Uganda’s Anti-Gay Bill, Condemned by US and Others, Reintroduced in Parliament

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-condemned-by-us-and-others-reintroduced-in-parliament/2012/02/07/gIQA1saMwQ_story.html

Uganda’s anti-gay bill, condemned by US and others, reintroduced in parliament


By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, February 7, 10:53 AM

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ugandan parliamentarian who first introduced an anti-gay bill that carried the death penalty for some homosexual acts reintroduced the bill on Tuesday, raising concerns among rights activists who have been fighting the legislation.

Parliamentarian David Bahati first introduced the bill in 2009 but it has never come before the full legislative body for a vote. Though widely supported in Uganda, the bill’s progress apparently has been slowed by an international outcry against the bill, including condemnation from President Barack Obama.

Bahati has said that homosexuality poses a serious threat to family values and that his bill has helped raise public awareness about what he calls “the dangers to our children.”

Bahati told The Associated Press last year that he is willing to drop the death penalty provision if that is the recommendation of a parliament committee, though a current reading of the bill hasn’t been made public.