Beautiful Cynicism III

Even amidst all the hatred, fear, and misunderstanding that exists in the world, Uganda’s proposed so-called anti-homosexuality bill is shocking. Even to those who peddle hate and deal in discrimination can’t bring themselves to endorse such legislation. Even to the jaded and the cynical, the bill’s language is incredible.

Uganda’s proposed legislation calls for:
- lifetime imprisonment if “convicted” of homosexual behaviour
- a new category of assault called “aggreviated homosexuality” if one partner is HIV-positive
- mandatory HIV testing
- a ban on LGBT bloggers expressing their opinions (considered “promoting homosexuality”)
- advocacy on behalf of LGBT groups; activism in this area would carry penalties of fines and 7 years’ imprisonment
- a duty to report suspected homosexual behaviour; one would face fines and up to 3 years’ imprisonment if one fails to report homosexual behaviour within 24 hours of discovering/witnessing it
- a ban on all same-sex relationships, including those entered into outside of Uganda by a Ugandan citizen; penalty would be lifetime imprisonment
- extradition of Ugandan citizens abroad who are involved in a same-sex relationship, to face relevant penalties in Uganda
- two new assault categories: “attempted homosexuality” where one person can claim to be a “victim” of homosexual behaviour; this is upped to the new category of “aggravated attempted homosexuality” if one partner is HIV-positive
- an explicit ban on same-sex marriage, including for Ugandan citizens living abroad in countries where same-sex marriage is legal
- creation of new charges of “aiding and abetting homosexuality” and “conspiracy to engage in homosexuality”, each carrying penalties of 7 years’ imprisonment
- ban on operating a brothel; penalty is 7 years’ imprisonment

It almost sounds comical; like a pathetic spoof of criminal law. Yet it’s unfortunately so very real…