I always wonder what those who hold the view that homosexuality is wrong, a crime against God and nature, want. If it’s really that bad shouldn’t it be punished? It seems to me a binary choice, accept it and hold it to all the rights and obligations of society, or…
The title of this post is from Uganda’s minister of ethics and integrity, as quoted in this important NYTimes story on the role of Americans in Uganda’s anti-gay push. That “push” has resulted in a proposed bill to impose the death sentence for homosexual behavior, though now — bowing to international pressure — they’re apparently backing down to life in prison.
America’s role came in the form of a series of talks by evangelical Christian “experts” over three days on the threat homosexuals pose to Bible-based values and the traditional African family. Audio recordings [download] document what thousands of Ugandan police officers, teachers and politicians heard from the Americans.
Now they want to backtrack?
The three Americans who spoke at the conference — Scott Lively, a missionary who has written several books against homosexuality, including “7 Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child”; Caleb Lee Brundidge, a self-described former gay man who leads “healing seminars”; and Don Schmierer, a board member of Exodus International, whose mission is “mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality” — are now trying to distance themselves from the bill.
“I feel duped,” Mr. Schmierer said, arguing that he had been invited to speak on “parenting skills” for families with gay children. He acknowledged telling audiences how homosexuals could be converted into heterosexuals, but he said he had no idea some Ugandans were contemplating the death penalty for homosexuality.
“That’s horrible, absolutely horrible,” he said. “Some of the nicest people I have ever met are gay people.”
Mr. Lively and Mr. Brundidge have made similar remarks in interviews or statements issued by their organizations. But the Ugandan organizers of the conference admit helping draft the bill, and Mr. Lively has acknowledged meeting with Ugandan lawmakers to discuss it. He even wrote on his blog in March that someone had likened their campaign to “a nuclear bomb against the gay agenda in Uganda.” Later, when confronted with criticism, Mr. Lively said he was very disappointed that the legislation was so harsh.
Love the sinner hate the sin should be exposed for the impossible lie that it is. It’s a cover for hateful bigotry that can reasonably lead to ugly violence. Not that Uganda needs much cover.
Box Turtle Bulletin says the NYTimes’ piece was a long time coming. The NYTimes has a companion piece on the isolation, insults, threats and violence experienced by gay people in Uganda along with four audio interviews with Ugandans — a gay activist, a transman, a cab driver, and an anti-gay politician.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights in Africa are limited in comparison to other areas of the world, with the BBC estimating that homosexuality is outlawed in 38 African countries. In 13 nations homosexuality is either legal or there are no laws pertaining to it. In 3 African countries — Mauritania, Sudan, and northern Nigeria — homosexuality is already punishable by death.
For more discussion, see Memeorandum.
LATER — Latoya Peterson at Jezebel:
The “love the sinner, hate the sin” argument only travels so far, particularly as we have seen the horrible effects of creating “others” — stripping people of their humanity through the words used to describe them. When these people crusade against the LGBTQ communities, they are creating a frightening other, a threat to their lives and children. Schmierer illustrates this willful ignorance beautifully, not daring to use the “some of my best friends” line, but still trying to distance himself from the fire of hatred he’s been stoking.