Uganda Discriminates
California brings bright sun and sandy beaches to visit on the occasional weekend outing, but on the other side of the world, some people do not have the option to go out and enjoy themselves. In fact they fear to step beyond their doorstep if they even have one. From day to day people in Uganda who are suspected of homosexuality or identify as homosexual fear being sent to prison or tortured. On February 24, 2014, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act which allows any citizen to take physical action against a human being suspected of being homosexual (Stephenson). In the past months, newspapers have been working with the police to “out” people so that they may be arrested. Over 10 thousand people are being taken into custody and more nations are looking to copy their legislation.
Despite the act condemning people without their consent, many newspapers in Uganda publish articles of offenders with no repercussions. Currently five major newspapers publish these articles showing pictures and locations of people who are suspected to be homosexual. With each article published, the police search for the individual and arrest them. Once taken into custody, they are questioned and often subject to torture until they confess to their crime (Mills). The Ugandan government however denies to acknowledge the support from media and continues to persecute their citizens daily.
Due to this persecution, approximately 20 thousand people have lost their jobs that they have previously owned and are forced to live in slums (Hogan). Here they have no running water and share ten by ten foot rooms with more than a dozen people. “We come in each day greeted by the stench from roommates and every neighbor” says Nebando who has lived in a slum for two years (Epitsen). The basics of life are denied to Uganda’s LGBTQ citizens forcing them to lead subpar lives.
After Uganda placed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law, the lives of thousand have been pared to a febile existence. The media publishes daily articles “outing” their fellow citizens, and the police interrogate them. This, however, raises a question for all countries: Who do we consider one of our own?
Works Cited
Stephenson, John. "Uganda Planning New Anti-gay Law." BBC News. BBC, 10 Nov. 2014.
Web. 9 Mar. 2015.
The World's Worst Place to Be Gay. By Scott Mills. Perf. Scott Mills. BBC Three, 2015. Web.
7 Mar. 2015.
Hogan, Caelainn. "Uganda Gays Face New Wave of Fear Under Anti-Gay Bill."The Daily
Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 2 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
Epitsen, Helen. "Murder in Uganda by Helen Epstein." Murder in Uganda by Helen Epstein.
New York Time Review of Books, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
1. My favorite aspect of this paper is the specific evidence, such as the Anti-Homosexuality Act and the percentage of jobs lost due to this persecution. It really ties everything back to why this is such an issue within Uganda.
ReplyDelete2. This connects back to the United States because of the stigma that occurred here, just 30 years ago. AIDS used to be called GRID (Gay Related Immunodeficiency), showing just how bad homosexuality was perceived.
3. A follow up research topic that would be interesting is comparing the stigma within Uganda about homosexuality to other countries, such as countries within Europe. Why do some countries allow homosexuality and accept it, while others don't? What is the cause of this?
After reading your article the biggest takeaway I had was how terrible these people are being treated by its own government and people. It was very shocking to read about the fear many people have to live in and experience for their entire life.
ReplyDeleteYour article reminded me of the difficulty people in the United States have had, and are still having with the same issue. Although it has been progressing, it is eye opening to see the same issue in another country across the world.
One follow up question I have is is there anyone helping and advocating for people's rights?
1. I absolutely love how passionate you appear to be on this topic, and that was super clear through the writing. Also, the different types of statistics that you used at specific times really aided in my understanding of this law.
ReplyDelete2. This relates to my article slightly because of the myths surrounding HIV and homosexuality. Also, the United States is slowly starting to do the opposite of Uganda, as many are working hard towards erasing any stigma behind homosexuality. The government is slowly passing laws that give rights to allow gay marriage and different rights, which demonstrates the opposite of this government in Africa.
3. You said in your article that many other nations are trying to copy this legislation, so one follow up question would be, what other nations are doing this, and what in particular are they taking from this?