Rep. Barney Frank (R-MA) released a statement late today opposing the anti-homosexuality bill that could be voted on as soon as tomorrow in the Ugandan parliament, and demanding the U.S. government act if it does so.
Said Frank:
"I'm disturbed by the news that Uganda is considering going ahead with a measure that denies the humanity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people."
"I was pleased when the Financial Services Committee overwhelmingly, in a bipartisan way, voted in favor of my amendment urging the Secretary of the Treasury to oppose any financial assistance from multilateral development institutions to countries that persecute people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or religious beliefs. In the discussion of the amendment I offered, I specifically mentioned the deeply troubling case of Uganda, which is now considering legislation to legally deprive people of these basic human rights."
"If the bill before the Ugandan parliament becomes law, it must be the policy of the United States government to oppose any aid to Uganda from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, or any other international financial institution of which we are a member."
In related news, the Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken out against the bill as well:
"Overall, the proposed legislation is of shocking severity and I can't see how it could be supported by any Anglican who is committed to what the Communion has said in recent decades. Apart from invoking the death penalty, it makes pastoral care impossible – it seeks to turn pastors into informers."
Earlier…
Update: Uganda's 'Kill the Gays' Bill Still Pending, Protest Planned [tr]
Uganda 'Kill the Gays' Bill Could Pass Within 72 Hours [tr]
