The Day After: Tabloid Publishes List of 200 Top Homosexuals; Ssempa Offers Gay Rehab; Far Right Reacts

The Uganda rag, The Red Pepper, has published what it says is a list of 200 Top Homosexuals.
One problem with the story is the statement that first time offenders can be sentenced to 14 years. According to the copy of the bill I posted yesterday, first offenders may be sentenced to life in prison. For touching.
This action is disgusting. I pray it does not incite Ugandans to persecute these people.
In this NY Daily News article, a picture is posted of Martin Ssempa who is now offering “rehabilitation counseling” for gays.  Here is a similar picture from Twitter:


US exgay leader Darrell Foster congratulates Martin Ssempa.


American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer thinks putting gays in prison for life is a good thing.


Scott Lively says Africans don’t really mean what they legislate.

Seattle Times Reports on the Troubles of Mark Driscoll's Doctor John Catanzaro

Seattle Times health reporter Carol Ostrom filed a report today regarding suspended Seattle naturopath John Catanzaro. Regular readers here will recognize similar themes in this report but see some important new information as well.
The article leads with his suspension and notes that he has until March 14th to appeal. Originally, Catanzaro had 20 days to appeal but he filed a motion for an extension of time to prepare his appeal which was granted by a Seattle judge last week. According to Department of Health spokeswoman, Kelly Stowe, Catanzaro is not supposed to engage in the practice of naturopathic medicine while his license is suspended. However, according to his website, he appears to be continuing his practice.
The article also confirmed the reporting here and at Wartburg Watch that Catanzaro once claimed a relationship with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, but in fact, has no relationship with the clinic and that DFCI has asked Catanzaro to stop using the name in his materials.
According to Ostrom’s reporting, Mark Driscoll praised Catanzaro’s treatments which led to others in the church to seek out his services. Some former MHC members have related to me that Driscoll has stated publicly that the IV vitamin treatments cost over $1,000 each.
The Times article also delves into Catanzaro’s fundraising methods a bit. As the Times notes, patients have set up accounts to solicit funds for their individual care. While this is permitted, the donations may not be tax deductible as IRS rules (see page 6) appear to disallow donations which are earmarked for one person’s care.
 
 

Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014 – Full Text

A pdf of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2014 as signed today in Uganda is here.
Some reports indicated that the penalty for “the offence of homosexuality” would be 14 years in prison. However, the penalty is actually life.

The offence of homosexuality.
(1) A person commits the offence of homosexuality if—
c) he or she touches another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality.
(2) A person who commits an offence under this section shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for life.

Life in prison for touching.
The Ugandan professors who stood with Museveni have some explaining to do.

Former Member of Uganda Ministry of Health Committee on Homosexuality Objects to Political Direction; Declines to Sign Report

According to a Uganda Media Centre spokesman, President Museveni will sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill today. However, he will do so amid discord on the committee he has appointed for political cover. Dr. Eugene Kinyanda is one name that was on the initial committee but does not appear among the signers of the final report. I have learned that he has declined to sign the report.
Dr Kinyanda wrote to fellow committee member Dr. Ezati and said:

I would like to state that I will not be signing the above document. This is mainly because what was initially just an inquiry to inform the scientific understanding of homosexuality from a medical standpoint has taken a very political direction. I will not be used to justify the passing of a bill which as a doctor I do not fully understand.
Regards
Dr Eugene Kinyanda

Dr. Kinyanda is certainly correct to question the political direction of the committee and I applaud his action.

Uganda Media Centre Spokesman: President to Sign Anti-Homosexuality Bill at 11am Today (UPDATED)

Update:


Ofwono Opondo tweeted earlier that Uganda’s President Museveni will sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill at 11am Monday.

 
Opondo doesn’t hide his views behind his spokesperson role.

 
Five years ago to the day, Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin raised the flag of concern over the Kampala conference which was the public beginning of the effort to prepare Ugandans for the anti-gay bill. My first post about it was March 2, 2009.
The final report of the Ministry of Health committee on homosexuality will most likely be used by Museveni to evade responsibility for his decision. A copy of that report is here.
H/t – Box Turtle Bulletin