Comments on: Uganda’s Anti-Gay Bill and Why We Should All Worry http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/ Are we listening? Wed, 16 May 2012 03:30:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Uganda’s Anti-Gay Law in Western Media – NigeriansTalk http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-999 Uganda’s Anti-Gay Law in Western Media – NigeriansTalk Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:16:06 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-999 [...] Below is an article of mine previously posted at  allAfrica.com.  The previous post on this subject and Nigeria can be found here. [...] [...] Below is an article of mine previously posted at  allAfrica.com.  The previous post on this subject and Nigeria can be found here. [...]

]]> By: ANYI ABUA http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-628 ANYI ABUA Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:48:30 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-628 While I agree that the proposed death sentence is rather too harsh; but a strong legislation to dissuade this growing anomie should be put in place. In place of death sentence, culprits should be consigned to psychiatric and reformatory homes until it is confirmed that they have been reformed. I see this unfortunate phenomenon as a mental and psychological situation. If it is not decisively checked, the next level would be calls to legalise incest and child-sex relationships, all in the name of 'human rights' protection. Human rights should have limits, else there would be crisis and anarchy. Prohibition of same sex relationships is unarguably off-limit and should be treated as such. While I agree that the proposed death sentence is rather too harsh; but a strong legislation to dissuade this growing anomie should be put in place. In place of death sentence, culprits should be consigned to psychiatric and reformatory homes until it is confirmed that they have been reformed. I see this unfortunate phenomenon as a mental and psychological situation.

If it is not decisively checked, the next level would be calls to legalise incest and child-sex relationships, all in the name of ‘human rights’ protection. Human rights should have limits, else there would be crisis and anarchy. Prohibition of same sex relationships is unarguably off-limit and should be treated as such.

]]> By: ANYI ABUA http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-1899 ANYI ABUA Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:48:00 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-1899 While I agree that the proposed death sentence is rather too harsh; but a strong legislation to dissuade this growing anomie should be put in place. In place of death sentence, culprits should be consigned to psychiatric and reformatory homes until it is confirmed that they have been reformed. I see this unfortunate phenomenon as a mental and psychological situation. If it is not decisively checked, the next level would be calls to legalise incest and child-sex relationships, all in the name of 'human rights' protection. Human rights should have limits, else there would be crisis and anarchy. Prohibition of same sex relationships is unarguably off-limit and should be treated as such. While I agree that the proposed death sentence is rather too harsh; but a strong legislation to dissuade this growing anomie should be put in place. In place of death sentence, culprits should be consigned to psychiatric and reformatory homes until it is confirmed that they have been reformed. I see this unfortunate phenomenon as a mental and psychological situation.

If it is not decisively checked, the next level would be calls to legalise incest and child-sex relationships, all in the name of ‘human rights’ protection. Human rights should have limits, else there would be crisis and anarchy. Prohibition of same sex relationships is unarguably off-limit and should be treated as such.

]]> By: Nneoma Nwachuku http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-480 Nneoma Nwachuku Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:14:52 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-480 Great write-up. Yes I agree that Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill, if passed, can easily be replicated across the continent - especially amongst governments such as our own, who fancy legislating skirt lengths and the like. The danger I find in this case is that perceived Western or foreign opposition to this bill could further ignite the flames of injustice amongst such bigoted elements in Uganda. The points you make here, which is the discussion of whether homosexuality, in the eyes of religious fundamentalists, is more egregious a sin than any others, could resonate amongst more moderate Ugandans. If the government could murder someone on account of their sexual preference, who's to say where they will stop in their legislation of personal choice and freedoms. It's pathetic that we have to make such arguments to protect LGBTQ communities in Uganda (and perhaps elsewhere on the continent), but we have to deal with the harsh realities on the ground. Great write-up. Yes I agree that Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill, if passed, can easily be replicated across the continent – especially amongst governments such as our own, who fancy legislating skirt lengths and the like. The danger I find in this case is that perceived Western or foreign opposition to this bill could further ignite the flames of injustice amongst such bigoted elements in Uganda. The points you make here, which is the discussion of whether homosexuality, in the eyes of religious fundamentalists, is more egregious a sin than any others, could resonate amongst more moderate Ugandans. If the government could murder someone on account of their sexual preference, who’s to say where they will stop in their legislation of personal choice and freedoms. It’s pathetic that we have to make such arguments to protect LGBTQ communities in Uganda (and perhaps elsewhere on the continent), but we have to deal with the harsh realities on the ground.

