A English-language newspaper in Uganda has published a list of the country's 100 'top' homosexuals with the headline 'hang them'.
The Oct 9 article, which included photos, full names and addresses, was published by a newspaper called Rolling Stone (not linked to the American magazine of the same name) came out five days before the one-year anniversary of the controversial proposed “kill the gays” bill.
The proposed bill, which has attracted international outrage since it was announced last year, would impose prison terms for Ugandans who fail to report a homosexual within 24 hours, and the death sentence for homosexuals who had sex with a person under 18, who is HIV-positive and had sex, had gay sex with a disabled person or being classified as a "serial offender" – that is, someone who has gay sex more than once.
David Bahati, the lawmaker sponsoring the bill, was quoted by investigative journalist Jeff Sharlet – in an article in the September 2010 edition of Harper's Magazine – as saying that his objective is "to kill every last gay person."
According to the Associated Press, since the publication of the list, four men have been attacked and many have gone into hiding in fear of their lives. One person had stones thrown at their house by neighbours.
The report also quoted Frank Mugisha, the chairman of Sexual Minorities Uganda, as saying that more than 20 homosexuals have been attacked over the last year in Uganda, and an additional 17 have been arrested and are in prison.
He said those numbers are up from the same period two years ago, when about 10 homosexuals were attacked aftersince the proposed bill was announced.
Giles Muhame, the paper's managing editor,said the article was "in the public interest."
"We felt there was need for society to know that such characters exist amongst them. Some of them recruit young children into homosexuality, which is bad and need to be exposed," he said. "They take advantage of poverty to recruit Ugandans. In brief we did so because homosexuality is illegal, unacceptable and insults our traditional lifestyle.'
Following worldwide condemnation, the bill is said to have been quietly shelved although not completely dropped.
Printable Version
RSS Feed: 
Reader's Comments
Oh well, at least the gay content wasn't censored.
State House Nakasero
P.O.Box 25497, Kampala
Tel: 256-41-231900
Fax: 256-41-346 102
E-mail: info@statehouse.go.ug
President's Office Hotline
Tel: 256-41-343 311
Fax: 256-41-346 102
Email: aak@statehouse.go.ug
Minister of the Presidency
Parliamentary building
P.O. Box 7168
Tel. +256-414-256956
StateHouse Comptroller
P.O.Box 25497
Kampala
Fax: 256-414-235462
Email: shc@statehouse.go.ug
PPS/H.E
P.O.Box 25497
Kampala
Tel:+256-414-343311
Email: pps@statehouse.go.ug
PPS/H.E VP
Parliamentary Building 3rd Floor.
P.O. Box 7359
Kampala
Tel. +256-414-3475972
Email ppsvp@statehouse.go.ug
Press Secretary to the President
P.O.Box 25497
Tel: 256-41-343 320
E-mail: press@statehouse.go.ug
Press secretary to the vice President
P.O.Box 7359
Email: vppu@statehouse.go.ug
Webmaster
Tel. +256-414-236850
Email: admin@statehouse.go.ug
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11490.html/
Cyber views from one extreme to justify another;
"Once a Barbarian, always a Barbarian. Slavery was the best thing that happened to them- a backward nation of darkness brought to some light. "
Hmm....I wonder.
Fascist regimes all over the world do it... its either the Jews or the gays ... or both
If you stop to take stock of what they are doing, this is a VERY REAL eg of what Christian Fundamentalism gone rabid can morph into; and where PREJUDICE & IGNORANCE can lead a country into.
I think the Ugandan Crazies are doing themselves and their Cause (worldwide) a great disservice, by reacting in such a visceral, primitive & Hitler-like manner.
Unfortunately, if history is anything to go by, humans sometimes need these highly controversial & inhuman atrocities to manifest itself, before getting off the fence & realizing the right from the wrong.
I hope that is there is one god , as they pretend, he will afflict them with the worse predicaments . No aid, removal from UN, sanctions, the lot .
you may not have the power to make a change, but who knows probably someone here has... since most of us cant help them physically, at least we are trying to by mentally... its not ugandan's problem anymore, its our problem now... because once uganda starts it, other countries will tend to follow, and greatly affects especially those that are still pending for legalizing gay rights... so shut up! you are not helping anything...
