Thousands Attend Pride in Cape Town

South African Wins World Gay Pageant

Gay’s May Not Face Death Penalty in Uganda

Jason Shaw reports

It’s being reported that gay people in Uganda, may not now face the death penalty after president Yoweri Museveni, bowed to international pressure and opposed the new legislation which would have seen gay people face sentenced to hard labour and death.

The Ugandan President told colleagues that the bill is too ‘harsh’ and this week encouraged the ruling National Resistance Movement Party to reverse the death sentence part of the law.

In the proposed bill, there is a section that states “anyone convicted of a homosexual act, which includes touching someone of the same sex with the intent of committing a homosexual act, would face life imprisonment” President Museveni has not made it clear, where he stands on that part of the law yet, although it’s likely he does, given his previous stance on homosexuality.

This bill promotes hatred and fear in the African nation and could seriously set back the strong efforts that have been made in combating HIV/AIDS in the country. Perhaps even halting aid being given to the country and those that suffer with AIDS. It’s a bill that increases the prejudice against homosexuality which is already strong in the country. There are many cases of discrimination, hatred and on occasion mob violence. Being gay in Uganda is difficult and sometimes dangerous, however, the law also has draft provisions that could also mean those Ugandan’s living overseas could be extradited if they engage in homosexual activity.

“The death penalty is likely to be removed,” James Nsaba Buturo, Uganda’s minister of state for ethics and integrity, said in a press release. “The president doesn’t believe in killing gays. I also don’t believe in it. I think gays can be counseled and they stop the bad habit.”

“Although the president is against some parts of the bill, the bill has to stay. It is not allowed in African culture. We have to protect the children in schools who are being recruited into homosexual activities.” claims the ruling party spokeswoman Mary Karoro Okurut, who supports the hateful bill.

Lesbian and gay rights are very limited on the African continental, homosexuality is punishable by death in 3 countries currently (Sudan, Nigeria and Mauritania) and illegal in no less than 38 other nations. South Africa is the most liberal and allows gay marriage.

Portugal Ready to Leagalize Gay Marriage

According to sources, José Sócrates, the Prime Minister of Portugal, has been busy developing a new government after the elections in September. Part of that new government is equality for the country’s LGBT citizens. On October 23, Sócrates stated that legalizing same-sex marriage will be one of the new leadership’s first changes.

According to a post on PortugalGay.pt:

“The measure is part of the official program of the party and according to government sources, the move will be done as soon as the government is complete.” (Complete as in completely formed).

Portuguese lawmakers from all parties are in favor of the move and support marriage equality, leading to the belief the bill will pass with ease.

Portugal has recognizes “de facto unions” for both opposite and same-sex couples since 2001, but much like civil unions, they only grant limited rights to couples, so the lawmakers feel it’s time to even the playing field.

Portugal would become the nineth country to legalize same-sex marriage, joining the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Nepal in offering its LGBT citizens marriage equality.

Gang-Rape Killer of Lesbian Footballer Gets Life

A man was jailed for life today for the murder and gang rape of a lesbian South African international footballer.

Themba Mvubu, 24, from Kwathema, was found guilty of murdering, robbing and being an accessory to the rape of 31-year-old Eudy Simelane.

Activists at the magistrates court in Delmas, Mpumalanga province, hailed the judgment as “extremely important” in drawing attention to cases of murder and so-called “corrective rape” against lesbians in South Africa.

Simelane was one of the first women to live openly as a lesbian in Kwa Thema township, near Johannesburg. A keen footballer since childhood, she played for the South African women’s team and worked as a coach and referee. She hoped to serve as a line official in the 2010 men’s World Cup in South Africa.

Read more at: Guardian UK!

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