The Rev. Mark Kiyimba has spent the past six months traveling the United States, and will visit Philadelphia this weekend. His mission: Enlist the support of progressive faith communities in his campaign to bring awareness to the plight of LGBT Ugandans.
Kiyimba will discuss the LGBT-rights crisis in his home country from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6551 Lincoln Drive.
Kiyimba, a straight LGBT ally, left Uganda earlier this year after opposing to a proposed measure that could include the death penalty for gays — and putting his own life at risk.
While homosexual acts are currently illegal in Uganda, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, introduced in 2009, would institute the death penalty for those with previous convictions of homosexuality, those who are HIV-positive or those who engage in sexual acts with a person of the same sex who is under age 18.
The Ugandan Parliament shelved the bill earlier this year but, according to reports, it may be resurrected this fall.
Kiyimba said that, especially since the bill has raised the discussion about LGBT issues, the atmosphere in the country is extremely hostile to the community and all those who support it.
“It’s very bad, including for those like myself who take a stand on gay rights,” he said. “You don’t have to be a gay person but just speak on behalf of gay people and you can face all kinds of insults, threatening messages and calls like I got. And people will try to distort your message.”
The situation in Uganda has garnered international attention following the introduction of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and after the murder of prominent LGBT activist David Kato in January.
While some have accused evangelical members of the American government for influencing the creation of Uganda’s bill, Kiyimba said he thinks the U.S. has, as a whole, done its part to combat the rampant homophobia in the African nation.
“I suspect they have done as much as they can,” he said. “They have limitations to what they can do to help, but the administration has done its best, I think.”
This summer, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution that, for the first time, affirms the rights of LGBT individuals and orders a study to examine violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the international community.
Kiyimba’s tour of the United States aims to continue discussion among everyday Americans about LGBT-rights violations, he said.
“Americans have to keep a close eye on this. We are one people, even though we live in different geographical locations,” he said. “When something like this happens, we need to be one. We have to be ready to call on the government to not criminalize gay people and destroy any more lives. This is all about unity and working together for liberation and human rights.”
For more information on Kiyimba’s Germantown appearance, call 215-844-1157 or e-mail [email protected].