More on the Ugandan Crisis

Today I received and update from SOULFORCE, a group of Christ driven GLBT's and straights alike who are at the forefront in the battle for human rights as they relate to our GLBT brothers and sisters. For those of you who do not subscribe to this website, here is the update as presented on the Soulforce website just a few moments ago:

Faith Coalition Mourns the Murder of Ugandan Human Rights Activist and Calls for Action

The Board of Directors, Staff of Soulforce and our Volunteers throughout the world are deeply saddened by the loss our friend and colleague, David Kato, who was murdered in his home this

week in Uganda. David was considered the founder of the gay rights movement in Uganda. He was brilliant, direct, courageous and relentless in his pursuit of justice. He found his Soulforce and lived it out to the last moments of his life.

David conducted his work with dignity and complete understanding of the enormous risks to his life. He understood the forces of conservative religion and politics that were in play in Uganda and being fueled by groups like The Family here in the United States.

In the face of all those who would have gender & sexual minorities imprisoned or executed, we must clearly raise our voice. We ask you to add your name to our short, simple call for decriminalization now.

Conservative Christian groups that espouse antigay beliefs have made great headway throughout the African continent and wield considerable influence. Uganda's minister of ethics and integrity, James Nsaba Buturo, who describes himself as a devout Christian, has said, "Homosexuals can forget about human rights." (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/africa/28uganda.html)

As members and friends of Soulforce, we are now compelled to consider our ethical response to David's murder. First, we call upon our colleagues in ministry who have contributed to the rise of homophobia in Uganda and around the world to repent of the kind of preaching and public pronouncement that vilify homosexuality as a sin and that purport to offer "cures" for sexual orientation. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/joel-osteen-on-piers-morg_n_813295.html)

These untruths distort family and community relationships, encourage violence and, when unchecked, result in murder.

Second, we renounce the statement by Uganda's minister of ethics that "homosexuals can forget about human rights" and unequivocally assert that the subjugation, harassment and murder of sexual minorities and women are threats to the national security of the United States and threats to the common security of our world. In our roles within spiritual communities, we see how suffering and denial of the rights of human beings and the instability of nations go hand in hand. As faith leaders and citizens of the United States, we want to encourage the leaders of our nation to use the power of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 and our international treaties to express our national concern about the promulgation of oppression.

David was vigorously fighting the Uganda government in its death march progression toward passage of a bill that will criminalize the lives of all gay people and insist on the death penalty for homosexuals. Known as the "Bahati" bill, it is expected to come before the Ugandan Parliament in the spring of 2011.

Before he was killed, David told the world what he needed in order to push back this madness in Uganda. In an interview in Cambridge last year, he said: "We just need some resources to cause awareness...the dialogue is coming up...some of us I know we are going to die. I know. But at least (change for the better) will begin..."

It is up to us to help supply those resources and to encourage people throughout the world to help us do so. The activists on the ground in Uganda are desperate for financial support to establish safe houses, produce publications for education and to create micro-economies to employ sexual minorities who lose their employment after being outed.

Donations can be made in David's memory to bring more legal and human rights work to Uganda, as well as providing safety and sanctuary for other Ugandans facing persecution athttp://stpaulsfoundation.com/Donate.html.

And, we will continue relentless non-violent resistance to those who are contributing to the oppression of sexual minorities.

As many faith leaders prepare to gather in Washington, DC for the National Prayer Breakfast on February 3rd, we call on our colleagues not attending to gather in silent vigil, outside our churches, synagogues and mosques and in front of Ugandan Embassies in solidarity with David and others who are criminalized for simply being gay. We call on those who will be present to make sure David's life and the senselessness of his murder are remembered in prayer.

We call on all our colleagues to join us in urging President Obama to use his presence at the National Prayer Breakfast to mourn our brother and to express his Administration's position on governments who "fail to protect" their LGBT citizens from faith-based and state-sponsored homophobia. You can add your name by visiting www.soulforce.org/decriminalize

If you wish to join a scheduled vigil, please go to GETEQUAL's Facebook event. Soulforce and other LGBT organizations are co-sponsors of this event."

