Uganda Archbishop Responds to Welby on Anti-gay Laws

BBC: The head of the Anglican Church in Uganda has given a critical response to a letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York warning that gays and lesbians should not be victimised.

Their letter was sent to all presiding archbishops of the Anglican Communion.

It was also sent to the presidents of Uganda and Nigeria, which have recently introduced anti-gay legislation.

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali responded that "homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture".

He said he hoped the Church of England would "step back from the path" it had set itself on "so the Church of Uganda will be able to maintain communion with our own Mother Church".

In the letter, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said they were responding to questions asked about the Church of England's attitude to laws penalising "people with same-sex attraction".

Homosexuals were loved and valued by God and deserved the "best pastoral care and friendship", they said. » | Friday, January 31, 2014

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Archbishops Criticise Nigerian and Ugandan Anti-gay Laws

Archbishop Welby is on a five-day tour of four African countries

BBC: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalising gay people.

The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimised or diminished.

Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.

The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York said the letter was a result of "questions about the Church of England's attitude to new legislation in several countries that penalises people with same-sex attraction".

The letter comes as Archbishop Welby starts a five-day tour of four African countries. » | Thursday, January 30, 2014

Russian Parents’ Group Demand Ban on Elton John for 'Supporting Sodomites'

THE INDEPENDENT: A Russian parents’ committee has asked President Vladimir Putin to cancel a planned concert by gay musician Elton John, saying he intended to violate a ban on “homosexual propaganda”.

In an open letter to Putin, the local parents’ group in the central Ural region was reported as saying: “The singer intends to come out in support of local sodomites and break the current Russian law, directed at protecting children.” » | Thomas Grove | Tuesday. September 24, 2013

Russian Anti-gay Law Prompts Rise in Homophobic Violence

THE GUARDIAN: Activists say legislation outlawing 'homosexual propaganda' has emboldened rightwing groups to step up attacks on gay people

Russia has experienced an upsurge in homophobic vigilantism following the introduction of legislation outlawing "homosexual propaganda" in June, gay and lesbian groups say.

The new laws, which have cast a shadow over the Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi early next year, ban the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relations" among minors.

Activists say the legislation has emboldened rightwing groups who use social media to "ambush" gay people, luring them to meetings and then humiliating them on camera – sometimes pouring urine on them. These groups often act against gay teenagers, several of whom told the Guardian that rising homophobia and vigilante activity force them to lead lives of secrecy.

The Russian LGBT Network said the harassment of gay people was being organised nationally for the first time through groups known as Occupy Gerontophilia and Occupy Paedophilia, who claim to be trying to "reform" homosexuals. » | Alec Luhn in Moscow | Sunday, September 01, 2013

Is It Dangerous to Be Gay in Russia?

The situation concerning gay rights in Russia's been making headlines around the world and sparking huge debate among activists, politicians and even atheletes. A new law prohibiting gay propaganda to minors has sparked calls for a boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi in February next year. To discuss gay rights in Russia RT has a panel of guests. Nikolay Alekseev, Russian gay activist and former head of Moscow Pride, RT's culture expert Martyn Andrews, RT's Anissa Naoui, who's been closely following the debates, and from London - Human rights activist Peter Tatchell.

Ban for a Ban: Should Gay Propaganda Law Be Addressed via Sochi Boycott?

The Olympic flame is set to light up Sochi in several months, but as the final touches are being added to the venues, calls to boycott the Winter Olympics are becoming louder in some European countries & across the Atlantic too. The reason is not connected with sport though, but with a ban on homosexual propaganda to minors, recently adopted by Russia lawmakers. RT invited a panel of guests for a broad discussion on the matter.

'As a Gay Man, I Must Decline' - Prison Break Actor Wentworth Miller Refuses Invitation to Russia over Anti-gay Laws

THE INDEPENDENT: Prison Break star Wentworth Miller has published a strongly worded letter declining an invitation to attend a Russian film festival in light of the country’s new anti-gay laws.

The actor, 41, who confirmed that he is gay publicly for the first time via the letter, turned down an offer to be a “guest of honour” at the St. Petersburg International Film Festival.

He wrote: "Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes. However, as a gay man, I must decline."

"The situation is in no way acceptable," he wrote, adding: "I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly."

Miller stated that he was "deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government.” » | Matilda Battersby | Thursday, August 22, 2013

Open Mic: Russia’s Anti-Gay Legislation

West's Warped Vision of Russian Gay Life Leads to 'Crackdown' Cries & Vodka Waste

Russian vodka down the drain - that's the latest protest move against what's seen in the West as Russia's crackdown on gay rights. Activists in the US and Europe have been outraged at a new law against "propaganda of homosexuals to minors" - a name often shortened by the media to the ominous "Russian anti-gay law". But supporters of the law say it upholds the views of the majority of Russians. RT's Anissa Naouai investigates.

