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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsActivists: Hundreds of LGBT Refugees Have Fled Uganda
Hundreds of LGBT refugees whose existence has been criminalized under Uganda's draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act have fled Uganda for neighboring Kenya after facing threats and being blackmailed, kidnapped, arrested, evicted and assaulted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, says a Kenyan activist and LGBT community organizer.
"Ken," who is currently touring the U.S. to raise awareness about the plight of LGBT people in east Africa with the help of American Jewish World Service, is traveling under a psuedonym for his own safety, the safety of the LGBT social services organization he runs in Kenya, and for the safety and security of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex members.
According to organizers of Ken's U.S. speaking engagements and media interviews, not only Ken himself but the entire organization he represents would be in grave danger if his identity were known to those opponents of LGBT rights back home in Kenya.
"In our organization, we have 102 members who have come from Uganda in order to escape the antihomosexuality law and the violence and oppression it has created," Ken tells The Advocate in a phone interview.
http://www.advocate.com/world/2014/06/27/activists-hundreds-lgbt-refugees-have-fled-uganda
I realize that the U.S. has stopped funds to Uganda, but so much more needs to be done. They are literally fleeing for their lives.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)and Francis supports them and DU wants to love Francis. So they pretend there is no pogrom. I have seen some Francis supporters openly mocking mention of the plight of LGBT Ugandans.
William769
(55,148 posts)If I say more I'll get into trouble.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)people like the Bishops in Uganda. But that's the fact and they need to either be proud of it or take some action, they should not expect others to help then maintain their illusions of righteousness. Especially considering the Church just keeps up the attacks in this country as well.
William769
(55,148 posts)They are everywhere.
theHandpuppet
(19,964 posts)The seat he should really be running for is at the Hague.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)People don't like it when others point out the obvious cognitive dissonance of holding to liberal political beliefs while fronting for an organization dedicated to homophobia and sexism.
It's especially irks me when people note that 85% of Catholics don't even bother to listen to their clergy on issues such as birth control, yet their support creates hardships for all women.
Maybe when it's also men whose lives are at risk, because of homophobic policies, some people will decide not to support religious groups that are dedicated to harming others, whatever lip service they give to the issue of poverty.
When the Vatican sells some treasures to elevate the lives of the poor, then I'll care about Frank choosing to sit on a simple throne.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)in certain quarters.
Response to William769 (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
William769
(55,148 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)William769
(55,148 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)nt
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)dembotoz
(16,864 posts)the inquisitions (there were 3) were not carried out by the buddists ya know....
sheshe2
(84,005 posts)No words...
icymist
(15,888 posts)Take a look; this is not the way of peace.
Cha
(297,935 posts)"Ruth Messinger, American Jewish World Service president, tells The Advocate that her organization has made fighting for the rights of LGBT people worldwide is a major part of its mission because Jewish people understand what it is like to be oppressed by official government policies and government officials.
In Africa and around the world, LGBT people are ostracized, threatened, and assaulted just because of who they are and whom they love, Messinger says during a phone interview. As Jews, we certainly understand all too well the reality of living in countries in which states sanction hate against minorities and trample their rights."
In Africa and in Russia among other places that oppress our GLBT brothers and sisters and Need all the bright light shone on them in the world.. and, I thank you for doing that, William.
Here's Hoping..
"It remains to be seen if that supposed legitimacy will make its way from the diplomatic corps to ground-level U.S. immigration procedures or if LGBT Africans fleeing persecution will be granted a reprieve on the regular requirements to demonstrate financial means and family ties in order to secure a visa for extended stay and political asylum in the U.S. Thus far, activists continue to report a complex system for requesting asylum that remains out of reach for many in Uganda's already marginalized LGBT population."
Behind the Aegis
(54,044 posts)I wish more groups were involved.