In early November a number of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) organisations in South Africa received a call for solidarity from our comrades living and working in Uganda. Their call was for activists across the world to hold protests at the Ugandan Embassies and High Commissions in their countries to oppose the Anti-Homosexuality Bill currently being tabled in the Ugandan parliament. This call was taken up in South Africa and after some negotiations with the Tshwane Metropolitan Police we have managed to secure a permit to protest on the 17th November 2009.

The Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill aims to build on the current homophobic legislation already in force in that country by adding further offences and even more stringent punishments for anyone caught committing the crime of homosexuality. Among many horrific clauses in the proposed law are the imposition of the death penalty for what they term “aggravated homosexuality”, punishment for people who do not report on homosexuals and the criminalisation of activists who work in LGBTI organisations.

The protest aims not only to send a message of solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Uganda but also to send a message to the government of South Africa that their silence on this matter is entirely unacceptable. South Africa has a very disturbing track record when it comes to LGBTI issues outside of our borders. They have on many occasions in the last few years been guilty of acting in the international arena in a way that is entirely contradictory with the provisions and protections of our own Constitution.

We call on all members of the LGBTI community and all allies within broader society to join us on the 17th at the Ugandan High Commission to communicate this countries disgust with the proposed Anti-homosexuality law.

Date:    
17 November 2009

Time:    
12h00 – 14h00

Place:
The High Commission of the Republic of Uganda in South Africa, 882 Church Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

The JWG is made up of the following member organisations

• Activate WITS
• Behind the Mask
• Coalition of African Lesbians
• Durban Gay and Lesbian Community
• D Gayle
• Engender
• Forum for the Empowerment of Women
• Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action
• Gay and Lesbian Network (PMB)
• Gay Umbrella
• Gender Dynamix
• Glorious Light MCC
• Good Hope MCC
• Hope and Unity MCC
• Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM)
• Jewish Outlook
• Out in Africa
• OUT LGBT Well-being
• OUT Rhodes
• Rainbow UCT
• SAYLO
• The Inner Circle
• Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
• Triangle Project
• Unisa Centre for Applied Psychology
• XX/Y Flame