Shame on you.
Why mention it? What *possible* relevance does their skin colour have to their bigotry? That says more about You than it does about Their flaws. If this story was about, say, the Singaporean judiciary system rejecting equality laws for homosexuals, would you call them "yellow bastards"? Somehow, I doubt it. Condemn people for being intolerant bigots - but don't, for Christ's sake, mention their skin colour as part of it.
Back on topic a little, and I'd just like to point out that the pictured newspaper headline makes no sense; the 'leak' on the end is gibberish. I'd delete that if it was on one of my newspapers' front covers at work. Standards, people, standards! (If anyone from the Ugandan 'Rolling Stone' newspaper happens to be reading this, my Subbing rates are perfectly reasonable. Unlike my temperament...!)
I love the movie Almost Famous by the way and always wanted to write for Rolling Stone and have a secret crush on Arjan Writes too, aw music critics and musicians are totally hot and my thing
http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/gay-sex-vs-straight-sex/
So Sad
You should be ashamed of yourself.
And Fridae - there is something wrong with your moderating procedures.
Comments like those of lvlc2405 should NOT be allowed through.
I'LL step up and condemn what you've written. Everyone has the right to their opinion, it's true - however, given the 'social contract' that society operates under, the right to free speech does Not include the right to spout blatantly racist crap.
Proud to stand up here and say that you have the Right to be racist? Pehaps you do. Does that mean that you have the right to be publicly racist? No, it does not. Racism, like bigotry, and a range of other unfortunate traits that an individual may have, is something that, in general, is automatically (and rightfully) assumed to be an individual's right - HOWEVER, unlike the freedom of Religion, or the right to have one's own political views, many societies have laws to punish those who abuse their freedom of speech to speak negatively of others.
In Ireland, you could and would be either fined or jailed, or possibly both, if you were to start talking about sending in the KKK etc. You think it's big and clever to refer to a group that used to hang people simply for the colour of their skin; which burned people alive just for being black? You think that That kind of action should be taken against even Uganda's most blinkered people?
People have fought, and died, and struggled for the right of freedom of speech, and the right to have and say one's own thoughts. But they did Not die for people to be so... hatefully racist, which is particularly ironic considering that, as (presumably, but possibly not) a gay man, there are countries where you Would be executed for being gay. But how very, very convenient, how Easy, to sit in Australia and bleat about 'political correctness' and refer to the KKK, and severely attacking someone.
Whatever about not wishing to meet Some people from Uganda's religious, political and media circles, it's clear that there are plenty of people on Fridae who I also woldn't wish to meet, due to their blatantly offensive views.
There. How'd you like them apples?
"Being gay is a choice"
Which, yet again, rings several alarm bells about who the poster is, and what their real agenda is. Another one of Fridae's infrequent trolls who sooner or later start into the typical "Homosexuals are evil and you are all going to hell" line, hmmmm?
Either way, choice little throwaway phrases like That do much more to undermine the poster's trash-talking than any semi-coherent response like mine...
A) The earlier poster's wholly racist comment about 'black cunts' is entirely inexcusable.
B) However, it's not a patch on the above, shockingly inappropriate comment referring to sending a completely racist group responsible for the deaths of countless ordinary men, women (and also children) simply because of the colour of their skin to Uganda, with the poster also referring to astoundingly offensive acts of violence.
Assuming that YOU have even the faintest pretence of a conscience, and don't just say that you're against racism (but, y'know, you can't be bothered just to press a few buttons Here when you see someone acting like that), I'd urge You to also report those two comments above for moderation/deletion.
Fridae can not, MUST not allow either comment to stay, or it will be condoning both blatant racism AND racist-fuelled violence. And, I don't know about you, but for a site comprising many races in a variety of countries and cultures, but that's Not the site that I signed up to.
Fridae - it's your move...
Jun 23, 2009
Kampala — Uganda's wild animals, cultural heritage and its beautiful scenery are increasingly becoming a lucrative source of foreign exchange income for the country.
