Prominent Ugandan LGBT advocate seeks asylum in U.S.

[DonViejo]

A prominent Ugandan LGBT rights advocate on Tuesday applied for asylum in the U.S.

John Abdallah Wambere of Spectrum Uganda, an LGBT advocacy group, told reporters during an emotional Boston press conference that he is seeking refuge in the U.S. because of the additional persecution he said he would face in his homeland as a result of the so-called Anti-Homosexuality Bill that President Yoweri Museveni signed into law earlier this year.

Wambere, 41, said he arrived in the U.S. three days before Museveni signed the measure that imposes a life sentence upon anyone convicted of repeated same-sex sexual acts.

He is believed to be the first Ugandan LGBT rights advocate to seek asylum in the U.S. since the measure took effect in February.

- See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/05/06/prominent-ugandan-lgbt-advocate-seeks-asylum-u-s/?

[msanthrope]

1. Does he have a court date yet? I am assuming his visa is expiring, and he is filing an asylum

petition?

[DonViejo]

2. There isn't any information in the article about

a court date but, he is being represented by a very excellent legal team from GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders). GLAD represented my partner and I in a successful case against then Governor Michael Dukakis and the Commonwealth of Mass in the late 80's.

[Supersedeas]

3. the clock is ticking in Africa

[Behind the Aegis]

4. kick for more reads

[Cha]

5. Best wishes for John Abdallah Wambere.. mahalo DonViejo~

[BainsBane]

6. I heard about this yesterday on The World

on public radio. What a gut-wrenching story. He has had to live in hiding, not only from the wider population but his own family. I hope the govt process his asylum quickly.

Here is the link to the PRI story: http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-05-07/gay-rights-activist-going-home-uganda-isnt-option