I just read this brief news item, and I had to pause to take a moment to absorb it all:
Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.
Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal.
Can you imagine what it must be like for those people living in Uganda? No matter what your personal or moral view on homosexuality is, nobody should have to die because they are gay. And for a government to enact such a law is despicable.
The idealist in me always wishes that we will have no more Holocausts, or Indian Wars, or Crusades, where millions of people were killed because of race or religion, but I guess that is never going to be. Some dark side of humanity seems to raise it's ugly head and bring another atrocity to another group of people.
What do you think? Will the madness ever end?
7 comments:
That's like asking if good will ever triumph over evil...we can only hope and pray.
This is atrocious, I agree. I had a similar reaction today as I watched the news and saw women covered from head to toe, while men walked around in regular clothes. Why are women made to cover themselves in public? No matter what they say, there is no good reason.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Patricia, I am holding out for the good over evil. Otherwise I just might give up on humanity, and there are so many good things about people that I would hate to do that. :-)
That's really horrible. As much as I despise the homophobia existent in Canada and America, an article like this makes me thankful to live in a country that is at least somewhat accepting. I really hope that every country will grow to accept people as people, regarless of their sexual orientation, race, religion, etc.
Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment, Jo. I remember when I was active in civil rights issues in college I thought, "Hooray, we have finally started to wake up as a society." I guess we haven't really made as much progress as we need to. Sigh.
I've always considered myself a 'world citizen', most likely from reading too much scifi as a child. :) As I grow older though, I wonder if we'll ever learn.
I hear you, Laura. Been shaking my head for many years now. LOL
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