Uganda, one of the more stable societies in Africa, plans to enact the death penalty for gay and lesbians who repeatedly engage in homosexual relationships. Last year, American missionaries spread their version of the Gospel in Uganda. Hatred, against gays and lesbians, was never too distant.
‘The Ugandan MP who sponsored the bill, David Bahati, calls himself a born again Christian.’ Global Post
Further south in Malawi, a young couple have been sentence to 14 years because they are homosexual. A photo of the two young men, bound and shackled in the back of a pick up truck, shows a laughing and heckling crowd. The couple bow their heads – in humiliation – in a culture that disparages certain fundamental human rights. Humiliated, yes, but defeated – never.
The story of Uganda, of Malawi, also resonates in the city streets of Vilnius, Lithuania where homophobia runs deep. Lithuania, one of the newest member states of the European Union, must respect the charter of fundamental rights. The charter of fundamental rights is inscribed in the Lisbon Treaty – Europe’s ‘constitution’.
But dogma stirs the basest of instincts – and here again – we hear the wild accusations coming from political leaders who voice their opinions in the name of an almighty God.
