As you may have heard, this month, we aim to raise $1,000 for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), an NGO on the forefront of gay rights advocacy in Uganda. We speak to Frank Mugisha, chairman of SMUG who is one of few out gay Ugandans today. Named by The Advocate as one of the top “Forty under 40″, Mugisha has been working fearlessly and tirelessly in the fight for gay rights despite the hostility, threats, arrests and intimidation.
Hi, Frank! Thanks for taking time off to do this interview. First off can you tell us a little something about yourself?
My name is Frank Mugisha, and I am a Ugandan gay activist. I’ve been the chairman of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) since 2007 and am also the founder of another group called Icebreakers Uganda in 2004.
I have lost jobs friends and family. I have been named and shamed in Ugandan media. I have led demonstrations, parades, press conference, to reject the cruel treatment of gays and lesbians in Uganda. I have fought and pulled out gay and lesbian people out of prisons, who are arrested because of to their sexual orientation.
Today, I work with civil society organizations, development and diplomatic missions to fight the Anti Homosexuality Bill. In 2009, we led religious leaders and HIV/AIDS activist to the Ugandan parliament to petition the speaker of parliament to stop the bill.
In the course of my work, I have been fortunate enough to speak alongside people like Chris Bryant MP, Minister at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Alvaro Bermejo, Chief Executive of theInternational HIV/AIDS, and Birgitta Ohlsson, Sweden’s Minister of EU Affairs. I’ve also participated at the human rights conference during the World Out Games in Denmark, represented SMUG at the Paris Congress, in France.
How did you get involved in activism?
I felt such a need for young gay people in Uganda to know about HIV/AIDS , and because the government of Uganda does not provide such information and has totally ignored this minority group, I decided to take matters into my own hands and started a support group to help men who have sex with men understand risky sexual behaviors. We also help gay and lesbian men and women in the process of coming out, and as the group got bigger it became known as Icebreakers Uganda. Later in 2007, I was appointed the leader of SMUG.
How did SMUG come about?
SMUG was started by gay and lesbian activists and friends of gay and lesbians who felt the need to support and fight for the rights of LGBTI people. However at that time, the only way to do it was to use HIV/AIDs as the entry point to advocate for the rights of LGBTI people, so that’s what we did.
Can you give us an update on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill?
When the bill was introduced in parliament in 2009, it was assigned to the legal parliamentary affairs committee and the presidential affairs committee the bill had only one hearing, where religious leaders were invited to give recommendations to the bill. The bill has not been discussed by any further committee nor has it been discussed at all. However the bill was also assigned by the president to a cabinet committee and at the end the committee said most of the laws in the bill aready exist , however Clause 13 of the bill which talks about the “promotion of homosexuality” should be considered. The bill has since been criticized by human rights organizations and world leaders all over the world, and now we haven’t had much of it. However there is a lot of homophobia with or without the bill and LGBTI people now face a much more hostile community.
We understand that SMUG has had to move several times in the last few years due to the hostility. Tell us something about the sort of threats that you’ve received.
We have had to move our offices because of threats, harassments from neighbors, sometimes our landlords have thrown us out, and at other times, law enforcers come to intimidate us at the office. Death threats have also come in the form of graffiti on the walls of the office.
What are SMUG’s plans for the rest of 2010?
We are working around the bill mostly but as well as we carry out our projects that I have shared with you.
What can concerned individuals do to help?
We need support — financial , technical and moral support. We need people to support Human rights work in Uganda , we also need to support progressive work in Uganda so that we can fight the conservatives that are spreading hate in Uganda in terms of religious conservatives
How have you been raising funds?
We submit proposals and we get grants, however we have been unable to get grants to cover all our projects mostly because we are not registered as an NGO and the reason we are not registered is because it is illegal to be gay on Uganda.
Tell us about IceBreakers Uganda and Integrity Uganda?
Icebreakers Uganda is a support organization for gays and lesbians , supports them in coming out and also helps provide health information to MSM, like voluntary counseling and referrals, also provides condoms and lubricants for safe sex and sex education.
How will the money raised for SMUG be used?
AWARENESS AND SENSITIZATION ON THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL:
There is still need to do more sensitization and awareness about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill among all the stakeholders. These include the LGBTI community itself, Civil Society Organizations and NGOs that work with human rights issues and HIV/AIDS, etc., legislators, and the general community, that is parents, teachers, employers, and doctors who may find themselves relating with LGBTI people either on a professional level or socially, religiously and economically.
Activities needed under this task are as follows: Workshops for each grouping of stakeholders; seeking audience (meetings) with say legislators or health professionals or parents and guardians; having talk shows on radio and TV; developing a toolkit or magazine or information booklet targeting the LGBTI community and other people who wish to learn about homosexuality and the repercussions of the bill therefore on people who feel that way; writing simple brochures or fliers targeting the LGBTI community and the general public and distributing them anonymously; and presenting papers at national and international for and this will entail travel and accommodations costs in cases where the invitee organization does not cater.