]]> By: Nneoma Nwachuku http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-1898 Nneoma Nwachuku Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:14:00 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-1898 Great write-up. Yes I agree that Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill, if passed, can easily be replicated across the continent - especially amongst governments such as our own, who fancy legislating skirt lengths and the like. The danger I find in this case is that perceived Western or foreign opposition to this bill could further ignite the flames of injustice amongst such bigoted elements in Uganda. The points you make here, which is the discussion of whether homosexuality, in the eyes of religious fundamentalists, is more egregious a sin than any others, could resonate amongst more moderate Ugandans. If the government could murder someone on account of their sexual preference, who's to say where they will stop in their legislation of personal choice and freedoms. It's pathetic that we have to make such arguments to protect LGBTQ communities in Uganda (and perhaps elsewhere on the continent), but we have to deal with the harsh realities on the ground. Great write-up. Yes I agree that Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill, if passed, can easily be replicated across the continent – especially amongst governments such as our own, who fancy legislating skirt lengths and the like. The danger I find in this case is that perceived Western or foreign opposition to this bill could further ignite the flames of injustice amongst such bigoted elements in Uganda. The points you make here, which is the discussion of whether homosexuality, in the eyes of religious fundamentalists, is more egregious a sin than any others, could resonate amongst more moderate Ugandans. If the government could murder someone on account of their sexual preference, who’s to say where they will stop in their legislation of personal choice and freedoms. It’s pathetic that we have to make such arguments to protect LGBTQ communities in Uganda (and perhaps elsewhere on the continent), but we have to deal with the harsh realities on the ground.

]]> By: Saratu http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-478 Saratu Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:24:06 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-478 "Another hidden theme here is that when we human beings commit human sins there need not be a call for our death. 'But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity. Humans don’t act that way'." That part you mentioned should have been in quotation marks. Talk about changing meanings! I was just trying to show the logic of the opposing opinion that gayness as "sin" is different and therefore should call for a stronger action than a normal "human sin". Sorry that wasn't clear. The basic point the final paragraph is that even if, like many among us, you believe that homosexuality is a sin, you should still not be for a bill that requires murder of gays, because you then have to start killing everyone that commit sins. Those that believe that gays are special and should be killed believe that homosexuality is particularly egregious, and not on par with other human sins. And I totally agree with your point here: "One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a “sin” being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people." “Another hidden theme here is that when we human beings commit human sins there need not be a call for our death. ‘But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity. Humans don’t act that way’.”

That part you mentioned should have been in quotation marks. Talk about changing meanings!

I was just trying to show the logic of the opposing opinion that gayness as “sin” is different and therefore should call for a stronger action than a normal “human sin”. Sorry that wasn’t clear. The basic point the final paragraph is that even if, like many among us, you believe that homosexuality is a sin, you should still not be for a bill that requires murder of gays, because you then have to start killing everyone that commit sins. Those that believe that gays are special and should be killed believe that homosexuality is particularly egregious, and not on par with other human sins.

And I totally agree with your point here: “One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a “sin” being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people.”

]]> By: Saratu http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-1897 Saratu Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:24:00 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-1897 "Another hidden theme here is that when we human beings commit human sins there need not be a call for our death. 'But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity. Humans don’t act that way'." That part you mentioned should have been in quotation marks. Talk about changing meanings! I was just trying to show the logic of the opposing opinion that gayness as "sin" is different and therefore should call for a stronger action than a normal "human sin". Sorry that wasn't clear. The basic point the final paragraph is that even if, like many among us, you believe that homosexuality is a sin, you should still not be for a bill that requires murder of gays, because you then have to start killing everyone that commit sins. Those that believe that gays are special and should be killed believe that homosexuality is particularly egregious, and not on par with other human sins. And I totally agree with your point here: "One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a “sin” being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people." “Another hidden theme here is that when we human beings commit human sins there need not be a call for our death. ‘But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity. Humans don’t act that way’.”

That part you mentioned should have been in quotation marks. Talk about changing meanings!

