• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Body
  • Daily Resist
  • POLITICS
  • Travel
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Film
  • TV
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Men
  • Marriage Equality
  • Space
  • Trans Rights
  • Books
  • Science
  • Gay Iconography
  • TowleREAD

Ugandan Official Accuses Obama of ‘Blackmail’ for Warnings About Anti-Gay Law

February 19, 2014 by Andy Towle

Over the weekend, President Obama released a statement condemning the planned signing of Uganda's anti-gay law, warning that it would strain relations with the U.S..

Troops_obamaSaid Obama, in part:

As we have conveyed to President Museveni, enacting this legislation will complicate our valued relationship with Uganda. At a time when, tragically, we are seeing an increase in reports of violence and harassment targeting members of the LGBT community from Russia to Nigeria, I salute all those in Uganda and around the world who remain committed to respecting the human rights and fundamental human dignity of all persons.

Read his full statement here.

LokodoNow, Ugandan officials are reacting to the statement, Reuters reports:

Ethics and Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo said aid should not be tied to Uganda's stand on homosexuality.

"We don't like to blackmail others. It's very dishonest, very irresponsible and unfriendly of persons to attach behavior of another community to their sharing resources," Lokodo told Reuters TV in Kampala…

…Lokodo said that were he to meet Obama, he would tell him that he had made the right choice in marrying a woman.

"I would tell him point-blank that he chose the right direction and this direction was to marry Michelle," he said.

"They have produced children, why does he encourage and promote others, men and women of same sex, to live together and have no offspring like him?"

Ugandan lawmakers at a retreat over the weekend cheered as President Museveni said he would sign the bill, which penalizes anyone who aids or abets a known homosexual, and punishes homosexuality with life imprisonment.

The anti-gay activity in Uganda inspired protests by pro-gay activists in Kenya, and lawmakers in that country reacted by announcing that they would call on Kenyan officials to ask them why their anti-gay laws are not being enforced. Kenya's penal code criminalizes homosexuality, yet it is rarely discharged.

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh also appears to be increasing his anti-gay rhetoric. This week he called homosexuals “vermin” and pledged his government will fight them much the same way it fights malaria-infected mosquitoes, "if not more aggressively."

Filed Under: Barack Obama, News, Uganda Tagged With: Barack Obama, News, Uganda

Recent Posts

  • GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn Lied About Training for Paralympics

    GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn Lied About Training for Paralympics

    7 mins ago
  • Senate to Get Article of Impeachment from House on Monday

    Senate to Get Article of Impeachment from House on Monday

    35 mins ago
  • Newt Gingrich Tells Sean Hannity That Democrats Want to ‘Exterminate’ Republicans: WATCH

    Newt Gingrich Tells Sean Hannity That Democrats Want to ‘Exterminate’ Republicans: WATCH

    2 hours ago
  • ‘Years & Years’ Covers Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’ — LISTEN

    ‘Years & Years’ Covers Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’ — LISTEN

    2 hours ago
Previous Post: « As Promised, Here’s the Full Marvel ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Trailer with Chris Pratt: VIDEO
Next Post: American Idol’s First Openly Gay Contestant MK Nobilette Stuns with Opening Performance: VIDEO »

Primary Sidebar

  • GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn Lied About Training for Paralympics

  • Senate to Get Article of Impeachment from House on Monday

  • Newt Gingrich Tells Sean Hannity That Democrats Want to ‘Exterminate’ Republicans: WATCH

Recent Posts

  • GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn Lied About Training for Paralympics

    GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn Lied About Training for Paralympics

    7 mins ago
  • Senate to Get Article of Impeachment from House on Monday

    Senate to Get Article of Impeachment from House on Monday

    35 mins ago
  • Newt Gingrich Tells Sean Hannity That Democrats Want to ‘Exterminate’ Republicans: WATCH

    Newt Gingrich Tells Sean Hannity That Democrats Want to ‘Exterminate’ Republicans: WATCH

    2 hours ago
  • ‘Years & Years’ Covers Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’ — LISTEN

    ‘Years & Years’ Covers Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’ — LISTEN

    2 hours ago
  • Schumer Urged to Deny Committee Seats to Hawley, Cruz, and Other Republicans Who ‘Incited Deadly Insurrection’

    Schumer Urged to Deny Committee Seats to Hawley, Cruz, and Other Republicans Who ‘Incited Deadly Insurrection’

    3 hours ago
  • ‘QAnon Shaman’ and Capitol Insurrectionist Jacob Chansley Regrets Being ‘Duped’ by Trump: WATCH

    ‘QAnon Shaman’ and Capitol Insurrectionist Jacob Chansley Regrets Being ‘Duped’ by Trump: WATCH

    3 hours ago
  • Alice Hoagland, Mother of Gay 9/11 Hero Mark Bingham and LGBTQ Ally, Has Died

    Alice Hoagland, Mother of Gay 9/11 Hero Mark Bingham and LGBTQ Ally, Has Died

    4 hours ago
  • Chances for Trump Senate Impeachment Conviction Fading: REPORT

    Chances for Trump Senate Impeachment Conviction Fading: REPORT

    4 hours ago
  • Thousands of National Guard Troops Banished to Cold Capitol Parking Garage Returned to Congressional Buildings Following Outcry

    Thousands of National Guard Troops Banished to Cold Capitol Parking Garage Returned to Congressional Buildings Following Outcry

    4 hours ago
  • GOP Rep. Andy Harris Stopped from Bringing Gun on to House Floor

    GOP Rep. Andy Harris Stopped from Bringing Gun on to House Floor

    5 hours ago

Most Commented

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Footer

Copyright © 2021 · Log in