Thousands of Ugandans are directly and indirectly involved in a chain of supportive economic activities like guiding, transport, arts and craft making, accommodation and catering.
Last year, the Uganda Wildlife Authority reported, the economy drew Shs1.2 trillion ($560 million) from the tourism sector, placing it in a new league of Uganda's leading top income earners alongside, remittances from Ugandans working abroad, coffee and fish exports. The amount was realised from a total of 844,000 tourists who visited Uganda during the year.
CAN YOU WRITE OR EMAIL YOUR EMBASSY THERE? OF COURSE!
Embassies and Consulates of Uganda in The World
Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Chwa 11 Road Mbuya Hill
P.O. BOX: 7177 Kampala Uganda
Phones: (+256) 41-505619
Fax: (+256) 41-221774
Belgium in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Rwenzori House (3rd floor) Lumumba Avenue, plot 1
P.O. BOX: PO Box 7043 Kampala
Phones: + (256) (0)41 349.559/69/70
Fax: + (256) (0)41 347.212
Email: Kampala@diplobel.org
Website: http://www.diplomatie.be/kampala/ [Report Dead Link]
Notes: Emergency number : + (256) (0)77 704.400
British High Commission in Kampala, Uganda
Address: 4 Windsor Loop
P.O. BOX: 7070
Phones: (256) (31) 2312000
Fax: (256) (41) 4257304
Email: bhcinfo@starcom.co.ug
Website: http://ukinuganda.fco.gov.uk/en/ [Report Dead Link]
Consulate of Canada in Kampala, Uganda
Address: IPS Building, Plot 14, Parliament Avenue
P.O. BOX: 20115 Kampala, Uganda
Phones: (011 256 41) 258 141
Fax: (011 256 41) 349 484
Email: canada.consulate@utlonline.co.ug
Consulate of Switzerland in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: ROKO Technical Services Roko Town Centre Nasser Lane, Plot 1-27 Kampala, Uganda.
P.O. BOX: 172 Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: 00256 41 347 130 / 00256 41 347 132
Fax: 00256 41 347 131
Email: swissconsulateug@roko.co.ug
Embassy of Algeria in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Pmpt 14 Acacia Avenue Kololo. Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: (256) 41 232 689 / (256) 41 232 918
Fax: (256) 41 34 10 15
Email: ambalgka@imul.com
Embassy of China in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 37, MALCOLM X AVENUE, KOLOLO, KAMPALA, UGANDA
P.O. BOX: 4106, KAMPALA, UGANDA
Phones: 00256-41-2-259881(Administrative Office) / 00256-41-2-236895 (Consular Office)
Fax: 00256-41-2-235087
Email: chinaemb_ug@mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://ug.chineseembassy.org [Report Dead Link]
Embassy of Cuba in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Lower Kololo Terrace, Plot 16, Kampala, Uganda.
P.O. BOX: 9226, Kampala
Phones: (256-41) 23 3742
Fax: (256-41) 23 3320
Email: ecuba@africaonline.co.ug
Website: http://emba.cubaminrex.cu/Default.aspx?tabid=287 ... [Report Dead Link]
Embassy of Djibouti in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 14-18, cooper road Kisementi, Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: (256) 041- 346459
Fax: (365) 041-269640
Email: engmajyambere@yahoo.co.uk
Embassy of Egypt in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 33 KOLOLO HILL DRIVE KAMPALA
P.O. BOX: 4280 KAMPALA
Phones: (256-41) 254525 / (256-41) 345152
Fax: (256 41) 232103
Embassy of Ethiopia in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Off Kira Road, Plot No. 3L, Kampala
P.O. BOX: 7745, Kampala
Phones: +256-41-341881 / +256-41-348340
Fax: +256-41-341885
Email: ethiokam@starcom.co.ug
Embassy of Germany in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 15 Philip Road, Kololo, Kampala.
P.O. BOX: 7016, Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: (00256 41) 50 11 11
Fax: (00256 41) 50 11 15
Email: germemb@africaonline.co.ug
Website: http://www.kampala.diplo.de [Report Dead Link]
Embassy of Ireland in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 25 Yusuf Lule Road
P.O. BOX: 7791 Kampala
Phones: + 256 41 340 400
Fax: + 256 41 344 353
Email: kampalaembassy@dfa.ie
Embassy of Italy in Kampala, Uganda.