I was just trying to show the logic of the opposing opinion that gayness as “sin” is different and therefore should call for a stronger action than a normal “human sin”. Sorry that wasn’t clear. The basic point the final paragraph is that even if, like many among us, you believe that homosexuality is a sin, you should still not be for a bill that requires murder of gays, because you then have to start killing everyone that commit sins. Those that believe that gays are special and should be killed believe that homosexuality is particularly egregious, and not on par with other human sins.

And I totally agree with your point here: “One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a “sin” being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people.”

]]> By: Blacklooks http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-477 Blacklooks Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:55:45 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-477 "but what worries me most about the anti-gay bill in Uganda is how easily it can be replicated across the continent. " This indeed is one of the most worrying aspects of this bill outside the consequences to LGBT Ugandans that is. You present an alternative and valid argument as to the bigoted and utterly nonsensical reasons behind the bill. However I am not at all clear what exactly you are saying from the sentence beginning "But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity" and before I comment further I would hope you can provide further explanation? As you infer the concept of "sin" is to a large degree subjective and in a case where people are calling for the punishment and incarceration of people who are engaged in loving relationships or even just sex then that policing of what is moral or not is entering into the personal choices of consenting adults where no abuse is taking place. Conversely it is unfortunate that the same moral police fail to address violence against women including that committed in the domestic sphere including marital rape. One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a "sin" being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people. “but what worries me most about the anti-gay bill in Uganda is how easily it can be replicated across the continent. ” This indeed is one of the most worrying aspects of this bill outside the consequences to LGBT Ugandans that is. You present an alternative and valid argument as to the bigoted and utterly nonsensical reasons behind the bill. However I am not at all clear what exactly you are saying from the sentence beginning “But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity” and before I comment further I would hope you can provide further explanation?

As you infer the concept of “sin” is to a large degree subjective and in a case where people are calling for the punishment and incarceration of people who are engaged in loving relationships or even just sex then that policing of what is moral or not is entering into the personal choices of consenting adults where no abuse is taking place. Conversely it is unfortunate that the same moral police fail to address violence against women including that committed in the domestic sphere including marital rape. One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a “sin” being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people.

]]> By: Blacklooks http://nigerianstalk.org/2009/12/07/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-and-why-we-should-all-worry/comment-page-1/#comment-1896 Blacklooks Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:55:00 +0000 http://nigerianstalk.org/?p=450#comment-1896 "but what worries me most about the anti-gay bill in Uganda is how easily it can be replicated across the continent. " This indeed is one of the most worrying aspects of this bill outside the consequences to LGBT Ugandans that is. You present an alternative and valid argument as to the bigoted and utterly nonsensical reasons behind the bill. However I am not at all clear what exactly you are saying from the sentence beginning "But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity" and before I comment further I would hope you can provide further explanation? As you infer the concept of "sin" is to a large degree subjective and in a case where people are calling for the punishment and incarceration of people who are engaged in loving relationships or even just sex then that policing of what is moral or not is entering into the personal choices of consenting adults where no abuse is taking place. Conversely it is unfortunate that the same moral police fail to address violence against women including that committed in the domestic sphere including marital rape. One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a "sin" being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people. “but what worries me most about the anti-gay bill in Uganda is how easily it can be replicated across the continent. ” This indeed is one of the most worrying aspects of this bill outside the consequences to LGBT Ugandans that is. You present an alternative and valid argument as to the bigoted and utterly nonsensical reasons behind the bill. However I am not at all clear what exactly you are saying from the sentence beginning “But homosexuality is so egregious because it belies our humanity” and before I comment further I would hope you can provide further explanation?

As you infer the concept of “sin” is to a large degree subjective and in a case where people are calling for the punishment and incarceration of people who are engaged in loving relationships or even just sex then that policing of what is moral or not is entering into the personal choices of consenting adults where no abuse is taking place. Conversely it is unfortunate that the same moral police fail to address violence against women including that committed in the domestic sphere including marital rape. One then has to ask why the former is the focus of religious and cultural fundamentalism and not the latter. Could it possibly be the issues raised around the intersection of sexuality and power which are at play here. The challenges to masculinity whereby two men engage in loving relationships? Or two women which challenges the role of masculinity and power over women who claim the right they have to their own bodies and sexual expression? Yes there is a “sin” being committed here but it is being done by the lawmakers and bigots not by lesbians, gays and trans people.

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