It is time that those of us who profess to be Christian, renounce our own prejudice, exclusion, discrimination, and bigotry, and accept it as complete and total misinterpretation of scriptural readings. Christ presented us with the 11th commandment, also referred to as the "love" commandment, in which it does not specify who, what, why, where or when to love; it simply admonishes us to love. Those who would lead congregations away from this simple concept, in my opinion, in so doing walk away from Christ and all the HE stands for. Beware these false prophets!

HEED the words of Christ! We each have one part of the puzzle of life contained within our selves. Yield to the rights of humankind to be unique or different without living in fear or being killed for who or what they are! Shame on US Christianity, for we well know better.

Hear me preachers and teachers; ministers and priests; Deans and Bishops, rabbi's and imams, all! Teach your children the way of living with love for our neighbor, understanding for their uniqueness and patience for their differences, or surely we will all perish! Rest in peace David Kato. Another gave His life for you so that you may now give your life for us!

Is it ever going to be too much? Why can't we agree to include all of humanity?

Ugandan gay activist slain after photo published

Jan. 27, 2011 11:32 AM
Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda - A prominent Ugandan gay rights activist whose picture was published by an anti-gay newspaper next to the words "Hang Them" was bludgeoned to death. Police said Thursday his sexual orientation had nothing to do with the killing and that one "robber" had been arrested.

Activists were outraged over the death of David Kato, an advocacy officer for the gay rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda. His slaying comes after a year of stepped up threats against gays in Uganda, where a controversial bill has proposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts.

Kato, who had received multiple threats, was found with serious wounds to his head caused by an attack with a hammer at his home late Wednesday in Uganda's capital, Kampala. Kato later died on the way to the hospital. We are horrified and saddened by the murder of prominent human rights activist David Kato in Uganda yesterday afternoon," Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson posted on Twitter.

Human Rights Watch called for an urgent investigation, saying that Kato's work as a prominent gay rights campaigner had previously seen him face threats to his personal safety.

"David Kato's death is a tragic loss to the human rights community," said Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at HRW. "David had faced the increased threats ... bravely and will be sorely missed."

A Ugandan tabloid newspaper called Rolling Stone listed a number of men they said were homosexuals last year, including Kato. Kato's picture was published on the front page, along with his name and a headline that said "Hang Them."

Kato and two other gay activists sued Rolling Stone over claims that it had violated their constitutional rights to privacy and won the case earlier this month. A judge issued an injunction banning the publication of the identities and personal details of alleged homosexuals.

A police spokesman, Vincent Sekatte, said Kato was killed by robbers who have so far killed more than 10 people in that area in the past two months. He said there was no indication the death was connected to any anti-homosexual sentiment. Kato was hit by a hammer that has been recovered by police, Sekatte said.

Police arrested one suspect, a driver for Kato, Sekatte said. A second suspect is being hunted. That suspect had been hired as a house helper and had recently been released from prison, Sekatte said.

Kato's lawyer told The Associated Press on Thursday that his client had become noticeably more worried about his safety in the wake of the Rolling Stone publication.

"He was conscious that something could happen," said John Francis Onyango.

Family, friends and neighbors gathered to mourn at Kato's house on Thursday. Several women lay on the floor of the living room. The room where he had been killed was closed off by the police. A funeral is planned for Friday.

"I feel very lonely," said John Mulumba Wasswa, Kato's older twin brother. "My brother was a very brave person, very courageous."

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and gay men and women face regular harassment. The controversial bill introduced in 2009 and still before the country's parliament would see the death penalty introduced for certain homosexual acts. The bill prompted international condemnation and hasn't come up for a vote

Human Rights Watch called on the Ugandan government to offer gay people in the country sufficient protection.

In a statement, the group said that witnesses had told police that Kato was hit twice on the head by an unknown assailant who had been spotted entering his property. The assailant was then seen leaving by vehicle, the statement said.

Frank Mugisha, the chairman of Sexual Minorities Uganda, said he has asked religious and political leaders and media outlets to stop demonizing sexual minorities in Uganda.

"Across the entire country, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Ugandans mourn the loss of David, a dear friend, colleague, teacher, family member and human rights defender," said Mugisha.

The introduction of the anti-homosexual bill in 2009 followed a conference in Kampala that was attended by American activists who consider same-gender relationships sinful. The U.S. evangelicals believe gays and lesbians can become heterosexual through prayer and counseling. Some gay Ugandans still resent that American intervention.

