In response to the debate in Uganda over legislation that would impose criminal penalties on gays and lesbians living in the African nation, Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud, has called on the President to speak out:
If the President wants to start earning the Nobel Peace Prize he is accepting, he can start by speaking out against this outrageous Ugandan law. . . . President Obama’s lack of leadership on international human rights issues is appalling. . . From his refusal to confront the radically anti-gay regime in Iran to his refusal to speak out against this proposed Ugandan law – this President’s silence speaks volumes about his priorities.
While the president has been silent about a bill which, in some versions, has even called for the death penalty or life imprisonment for being gay, two Republican leaders have spoken out. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said she was “deeply saddened and troubled that such blatantly ignorant and hate-filled legislation would see the light of day anywhere in today’s world. It needs to be stopped in its tracks immediately.”
Even Tom Coburn, one of the Senate’s most conservative members has also weighed in:
Over the past two decades, political, religious, and community leaders in Uganda have united to promote a rare, winning strategy against HIV that addresses the unique and common risks of every segment of society. Sadly, some who oppose Uganda’s common sense ABC strategy are using an absurd proposal to execute gays to undermine this coalition and winning strategy. Officials in Uganda should come to their senses and take whatever steps are necessary to withdraw this proposal that will do nothing but harm a winning strategy that is saving lives.
Liberal blogger/activist Michael Petrelis asks that his readers “give the man his due on this matter“. I agree.
And what of the gays in China, I wonder. Do those ChiComm human rights abuses Obama ignores include gays?
Yup, Secretary of state already said that human rights don’t matter.
Why do I feel like I’m in bizzaro world? There was a time not so long ago that it would be the Dems that would come out against this kind of travesty.
We’ve been hearing for a while now from gays on the left, that yes, it is sad what gays in other parts of the world have to go through. But until American gays have full rights of marriage (with no mention of the responsibilities), they have no time to worry about the life and death problems of those gays.
I guess the Democratic party has been listening and has realized that there is no reason for them to waste their time and energy on this issue either.
On the other hand, Republicans and especially conservatives have this thing about human rights, dignity and freedom. So regardless of the sexual orientation, they feel compelled to fight this evil.
Maybe this isn’t bizzaro world, maybe this is exactly what is to be expected.
Gays in Iran – Not interested. Gays in Amsterdam – Not interested. Gays in Uganda- BINGO!!
It all depends on who can be blamed. If it’s radical Islamo-fascists, they’ll be more than happy to throw “fellow gays” under the bus. If you can blame the eeeeeevile Christians, that’s top priority.
It will be interesting if a case arises where Jews can be blamed.
A comment from Tim’s earlier Advocate link:
Nice.
Waiting to see if Timmy answers my question as to whether or not he approves of such a comment.
I doubt it ILC.
HIV gets shared with too many ‘breeders’ and Timmy will find the population’s too old for his dating preferences (i.e. above 18)
Waiting for Tano to applaud the words of the folks on the right…
Funny article about Rachel Maddow being ‘anti-choice’ here