Russian Vodka Boycotted

Stolichnaya website »

An Open Letter from the CEO of Stolichnaya Vodka to the LGBT community »

How Russian Anti-gay Laws Impact Olympics

Russia’s Duma Waves Through Anti-gay Law – by 436 Votes to 0
THE INDEPENDENT: Gay activists attacked and arrested for protesting against bill that will ban ‘homosexual propaganda’ aimed at young people

Gay activists were attacked and then arrested outside Russia’s parliament as lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill that will ban “gay propaganda” aimed at under-18s. The Duma passed the bill, which outlaws the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”, by 436 votes to zero, with one abstention.

The bill will now become law if it is approved by Russia’s upper house of parliament and then signed by President Vladimir Putin, who has already expressed his support for it. The bill is the most criticised element of a series of measures that activists say makes a difficult situation for gay people in Russia even worse. Individuals who violate the law can be fined up to £100, while the penalty for organisations can be up to £20,000. Foreigners found to be promoting gay equality in violation of the law will be arrested and immediately deported. » | Shaun Walker | Moscow | Tuesday, June 11, 2013

THE INDEPENDENT: Russia set to pass strict anti-gay law that could see foreigners deported for 'sexual propaganda': Russia’s parliament will debate a controversial law on Tuesday that could see people arrested for behaviour that is deemed to promote homosexuality. ¶ The bill provides for Russian citizens engaged in the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation” to be fined, while foreigners could be arrested and immediately deported. » | Shaun Walker | Moscow | Monday, June 10, 2013

Anti-gay Protesters Attack Activists in Russia
May 18 - Several gay activists are injured as anti-gay protesters attack them after a gay rights demonstration in Russia's second city, St Petersburg. Sunita Rappai reports.

Archbishop of Canterbury Makes First Public Statement on Uganda's Anti-gay Law
PINK NEWS: The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has made his first public statement on the proposed anti-gay bill passing through Uganda's parliament.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph on Saturday, presumably taken before reports that Uganda would remove the most drastic elements of the bill, Williams said he did not see how any Anglican could support it.

He said: "Overall, the proposed legislation is of shocking severity and I can’t see how it could be supported by any Anglican who is committed to what the Communion has said in recent decades.

“Apart from invoking the death penalty, it makes pastoral care impossible – it seeks to turn pastors into informers.”

He added that the Anglican Church in Uganda opposes the death penalty but added that its archbishop, Henry Orombi, who boycotted the Lambeth Conference last year, “has not taken a position on this bill”.

The private members' bill originally sought to impose the death penalty or life imprisonment on those who have gay sex. After it was condemned by countries such as the UK, US and France, along with human rights groups, the country's minister for ethics and integrity, James Nsaba Buturo, reportedly said a more "refined" set of punishments would be favoured instead of execution. >>> Staff Writer, Pink News | Monday, December 14, 2009

Hillary Clinton Condemns Antigay Uganda Bill
ADVOCATE.COM: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton laid out the Administration's vision for human rights in a wide-ranging speech Monday at Georgetown University and specifically referenced the antigay Uganda bill that would carry a death sentence for committing certain acts of homosexuality.



"We cannot separate our democracy, human rights, and development agendas," Clinton said, "they are mutually reinforcing and united in service of a common purpose - to create a world where all people have the opportunity to fulfill their God-given potential." 



In reference to Uganda, Clinton said, "Governments should be expected to resist the temptation to restrict freedom of expression when criticism arises, and be vigilant in preventing law from becoming an instrument of oppression, as bills like the one under consideration in Uganda to criminalize homosexuality would do. " >>> Advocate.com Editors | Monday, December 14, 2009

Amnesty Calls for Repeal of New Anti-gay Laws in Indonesia
PINK NEWS: Amnesty International has demanded that a new Indonesian bylaw that endorses stoning to death for adultery and caning of up to 100 lashes for homosexuality should be repealed immediately.

The local Islamic Criminal Code was passed by the Aceh Provincial House of Representatives on Monday. 
It forbids a number of acts including alcohol consumption, gambling, intimacy between unmarried couples, adultery and fornication, and homosexuality.

In a statement released today Amnesty International said:

"We are concerned by provisions that criminalize adultery and homosexuality.

"Indonesian authorities must ensure that such provisions are repealed in conformity with international law and standards relating to physical and mental integrity and equality before the law."

The bill caused outcry from human rights groups when it was revealed on Monday.

"The new criminal bylaw flies in the face of international human rights law as well as provisions of the Indonesian constitution," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director.

"Stoning to death is particularly cruel and constitutes torture, which is absolutely forbidden under all circumstances in international law." >>> Staff Writer, Pink News | Friday, September 18, 2009