Lesbian activist in Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal

[w8liftinglady]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/02/uganda-gay-rights.html

It’s already illegal to have sex with someone of the same gender in Uganda. For three years, religious activists have prodded the African nation to impose more severe punishments.

Ugandan lawmakers are again debating a bill that would impose lengthy sentences on people for homosexuality, less than a year after shelving a similar proposal that originally called for the death penalty. Gay activists say the country has grown increasingly hostile: Activist David Kato was slain last year after a Ugandan newspaper published his name and photo under the headline "Hang them!"

What is it like to be gay in a country where it's essentially illegal? The Times talked to Jay Abang, 28, a program manager with Freedom and Roam Uganda, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex human rights organization trying to combat the law. Abang is an openly lesbian activist in Kampala.

How have attitudes toward gay people changed in Uganda?

I think it’s getting worse by the day. The community is so ignorant and misinformed. People straightaway think it’s about sex. They don’t think about the person as a human being. It makes it very difficult to change someone’s perception. And they think it’s a choice.

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt