Gay laws in Uganda

[britishboy]

With everyone panicking over homophobes in Russia I thought I would start a thread on Uganda where it is actually illegal to be gay.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0227/506899-uganda/
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/25/uganda-donors-cut-aid-anti-gay-law
Is it that big a deal? Why are people more concerned with Russia? Should we do anything?

[Harry Smith]

People aren't more concerned about Russia- you can care equally about two things at the same time you know. I'm concerned about Russia and Uganda it's not either or.

yes it's a big deal, it's a terrible deal. There really isn't any place for this in the 21st century, it's also leading to some pretty damaging side effects such as public killings and attacks. I think we should engage with Uganda about it-encourage them to change, if not we should consider cutting a percentage of foreign aid towards the country

[britishboy]

People aren't more concerned about Russia- you can care equally about two things at the same time you know. I'm concerned about Russia and Uganda it's not either or.

yes it's a big deal, it's a terrible deal. There really isn't any place for this in the 21st century, it's also leading to some pretty damaging side effects such as public killings and attacks. I think we should engage with Uganda about it-encourage them to change, if not we should consider cutting a percentage of foreign aid towards the country

I agree but would go further, intimidate them. They don't care about our aid but they will care if we sanction them.

[AlexOnToast]

The things going on in Uganda are terrible. If someone is suspected of being gay, their name is put in the paper with encouragement to beat them up and destroy their property.
I agree with Harry, things need to be done and done soon.

[Harry Smith]

I agree but would go further, intimidate them. They don't care about our aid but they will care if we sanction them.

Intimidate them? How would we do that?

[britishboy]

Intimidate them? How would we do that?

Sanctions would be the best. What you have to remember is that if they don't care about you opinion they're not going to change so I would change something they care about.

High level talks would also be good.

[thatcountrykid]

Honestly samctions are useless. What are you gonna do if they dont follow it.

[Plasma]

Why the fuck is there a law against sexual preference? That's like telling people that its illegal to like vanilla more than chocolate. The world needs a falcon punch to the balls

[Harry Smith]

Honestly samctions are useless. What are you gonna do if they dont follow it.

Put sanctions in place...

[thatcountrykid]

Put sanctions in place...

But what if they don't follow them! What are you gonna do? Swat it with a news paper?

[darthearth]

I would support cutting all funding to these places. I don't want my tax dollars going to anyplace that makes sexual preference laws. But I'm not sure about sanctions, I would hate to really create hardship on the people. I don't like sanctions that much in general, it just doesn't seem like one can improve things much by impoverishing the people. Maybe there should be a thread on sanctions specifically.

[Mastretta]

Majority of countries made being gay illegal, most of east Africa is like that too,not a big surprise. Russia is a more "Devolved" country so it is more taboo for something like the issues they're having to happen.