Friday, December 20, 2013

Gays and black Africans: Ugandan lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved what would be one of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world

Homosexual acts were already illegal in Uganda, but now anyone caught committing this crime twice will be imprisoned for life. The first draft of the law called for the death penalty in such cases, but it was shelved for years amidst international outrage. The bill also makes not reporting homosexuals a crime you could go to jail for. It essentially outlaws gay rights groups as well, making it illegal to promote homosexuality - though many groups were already specifically banned. "This is a victory for Uganda," the lawmaker behind the bill said. "I am glad the parliament has voted against evil." Activists are naturally despairing. "I am officially illegal," one said following the vote.

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