Website: http://www.ambkampala.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Kampa ... [Report Dead Link]
Embassy of Japan in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 8, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero, Kampala, Uganda.
P.O. BOX: 23553, Kampala, Uganda
Phones: (256-41)349-542 / (256-41)349-544
Fax: (256-41)349-547
Embassy of Norway in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 8A John Babiiha Avenue, Kololo.
P.O. BOX: 22770, Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: +256 41 343621 / +256 41 346733
Fax: +256 41 343936
Email: emb.kampala@mfa.no
Website: http://www.norway.go.ug/ [Report Dead Link]
Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 7 Kololo Hill Dr.
P.O. BOX: 7274, Kampala
Phones: + 256 + 41 +983 / + 256 + 41 +984
Telex: 973/09SS
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kampala, Uganda.
P.O. BOX: 7022, 28 Malcom X Avenue, Kampala, Uganda
Phones: +256 41 233-676
Fax: +256 41 345-798
Telex: (988) 61518 SOVPOS UG
Email: russemb@imul.com
Embassy of the United States of America in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 1577 Ggaba Road
P.O. BOX: 7007, Kampala Uganda.
Phones: 041 25 97 91 / 041 25 97 95
Fax: 041 25 97 94
Email: kampalawebcontact@state.gov
Website: http://kampala.usembassy.gov/ [Report Dead Link]
French Consulate Section in Kampala, Uganda
Address: Lumumba Avenue plot 16 - Nakasero - PO box 7212 - Kampala
Phones: [256] (41) 43 42 120 / 43 42 176 / 43 42 344
Fax: [256] (41) 43 41 252
Email: consulat.kampala-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: http://www.ambafrance-ug.org [Report Dead Link]
French Embassy in Kampala, Uganda
Address: Lumumba Avenue plot 16 - Nakasero - PO box 7212 - Kampala
Phones: [256] (41) 43 42 120 / 43 42 176 / 43 42 344
Fax: [256] (41) 43 41 252
Email: ambafrance.kampala@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: http://www.ambafrance-ug.org [Report Dead Link]
High Commission of India in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 11, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero
P.O. BOX: 7040 Kampala, Uganda
Phones: 00-256-41-257368 / 00-256-41-344631
Fax: 00-256-41-254943
Email: hoc@hicomindkampala.org
High Commission of Tanzania in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 6 Kagera Road
P.O. BOX: 5750 Kampala. Uganda.
Phones: +256 41 256272 / +256 41 342306
Fax: +256 41 343973
Telex: +256 41 61062
Email: tzrepkla@imul.com
Honorary Consulate General of The Seychelles in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Kampala Associated Advocates, 5th Floor Worker's House, Plot 1 Pilkington Road.
P.O. BOX: 9566, Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: (+256 41) 34 41 23 / (+256 41) 23 16 92
Fax: (+256 41) 34 99 54
Email: ekaruhanga@kaadvocates.co.ug
Honorary Consulate of Austria in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 6, Hill Lane, Kololo, Kampala
P.O. BOX: 11273, Kampala
Phones: (+256/41) 23 57 96
Fax: (+256/41) 23 57 96
Telex: (+256/41) 62163
Email: wipfler@infocom.co.ug
Honorary Consulate of Greece in Kampala, Uganda.
P.O. BOX: 27198, Kampala, Uganda
Phones: (+25641) 286961
Fax: (+25641) 286960
Honorary Consulate of Indonesia in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Grams Casaments, Kampala, Uganda
P.O. BOX: 4641
Phones: (256) 234-000 / (256) 234-001
Fax: (256) 234-301
Email: indonesia.uganda@alam_group.com
Honorary Consulate Of Pakistan in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Katatumba Suites, Plot 2 Colville Street
P.O. BOX: 6968, Kampala, Uganda
Phones: (+256-414) 342913 / (+256-414) 342736
Fax: (+256-414) 255288
Email: pakconsuluga@hotmail.com
Honorary Consulate of Poland in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Plot 6-8, Parliamentary Avenue, P.O. Box 7103, Kampala, Uganda
Phones: (00-256-41) 34-60-48
Fax: (00-256-41) 34-12-47
Email: ekamuntu@mtti.go.ug
Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: 33, Nakasero Road, Kampala, Uganda.
