Uganda’s president to sign anti-gay bill Monday

Associated Press ^ | Feb 23, 2014 11:53 PM EST

[Olog-hai]

Uganda’s president is expected to sign a controversial anti-gay bill that allows harsh penalties for homosexual offenses. […]

U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Museveni not to sign the bill, saying doing so would “complicate” the east African country’s relationship with Washington. …

[twister881]

Sign it. The law will complicate things only for the Raging Queen occupying the Oral Orifice.

[expatguy]

Few seem to understand the difference between homosexuals themselves and homosexual behavior.

I see it the same as I see laws against smoking. The law is not against the smoker, but rather the smoking.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[Viennacon]

This comes from parliamentarian Ofwono Opondo, who has said

“The Western media should now swallow their own weekend lie that Pres Museveni won’t sign anti-homosexuality law”

Apparently the press had fabricated that another delay was in the works. No, the law comes into effect Monday. Do not be surprised if neighboring Kenya adopts similar measures by the end of this year.

While I think the law addressed problems that are evident in Uganda, it’s not really tackling the big issue. The Nigerian and Russian laws have made precision strikes not against sodomy itself, but against its normalization, by cracking down on promotion among minors. Once that is neutralized, the entire agenda becomes as useless as a kickstand on a submarine.

[fwdude]

No, a multi-pronged attack is needed. And criminalizing sodomy already contains the express prohibition of its propaganda.

[Viennacon]

To be clear, this law does not criminalize sodomy. That law is already on the books as ‘carnal knowledge of another person’. All this law does is give the possibility of a life sentence for ‘aggravated homosexuality’. I’m actually surprised at the hubub over it, since Nigeria’s laws are far more wide-ranging.

[Argus]

How is it Obama’s business to meddle in Uganda’s internal affairs?

[melsec]

What is “aggravated homosexuality” - if it means homosexuality by force or by enticement (i.e to an underage person) then it that is far different than what the lefties are saying the law is happening.

Mel

[fwdude]

True, the new law just enhances the penalty.

But the homofascists need a “bully,” and the smaller the county, the better.

[Viennacon]

As far as I can tell, aggrevated homosexuality includes one of three things.

1) Engaging in sodomy with a minor (anyone under 18 years old)

2) Engaging in sodomy with the mentally handicapped

3) Engaging in sodomy where one or both participants are infected with HIV.

So, when you look at that, you can only conclude the people protesting this law are either child sex predators, disease spreaders, or those looking to prey upon the infirm. Kind of sick.

[Viennacon]

It’s hard to see any other justification for going after Uganda so viciously, other than it is a poor country that relies on foreign aid, so they think it can be easily targeted. Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, and India... not so much.

So much for the anti-colonial, ‘compassionate’ left

[informavoracious]

So much for cultural autonomy.

[melsec]

Thanks so much for that. It clarifies a lot!

Mel

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

"Obama has urged Museveni not to sign the bill, saying doing so would “complicate” the east African country’s relationship with Washington."

That would be enough to get me to sign it.

[Beowulf9]

Obama pledges $7 billion to upgrade power in Africa

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/30/world/africa/south-africa-obama-pledge/

[Conscience of a Conservative]

As far as I can tell, aggrevated homosexuality includes one of three things.

1) Engaging in sodomy with a minor (anyone under 18 years old)

2) Engaging in sodomy with the mentally handicapped

3) Engaging in sodomy where one or both participants are infected with HIV.

So, when you look at that, you can only conclude the people protesting this law are either child sex predators, disease spreaders, or those looking to prey upon the infirm. Kind of sick.

You missed a pretty big one: the law also defines "aggravated homosexuality" to include "serial offenders" - e.g., anyone with a prior conviction. So, any second offense carries with it a life sentence.