"David's death is a result of the hatred planted in Uganda by U.S evangelicals in 2009," said Val Kalende, a Ugandan gay rights activist. "The Ugandan government and the so-called U.S evangelicals must take responsibility for David's blood."

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/27/20110127uganda-gay-activist-killed-after-photo-published.html#ixzz1CHYQ16Pd

About this book you've written

On January 19,2010 a reader posed the following question to me:

So, you've been pushing this book you wrote. I read the excerpt on line and it doesn't mention anything about homosexuality; just rips the Bible. Are you kidding me? Come on! Are you telling me that your book discredits the Bible? If so, explain yourself! Fighting a church is one thing! Attempting to discredit the Bible and therefore Christianity is quite another thing. You want to comment on this?

My response to this question is as follows:

Thank you for addressing this issue with me, Anonymous. I'm glad you are checking out the book and have made your comment.

The excerpt on the Xlibris site is specifically from the first chapter. This book tangles with the question of homosexuality/bible/church/ and faith in two different ways.

First, I deal with the question of Biblical infallibility. It is my opinion, as well as numerous others, that the Bible constitutes a work of man, inspired or otherwise, and therefore, if man is involved, the writing cannot be infallible. I have used several examples to show the anomalies that occur in the Bible, derived from my studies as well as other texts. This in no way detracts from the Biblical validity, but it must be seen as a human work Glorifying God; and not the Word of God, literally. I develop a theory throughout the first 4 chapters detailing how the Bible is read and interpreted by many people, how it relates to viewing homosexuality as a "sin", and how the church has used this interpretation to exclude many from service to Christ within it's framework. This is after all the question that precluded this blog in the beginning. Mine is not to tell you what you must believe; it is to nudge you into thinking about and perhaps viewing your own study of the texts in a different light, and, as one of my readers has pointed out, to stir discussion regarding this topic and how it is applied in every day life.

In the last 4 chapters of the book, I deal specifically with the questions of homosexuality both in context of the church and without. Again, the excerpt provides one very limited passage, and if you read that only, it will not give you the entire message the book has to offer.

My issue with the commonly held interpretation of the Biblical scriptures is that the church historically has tended to be an entity more of exclusion, than of inclusion. We are all too willing to judge, and then try to change (reparative therapy), than to accept as unique the various members of humankind involved in today's dynamic society. It is just way to simplistic to accept the words of Moses and of Paul as "the words of God" and exclude, than to realize that God wants us all to read the works of man, and interpret them to live and be included in the Godly life. My former church family, La Casa de Cristo is, in my opinion, guilty of just this when it relieved one of it's former organists and Choir Directors, and then proceeded to leave ELCA because ELCA chose a path of inclusion. I would argue that Jesus Christ, as our example of Godly Life in the Christian faith, instructed us specifically to "Love one another, as I have loved you.". This is the commandment of love, and doesn't specify who, what, why, where or when to love. It admonishes us to love, and therefore, implies, leaving the judging to God. I don't know about you, Anonymous, but I have enough of my own sins to atone for, rather than spend my time judging you or anyone else. Not to mention the fact that I am not qualified to do so!

I address these and other topics in the book. I have posed the question as to whether homosexuality is a sin. I do not believe that it is. I do believe that Moses and Paul had their reasons for addressing the issue, but Jesus Christ, nowhere, in the 2026 words attributed to Him, spoke to this issue. Interesting is it not? I would argue that promiscuity is the substance of the 7th commandment, much more so than monogamous homosexual relationships.

At any rate, Anonymous, I hope this helps your understanding of what I am speaking to in my book. I'll gladly entertain other questions as well.

Again, folks, for those of you that do not know the book, it is entitled: "What would HE say". It can be found on the Xlibris.com web site.

Thank you Anonymous for your question. Yours in service to Christ, Tom.

Book now available for preordering

My publisher, Xlibris, has made my book on the issues of religion and homosexuality available for pre-ordering. In order to get an idea of what I have written, you may go to www.Xlibris.com. Then go to Bookstore; then search for the title, "What would HE say"? It is the second book listed. There is a brief excerpt to read. I hope to have direct ordering available within the next couple of weeks so that you can use Pay Pal to obtain your copy. Your comments are more than welcome. Yours in service to Christ, Tom.