P.O. BOX: 4338, Kampala, Uganda.
Phones: + 256 + 41 + 233691 / + 256 + 41 + 233692
Royal Danish Embassy in Kampala, Uganda
Address: Plot 3, Lumumba Avenue
P.O. BOX: 11243 Kampala
Phones: +256 (0) 31 263 211
Fax: +256 (0) 31 264 624
Email: kmtamb@um.dk
Website: http://www.ambkampala.um.dk/en [Report Dead Link]
Royal Danish Embassy in Kampala, Uganda
Address: Plot 3, Lumumba Avenue
P.O. BOX: 11243 Kampala
Phones: +256 (0) 31 263 211
Fax: +256 (0) 31 264 624
Email: kmtamb@um.dk
Website: http://www.ambkampala.um.dk/en [Report Dead Link]
Royal Netherlands Embassy in Kampala, Uganda.
Address: Nakasero Road Plot 2 Kampala.
P.O. BOX: 7728 Kampala
Phones: + 256 41 346000
Fax: + 256 41 231861
Email: kam@minbuza.nl
Its interesting to know that even amongst a so-called sympathetic audience like the Fridae membership, prejudices abound (including 'the right to be racist'). Therefore, I dont think the moderators should censor racist, bigoted comments - just to remind ourselves that we, as a collective whole, have a few warts on our body politic.
Besides such dicussions help me eliminate 'friends' on Fridae.
Who made Me the Judge, Jury and Executioner? Nobody... And I certainly don't prowl around, trying to find faults with others, when I have plenty myself. But, if I notice something as simply, awfully Wrong as *those* comments were, before being deleted, I would be... well, my conscience couldn't ignore them, if I could do something to remove them.
I really hate censorship a lot - but I don't mind invoking it when someone else is being as racist and offensive as Those posts had been. Anyway, good, they're gone; I'll shut up now...
What kind of sick perverted piece of scum can one be to make light over such a grave issue in Uganda. Everyone familiar with Fridae already knows you are one of the perpetual shameless trashy C.U.N.T with multiple profiles that can't understand what is meant over what is written. Expected. But your crossed the line.
Perhaps you need to eat some native medicated poo poo to stop your idiotic menstruation. Zzz.
PS: I'm responding as part of my charity with MAC's annual benefit with Rolling Stones to rid the world of discrimination and brain dead bimbos like you. How's the poo poo? Hope it works to add your name to a new list of trash that deserves to be eliminated. Stay dead-Uganda needs the numbers!
i would suggest having a look in your own back yard
in case you hadnt noticed ENGLAND as a country is not doing much better than uganda , overrun with unemployed immigrants , and slappers in housing estates
so please keep your opinions of me to yourself ,
first of all i am not a racist person
is he or is he not black
was or was not his behavour that of a c _ _ t
and VERCODA get a life ,
seems you have way to much time on your hands
maybe fridae can start a 100 top gay haters to hang list ,
can we take votes for that
As to whether you consider yourself a racist or not...I have no idea.
What I Do know, though, is that your post contained vile racist language.
by News Editor
An Ugandan newspaper has published a front-page story with a list of the "Top 100 Homos" and a banner recommending the men be hanged.
"IS HITLER STILL ALIVE":
The world press should respectfully react by publishing the photographs of ALL the top decisions makers, industry leaders and so on, irrespective of colour or creed.
Look what Hitler did never mind others like him and the world stood and continues to stand still.
Tolerance and understanding is all about communication and respect - we live in global community.
To international newspaper publishers and others, if you champion the issues with informed and constructive editorial, your circulation and profits will rocket - then you can make a charitable donation !
That's why Brand Owners employ international PR agencies .. its all about how you package a global message.
Come on FRIDAE ... u have the most amazing voice, database and more .. LEAD the way .. !