ORGANISATIONAL SECURITY:
There is now a need, more than ever, to be very conscious of the security of the organization SMUG and its staff members. This is particularly so because of the recent Telephone Tapping Bill that has recently been passed by the Ugandan Parliament. SMUG has an office landline number and hotlines as well as its member’s private lines and alternative lines. All these are at a high danger of being tapped and information about the organization and its donors could easily be captured and used against the cause. This therefore puts the organization and its members at risk.
Activities under this task can include: frequent buying of new telephone lines for staff and members and furnishing friendly organizations with the numbers on a list-serve; developing and mainstreaming unique lingua for communication of sensitive information; acquiring and innovatively creating organizational information backups (portable backup systems, having and connecting to backup computers that are not at the office premises or in the country or in the city; liaising with other non-LGBTI organizations by them helping to keep information, materials etc.); always having in place an emergency fund for urgent evacuation, resettling, relocating, reorienting, of the organization and its staff members; putting in a fixed budget for safe means of transport for office staff that does not expose them to other members of society especially where their faces are recognizable as activists (use of car rentals and taxis/cabs would be the best mode on a daily basis especially for well known activist staff members); constructing a SMUG house that would be used as a safe space away from prying eyes and disguising it as a private house complete with furniture and toiletries and food plus other utilities.
Thanks for reading and please help SMUG make a difference in Uganda by clicking on the “ChipIn” button to donate via Paypal.
Gays.com is getting close to 200 000 members
So we wondered how to thank and reward you guys for making our website so great…Well, we’re going to giveaway some 200$ Amazon gift cards this month! We will throw a new contest each week. Who’s ready for shopping?
So here’s the deal for this week : for each friend you invite on Gays.com and who signs up, you get a chance to win 200$ worth spending on Amazon. I’m sure you’re wondering “what if I invite a loooot of friends…” YES you get even more chances to get one of the gift cards.
Don’t wait, click here and invite all your LGBT friends to Gays.com
Thank you again for making Gays.com such an amazing social network for the LGBT community.
John Quiñones of ABC News’ “What Would You Do?” decided to put America’s comfort level with gay parents to the test and set out for a diner in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, N.Y., to find out. The restaurant was rigged with hidden cameras and actors were hired to play gay parents and a homophobic waiter who refuses them service. Just how many people come to the defense of the gay parents? Watch to find out: Read the rest of this entry »
Sad news coming out from Iran. An 18 year old young man accused of sodomy will be executed, and apparently, he isn’t even gay:
“An Iranian court handed a death sentence to an 18-year-old man accused of homosexuality offences. The British newspaper Guardian reported on Sunday that the man was convicted of sodomy although no evidence was presented against him and his “victim” admitted of lying to the court.
According to the Report, Ebrahim Hamidi, who is not gay, was arrested two years ago along with three of his friends at a Tibliz suburb, after fighting with members of another family.
The prosecution accused the four of trying to “homosexually assault” another man. Three days later, Hamidi confessed to the crime, after allegedly undergoing torture. Hamidi’s friends were released after agreeing to testify against him.
An Islamic court convicted Hamidi of sodomy, although the victim admitted last month that he fabricated the claims because he was pressured by his family. In addition, the court did not present any evidence to substantiate the accusations against Hamidi, and his lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei, was absent from the hearing after being forced to flee due to his involvement in Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s trial, who been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.”
1. You can now report messages from suspicious characters! A report feature has now been added to your inbox messages that will make reporting spammers and scammers a lot easier. You’ll find this feature on the right-hand side column of the inbox message. Once again, the usual reminder: Be wary of people (yes, even good-looking ones!) that start a conversation by asking you to call them or add them up on another site or an instant messenger. Be especially wary when they promise you more pictures or videos if you add them up (why wouldn’t they be uploading their stuff on the site instead?). And don’t give any of your contact or personal details to them — the safest way is to keep all communication on Gays.com, and to report suspicious characters to us. We need your help in keeping the site safe for all.
2. An easier way to provide feedback See that new feedback button on the left hand side of the page? Click on it anytime you want to send us feedback, give us a new idea, or get something off your chest about the site!
This month, we’re kicking off with the fundraising campaign donate@gays.com for an LGBT organization we think deserves your support!
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) is a group of courageous gay rights defenders who are on the frontline of the battle against a proposed legislation now known as the “Kill-the-Gays Bill”. These activists are forced to move from place to place because of the hostility and threats they are receiving. Yet they continue to soldier on, persistent in their ideals to advance and advocate the legal rights of the LGBT community.
Our goal for this campaign is a very modest US$1,000 — but we hope we’ll be surprised by your support! Now is the time for us to stand behind our brothers and sisters in Uganda in solidarity. Donate just a dollar if you don’t have much, or the cost of a cocktail on a night out — no matter what you contribute, every cent will go a long way in making a difference for our Ugandan friends.