Even kids know there is something wrong

This morning's Arizona Republic, published this story by Amy B. Wang, regarding a young person's attempts to battle the bullying that GLBT kids have to endure daily. It takes an incredible amount of courage for a person of this age, to strike back at the badgering, bullying, prejudicial, discriminatory, bigotted, and exclusionary behavior that greets the GLBT student each and every day of his/her life. Consider how you would feel, as a young person, having to live in fear for just being you! Here is the article as printed with a link as well:

Phoenix-area teen takes aim at gay bullying

Activist's letters seek changes in schools, warn of lawsuit

by Amy B Wang - Jan. 4, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

A teenage activist has notified officials at every school in Arizona that they need to put a stop to bullying of gay and lesbian students or face a lawsuit.

Caleb Laieski, 15, e-mailed a letter to more than 5,000 school administrators, city-council members and state lawmakers demanding improved measures to fight discrimination.

The letters, sent to school and government officials in early December, state that gay and lesbian youths face more bullying than their heterosexual peers and offer to refer officials to organizations and experts.

The letters warn school officials that they must institute policies specifically prohibiting gay harassment by students, teachers and administrators. Schools that fail to stop bullying will encounter "legal ramifications."

"This is more not to threaten a lawsuit but to put resources out there," said Laieski, founder of Gays and Lesbians United Against Discrimination. "But if they don't want to cooperate, there's going to be consequences."

Laieski has influence as a gay activist.

The Surprise teen founded his organization two years ago, when he was 13 years old. He was successful in spurring a policy change at his school district and drawing national media attention to the group.

Laieski, formerly a student at Willow Canyon High School, said he endured harassment at school and felt district officials should have done more to stop it.

Laieski said he was shoved into lockers and received text messages with anti-gay slurs.

In March, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona offered to represent him in a potential lawsuit against Dysart Unified School District. The district later revised its student handbook to include language prohibiting bullying of gays, lesbians, and bisexual and transgender students.

"Overall, I think they did a great job in adding the protections and a better job enforcing," said Laieski, who is pursuing his high-school-equivalency diploma and plans to attend community college. "Obviously, there's always room for improvement."

After talking to friends in other districts, Laieski said it was important to reach out to every school in Arizona.

His organization is essentially a two-person operation, run by Laieski and a friend, Casey Cameron, 35, of Chicago. In addition to policy changes, the two hope the group can provide more services for gay and lesbian youths, such as counselors and a homeless shelter.

Laieski said his organization is "absolutely" ready to initiate a lawsuit in specific situations: a suicide or attempted suicide because of bullying, expressions of hate from teachers or administrators, and inadequate punishment for bullying.

Laieski said that, in his experience, administrators often fail to dole out punishment for bullying recommended by school handbooks.

"They say, 'Oh, we talked to him. It shouldn't happen again,' " he said. "It's obviously going to become adequate if they at least follow the rule book, and depending on the degree, we can go from there."

The ACLU of Arizona would not comment on whether it would become involved in lawsuits if Laieski's group initiated them.

Bullying is "a very serious problem," said legal director Dan Pochoda, who said he was not aware of the letter campaign.

The letter campaign has netted responses from only a handful of officials, including two districts in the Phoenix area.

Most acknowledged receipt of the letter but did not outline plans to take further steps.

Janis Merrill, an attorney for the Tempe Elementary School District, said in an e-mail to Laieski and Cameron that anti-gay bullying is "simply not tolerated and is appropriately addressed when it is reported to the appropriate district administrator."

One priority is to have school districts specifically address sexual orientation in their anti-bullying policies.

Many school districts adopt their handbook policies and language based on recommendations from the Arizona School Boards Association.

The group's model policies do not specifically address bullying based on sexual orientation, spokeswoman Juliet Martin said.

"Principals are using the language that's in there, which certainly is inclusive of anti-gay (behavior) just as it is of race or religion or anything else," Martin said. "Bullying is bullying, and they're dealing with it in all shapes and forms."

Martin said the association plans to release about a dozen new policy advisories to districts this month.

She said the recommendations would include revised language on bullying, but she would not say whether the changes would specifically address bullying of gays.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2011/01/04/20110104phoenix-teen-gay-bullying.html#ixzz1A6SslCX5

Best wishes go out to this young man, and his attempts to make school a bit safer for his GLBT brothers and sisters.

Yours in service to Christ, Tom