Comment Source: a HUMAN being
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolitics%2FGOP-challenges-Pelosi-in-deep-blue-San-Francisco-1293244-105478378.html&h=d8a84
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolitics%2FGOP-challenges-Pelosi-in-deep-blue-San-Francisco-1293244-105478378.html&h=d8a84
is that mean they are killing human species
The fact is, *every* single person *everywhere* is a 'foreigner'; an alien; a non-national; 'not one of us'. The guy sitting in Country A complaining about foreigners is one himself to everyone else in countries B, C, D, E, F, G...
And, secondly, there is virtually no context in which one can mention or use someone else's skin colour in general commentary without there being an underlying racist tone. It's a descriptive word, yet has an added 'weight' that ensures that it is not used without good reason. As an example, would you say: "This is my friend, Steve" OR would you say: "This is my black friend, Steve"? How about: "This is my white friend?" "This is my asian friend?" Etc? At which point does the use of someone's skin colour become acceptable, and relevant?
If it's highly questionable to use someone's race or skin colour in a neutral, and even positive manner, then you can be absolutely certain that, when making a negatively critical point about someone, it becomes even less advised to do so - and, as we've seen, easily jumps over the line in racism.
Too much time on my hands? I don't have *enough*, when faced with that kind of language, or the unfair, inexcusable and irrelevant useage of someone's skin colour to make a point. To use a famous phrase in Ireland: "Down with that sort of thing! (Careful now.)"
There's nothing like the stiff breeze of education to blow away the cobwebs around religion, and to reveal it for the 'smoke and mirrors' it really is. We with access to a free press have recently seen the Catholic Church stripped of its immunity, to expose the pedophiles and fathers in its ranks, but I can guarantee that no newspaper in Uganda has covered any of these stories.
The danger facing us is that as less people in the West attend church every Sunday, these African bishops have a growing influence in Europe, which in turn lends respectability (in the eyes of their parishoners) to their outrageous views. It is only a question of time before we have an African Pope, who will make John Paul XXL and Josefine Rotweiller seem like gay-hugging liberals.
is ther any GOD that say ...kill itch other?judge itch other?dont let the happy one to be happy?
sir ...there is no human who can judge the other one...we will all be judge a bit laiter and i m prety sure you will be there to...curios to see what GOD will have to say about you taking a seat in HE;S "CHAIR" and doing this kinda a decisions and judgements...
BELSS YOU SIR...BLESS YOU
Or how bout a day of rounding up all the fags and putting those machetes to work chopping them up? Now baby ... that's the Uganda we know. Work on getting the poor buggers out. Leave the rest of them right where they are and don't ask me to help feed them.
Who, by the way, I - or any others who may have taken offence at what has been said here - cannot force to remove comments and content above. If any comments have been deleted above, it is because, upon investigation, they were found to be actionable, and not simply because of complaints.
Incidentally, my comments above about the intolerable and overt racism and xenophobia contained within this thread still stand; if some posters think that it is perfectly fine to be racist here, on a site that comprises many races, that is indeed their right. It is, however, still also the right of others to take offence at such language, and implied acts of violence, and to complain - one doesn't have to be a "bleeding heart do-gooder" to find racism to be both wrong and objectionable.
Carry on making your racist comments here on Fridae, if you so strongly wish to avail of that right; however, 'the likes of me' (and others above, I note) will continue to find them objectionable, and continue to complain, if so noted...
The harsh realities of life in Africa lead to a more severe interpretation of the Biblical texts. Take a generous dose of fundamental Christianity, add a few heaped spoons of the Old Testament with a sprinkling of Islam, and there you have the typical African Church. Add to that the fear of 'traditional healers' (aka 'witch doctors'), many of whom are gay, and you have a potent homophobic brew. Isolating the country through sanctions will only concentrate this. The internet can cut through cultural barriers, so let's use it positively.
As it is, the Asian version of Freedom of Speech is you can say whatever you like so long as I agree with it.
