of LGBT persons and the provision of condoms or safer sex advice to LGBT people.
    “A person in authority – gay or heterosexual – who fails to report violators to the police within 24 hours will be sentenced to three years behind bars.
    “Astonishingly, the new legislation has an extra-territorial jurisdiction. It will also apply to Ugandan citizens or foreign residents of Uganda who commit these ‘crimes’ while abroad, in countries where such behaviour is not a criminal offence. Violators overseas will be subjected to extradition, trial and punishment in Uganda.
    “This bill is in some respects even more draconian than the extreme homophobic laws of countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran,” added Mr Tatchell.

  • Two Fingers Up At Russian Homophobia

    Creative agency Mother and The Kaleidoscope Trust are sticking two fingers up at homophobia in Russia this Christmas.

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  • Gay Marriage Law Overturned In Australian Capital Territory

    Gay marriage law in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has been overturned by the Australia High Court, just a few days in.

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