Watch this space for an interview with Frank Mugisha, chairman of SMUG. In the meantime, please support SMUG by joining their group page and click on the “ChipIn” button to donate via Paypal!
Yesterday’s big news, if you still haven’t heard it, is that Proposition 8, the voter-approved ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage in California in 2008, has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. This, however, does not mean the battle is over as of now. The ruling will first be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and will likely move on to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Prop 8 supporters are now crying foul, saying Judge Vaughn Walker was biased and unfit to judge the case because he himself is gay (while remaining silent on whether a straight judge would also be considered to have a similarly disqualifying interest in the case). For an excellent treatise on why Walker’s sexuality does not matter, read this post by Aaron Zelinsky on Huffington Post.
This won’t be the last we’ll hear of Prop 8 and we’ll bring you more on the story as it develops but here’s a few nice reactions from various sources that are worth a read:
“[The verdict] moves America closer to its ideals of respecting individual freedom and treating all citizens equally under the law. … After [slain son] Matt came out to me, he once asked me if I thought gay couples would ever be allowed to get married. I told him I didn’t think it would happen in my lifetime, but it probably would in his. It’s so sad, and ironic, that it turned out the other way. But this case warms my heart, to think that his dream is still coming true.”
California governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar:
“Judge Walker had the great responsibility of deciding whether Proposition 8 violates the Constitution of the United States. He heard in-depth arguments from both sides on fundamental questions of due process, equal protection and freedom from discrimination. There are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and I am glad that all viewpoints were respected throughout the proceedings. We should also recognize that there will continue to be different points of view in the wake of this decision.
“For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all Californians to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity.
“Today’s decision is by no means California’s first milestone, nor our last, on America’s road to equality and freedom for all people.”
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:
“Today, the sun shines a little brighter on the Golden State. A federal judge has affirmed what a majority of Californians know to be true: that love does not discriminate and that marriage is a civil right, not a privilege reserved for a select class of citizens. The decision handed down today in Perry v. Schwarzenegger reaffirms the notion that separate is never equal.
“Although this is a landmark case and one of tremendous importance, we all know that this will not be the final word on marriage equality. We will continue to fight as tirelessly as ever before to ensure members of the LGBT community and all Californians are afforded the same rights and privileges under the laws of our nation.”
Lady Gaga:
“At the moments notice of PROP 8 DEATH I instantly began to write music. BUBBLE DREAMS FOREVER! FULL EQUALITY! THIS IS JUST THE BEGININNG!”
“REJOICE and CELEBRATE gay communities and straight all over the world. Our voices are being heard! Loud! SCREAM LOUD AMERICANOS!”
Kathy Griffin:
“I am, of course, thrilled and heartened by Judge Walker’s ruling… As we all know, the anti-gay movement is certain to appeal this landmark case to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco and, ultimately, to the United States Supreme Court in Washington. So, while today’s decision is a key victory in the fight for marriage equality, we still have a long way to go before my mother Maggie can break out her box of wine in celebration. I urge my friends and fans to stay strong, be vocal and take strength in the knowledge that we will be on the right side of history.”
Paris Hilton: “What a huge historical day for equal rights in this country! They finally overturned Prop 8! There shouldn’t be a law on true love. :)”
Cynthia Nixon: ”This is an exciting moment for everyone who believes in the constitutional guarantee of equal rights for all. It’s a beautiful day in California today. New York is hoping to bask in some of that sunshine before too long. ”
Adam Lambert: “We’re gonna throw glitter on this barn tonight!!!”
Lance Bass: “Congrats on the overturning of Prop 8!!!!”
Adam Shankman: “And justice is served. We are equal once more. God bless the letter of the law.”
Sandra Bernhard: “If we can’t have the same tax breaks, insurance coverage etc, then we are not paying for your wars, get it together right now.”
Christina Applegate: “I am crying with absolute joy! Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting equality win …. All men and women are created equal! But of course!”
Coming out is an important rite of passage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people the world over — it’s about self-acceptance, authenticity and public acknowledgement.
So here’s a fun little badge for those of you who have totally come out and want the world to know about it.
Simply edit your About information, under the section “How Out” (see image below) and tell us you’re “totally out and proud”. Once you’re done with this, you’ll have a banner over your (once-boring) profile picture that tells people you’re out — and having a wonderful life — like Gays.com user Zak Smith (pictured)!
Here’s a good overview of the current status of support for gay marriage in the Americas, from Americas Quarterly via Box Turtle Bulletin. Where does your country stand in all this?
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Good morning Europe :)
Have you heard about our contest this week?
We're giving away 200$ Amazon.com giftcards.... http://fb.me/GVlqN7kO2010/09/01
As you may have heard, this month, we aim to raise $1,000 for 
Sad news coming out from Iran. An 18 year old young man accused of sodomy will be executed, and apparently, 
Hi everyone!
Coming out is an important rite of passage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people the world over — it’s about self-acceptance, authenticity and public acknowledgement.