Freedom of speech is ABSOLUTE... there are no 'yes, buts'
One would hope that Fridae as the representative of a discriminated society would have the courage to let every comment stand... no matter how diabolically awful those comments might be
Its only by listening to the other half rant and rave that we are able to learn about the rest of the world and learn how to counter their arguments
The Freedom of Speech comes with a caveat: Yes, one MAY always say as one wishes - however, that does not always mean that one should, as the 'social contract' of society in most countries is not a free run at being wilfully, provocatively offensive. Yes, countless people have died for the right of freedom of speech, which is a very powerful right - But, as you personalised taht comment, I also have MY right to find various comments objectionable, and to call for them to be removed.
Example: If someone was here, typing: "Hang all fags!", would people rush to say: Ah, but as offensive as that is, it is his right to the freedom of speech to express such things? If Fridae's forums were over-run with such comments, would everyone just sit around saying: Well, I don't like seeing these things, but I will respect the right for someone to say them? Somehow, I doubt it.
All I, or anyone else, can do is to act by MY values and beliefs, based on how I was brought up, and what I, individually, believe to be right and wrong. I guess it is a failing and a flaw of mine, in a sense, to be unable to stand up for and defend those who wish to be racist etc; I can't shake the belief that This kind of behaviour is wrong, and that if I don't condemn it, and try to stop such behaviour, well... my conscience says that I would be wrong, and complicit, to sit by and do nothing.
Just as, for example, I won't let someone shout at my friend in the street (as has happened) "Fuck off, you chinese faggot!" - which Was that asshole's freedom and right of expression at work, but which I immediately waded in on - I can't just ignore the comments above.
I won't.
Personally i think we all know what you meant, and we know that you are a free man... An advice would be great, dont you think "teaching" other people is a little too serious? And sometimes some things, you just have to say it once or twice, too extreme of a good thing is not good... That is why we have the likes and dislikes of our teachers in school, why? Because the words they used are too extreme... Lets focus back on the topic ok?
1. "Freedom of speech is ABSOLUTE... there are no 'yes, buts'."
I suspect that you subscribe to very American notions of freedom of speech, or you may be an American yourself. I personally don't find the American arguments for freedom of speech to be wanting in any way. However, it is only theory and doesn't translate well into the reality it had intended.
Freedom of speech an absolute? I think not, if that freedom of speech includes words - sometimes followed up in action - that fit into legal definitions of crime; no one has a legal right for harm to befall others, and by harm, I include emotional and psychological harm. That's the type of harm caused by racism, xenophobia, etc.
And homophobia.
When you say:
"Its only by listening to the other half rant and rave that we are able to learn about the rest of the world and learn how to counter their arguments."
I actually agree with you. But only up to the point that it makes for good theory.
In practise, groups that fall into the category of "vulnerable" rarely make up the "half" of society that you have erroneously referred vulnerable groups to as constituting. It's probably why those with well-honed predatory insticts find it easier to pick on such groups. (This does not preclude the existence of "privileged minorities, though. Vulnerable groups are usually outnumbered, only the first evidence that no level playing field exists for them in this great exercise of American-style freedom of speech.
Then there are other factors:
1. The not infrequent lack of capacity in those very groups to defend themselves against racist attacks, to take just one example.
2. The equally lacking capacity of dominant groups to come forward in defence of those who come under such attacks, a lack of capacity that is characterized by the lack of willingness to do so.
All in all, the ability to 'learn how to counter their arguments' never occurs proportionate to the amount of racism (again, just as an example) that we fight tooth and nail to defend under the guise of freedom of speech.
Most of all, the original intent of freedom of speech was as a problem solving tool.
How does wilful racism help to solve problems?
As far as Uganda...it is after all the nation with colonial help which gave Idi Amin to the world...the notorious butcher and war crimes criminal of Africa.
As far as Uganda...it is after all the nation with colonial help which gave Idi Amin to the world...the notorious butcher and war crimes criminal of Africa.
It's not because Ugandans are black, or primitive, or backward, or whatever racist crap some people want to peddle above ... it's good ol' western imperialism gone wrong. Again.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/us-fundamentalist-group-heart-ugandas-anti-gay-law
http://republic-of-gilead.blogspot.com/2010/09/american-evangelicals-and-ugandas-anti.html
and so on.
Spot on!
Please log in to use this feature.