Day: May 20, 2010

Current TV’s Vanguard series takes on the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill in a documentary which will air next week on Wednesday, May 26. There is some important footage of Martin Ssempa and Scott Lively in the trailer with much more to come in the documentary next week.

This is must see TV for anyone interested in any aspect of this issue. The work is quite well done and informative. To see the trailer on the Current website, you can also go here and there get more details about the broadcast next week.

Here is a press release about the documentary:

CURRENT TV’S VANGUARD PREMIERES “MISSIONARIES OF HATE” WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 AT 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT

Episode Chronicles Increasing Strength of Anti-Gay Movement in Uganda, and the American Influence on Uganda’s Laws and Attitudes

New Bill Would Increase Penalties Against Homosexuality, Make Homosexuality Punishable by Imprisonment or Death

LOS ANGELES – May 21, 2010 — The fourth season of Current TV’s Vanguard continues with “Missionaries of Hate,” premiering Wednesday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to Uganda to delve into reasons behind the increasing strength of anti-gay sentiment spreading throughout the country, which prompted the creation of a proposed law that would severely increase penalties against homosexuality, making the practice punishable by imprisonment or death.

 “Missionaries of Hate” explores the impact American Evangelicals have had on the movement, and features exclusive video of American Evangelical Lou Engle’s visit to Uganda on May 2 to support the major backers of the proposed legislation. Mariana van Zeller also interviews Pastor Martin Ssempa, one of the most famous religious leaders in Uganda and an anti-gay crusader, whose preaching methods include showing gay pornography in church. She also talks to Ugandan citizens (both gay and straight) about their feelings on homosexuality, the new proposed law, and the effect it will have on their lives. 

 The movement is spreading: on May 18, a gay couple in Malawi were convicted of trying to marry, and sentenced to 14 years in jail. Uganda is one of 40 countries (out of 53) in Africa with anti-gay laws in effect.

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PRESS CONTACTS:

Leslie Oren                                                                Amanda Powers         

Babygrande PR                                                        Babygrande PR

323-655-6200                                                         323-655-6204

[email protected]                             [email protected]

The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, 2010 was published in the Uganda Gazette on April 30 in advance of the first reading yesterday.

HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, 2010

According to this CNN report, the Malawian same-sex couple who wed have been found guilty of indecency and unnatural acts.

The pair was arrested in December at their home in Blantyre, Malawi, for professing their love in a traditional engagement ceremony. They were rounded up after news reports surfaced, charged under colonial-era sodomy laws and detained at Chichiru Prison without bail.

The arrests received some popular support in the conservative southern African nation, but sparked condemnation by gay rights activists. Human rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for the release of the couple.

Critics on the scene and condemned the sentence.

“There was no victim in this case, yet they were given a very harsh sentence by the judge,” said Gift Trapence, executive director of a Malawi human rights group.

This tragic situation is much like what is possible in Uganda. And sadly, you have the church associated with this limitation of personal freedom of conscience.

“Most people are repugnant towards homosexuality,” said Canaan Phiri, secretary general of the Malawi Council of Churches. “People do not declare their homosexuality because people are against this.”