6:30pm-8pm

The “Kill the Gays” bill in Uganda (where homosexuality is already a crime) would impose the death penalty for a second conviction of consensual sex between two people of the same gender. It would also require family members, medical personnel, clergy and others to report people they suspect of being gay or face prison time. US evangelicals have been spreading hate in Uganda for years. In fact, the bill was introduced by David Bahati, who received training from The Family, a U.S.-based right-wing evangelical network. The bill emerged after a controversial 2009 meeting in Kampala attended by U.S.-based evangelical Scott Lively, who has compared the effect of his work there to a "nuclear bomb" that he hopes is replicated elsewhere. Thanks to an inspiring grassroots movement in Uganda and international solidarity efforts this bill has not yet been passed but it is expected to be reintroduced next month. Whether or not the anti-gay bill becomes law, and whether or not the death penalty provision remains, the mere introduction of the bill has served to intensify a climate of hatred and persecution of the LGBTI community in Uganda.

Speakers:

• Frank Mugisha, of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)
• Reverend Patricia Ackerman, Fellowship of Reconciliation
• New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, who will be presenting a proclamation to Frank Mugisha