Tell Canyon Ridge Christian Church to Denounce Uganda's "Kill the Gays" Bill

 
Targeting: Jose Cruz (Pastor), Susan Fuller (Pastor), Kevin Odor (Pastor), see more...Jose Cruz (Pastor), Susan Fuller (Pastor), Kevin Odor (Pastor), Steve Thomas (Pastor), Mitch Harrison (Executive Pastor), Travis Fox (Pastor) and Doug Parks (Executive Pastor)

Started by: Michael Jones

 

Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas is one of the few religious entities that has yet to condemn efforts in Uganda to criminalize homosexuality with the death penalty and/or life in prison. Instead, Canyon Ridge Christian Church praises the work of Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa, who is one of the leading religious figures in Uganda working to pass harsh anti-gay legislation. Ssempa travels around Uganda stirring religious fervor against homosexuality, openly calling for gay people to be executed.
Is this the type of ministry that Canyon Ridge Christian Church believes is prophetic? Why are they holding up the work of Martin Ssempa, and why haven't they publicly condemned efforts to kill or imprison gay people, and their straight alleis, in Uganda?
It's time to demand better from Canyon Ridge Christian Church. Send their leaders and ministers a message that as a faith-based body, they should join with religious leaders from around the globe in condemning Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill. It's unacceptable for a Church, which claims to be a place for "God's grace and forgiveness," to support efforts to kill gay people in Uganda, and/or the ministers and ministries pushing to kill gay people in Uganda.

 PETITION TEXT

On your Web site (at this link: http://www.canyonridge.org/default.aspx?page=8539), you hold up the work of a pastor in Uganda, Martin Ssempa, who has repeatedly called for gays and lesbians in Uganda to be exterminated and/or imprisoned with life sentences. You note on your Web site that Martin Ssempa "is a social activist and has a prophetic ministry" in Uganda, and you praise his work as desiring "to raise a new generation of world-class leaders."

But the work that Ssempa does is extremely dangerous, and could very well lead to the widespread killing and jailing of innocent people in Uganda. Already, pastors and ministries including Rev. Rick Warren, the Philadelphia Bible University, and WAIT Training have denounced the work of Ssempa as violent and extremist.

Yet Canyon Ridge has not condemned Ssempa's work, nor has Canyon Ridge condemned efforts in Uganda to exterminate gays and lesbians. Why have you remained silent on this?

Your mission statement says that you are a Church where "everyone can discover that they matter to God. Where all people can come as they are and experience God's grace, love, forgiveness, healing, and hope." Yet by refusing to condemn efforts in Uganda to kill and imprison gay people and straight allies to the gay community, you are sending the message that your Church is willing to support murder and human rights violations committed en masse.

I urge you to denounce the legislative efforts in Uganda to criminalize homosexuality with the death penalty and life imprisonment, and I urge you to condemn the work of Pastor Martin Ssempa. He is not a man creating a generation of world-class leaders. He's a man who is calling for innocent people to be murdered, all because of their sexual orientation.

Thank you for your time.

TO SIGN PETITION VISIT:  http://gayrights.change.org/petitions/view/tell_canyon_ridge_christian_church_to_denounce_ugandas_kill_the_gays_bill

RUGBY: UGANDA JUST BEAT ZIMBABWE

We cant stop the THRILL as we wallop Mugabe's Boys 25-15

An Open Statement from the Psychological Society of South Africa to the People and Leaders of Uganda Concerning The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

An Open Statement from the Psychological Society of South Africa
to the People and Leaders of Uganda Concerning
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009

And addressed to:
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
aak@statehouse.go.ug
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka
dnuwamanya@parliament.go.u

g



Introduction

On the occasion of the proposed legislation in Uganda to greatly expand your country’s existing criminalisation of homosexual behaviour, as well as to criminalise those who fail to report even suspicion of it including family members, colleagues and health care professionals;

And given arguments made in the bill itself and from its proponents in numerous public statements that it is intended to achieve the laudable goal of protecting youth, families and communities;

And given that there has been ample critique by civil society including human rights, public health and faith communities addressing a range of serious concerns from those perspectives;

And given that it is good practice that legislation is based not on unsubstantiated opinions, but rather on recognised research findings;

And given that there has not yet been a scientific analysis of the core assumptions and arguments being made to justify the legislation;

And given that the considerable body of relevant international scientific research provides a context in which to assess the assumptions and issues presented by The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009;

It is therefore incumbent on representatives of organised psychology, as leaders in the field of mental health and well-being, to offer such an analysis and recommendations as follows :






The Nature of Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation refers to one’s emotional, romantic and sexual attraction to men, women, or both sexes. It can also refer to a person’s core sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviours, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.

Research and clinical experience have found no relationship between sexual orientation and someone’s ability to contribute to the community and to influence children to become responsible members of society.

Research and clinical experience further concludes that for most people sexual orientation is not “a choice” or “voluntary.” The core aspects of sexual orientation, whether heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, typically emerge by early adolescence, even though the individual may not yet have become sexually active.

While “causes” for any of these sexual orientations remain unclear, they are highly resistant to change. Further, there is no reliable evidence that sexual orientation is subject to redirection, “conversion” or any significant influence from efforts by psychological or other interventions.

Research and clinical experience concludes that homosexual or bisexual orientations are naturally occurring minority variations of normal human sexuality. They are also documented widely throughout nature.

The Sexual Orientation of Adults Does Not Adversely Affect Children in Their Care

A common manifestation of prejudice against homosexual people has been the allegation that gay men in particular pose a danger to children. Yet, all available reliable research data and clinical experience concludes that gay men are not more likely than heterosexual men to sexually exploit and abuse children. Claims to the contrary seriously mischaracterise the research and rely on suspect sources. The presumption that homosexual men are paedophiles also is not supported by respected, peer reviewed research.

South African-based as well as other international research has found that there is no difference between children who are raised by homosexual versus heterosexual parents regarding matters such as sexual orientation, gender identity, sex-role behaviour, likelihood of being sexually abused, self-concept, intelligence, personality characteristics, behaviour problems, peer relations, parental separation and divorce, general adjustment and accomplishment of developmental tasks.

Effects of Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation

Both international and South African research has found significant negative effects of exclusion and other forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sexual orientation-based discrimination presents the same risks of psychological and other harms as discrimination on the basis of race, religion or gender.

Notably, among youth who identify as homosexual or bisexual or who think they may be, research concludes that family rejection and exclusion, as well as bullying by peers, correlates highly with a range of high risk behaviours and outcomes ranging from truancy to substance abuse to attempts at suicide.

In much of sub-Saharan Africa, homosexuality is firstly interpreted as “foreign,” portrayed as “un-African” and a “white import.” In some traditional African beliefs, those of a same-sex sexual orientation are considered cursed or bewitched; that is, damned by the forefathers and the gods. In primarily Christian and Muslim African countries alike, gay men and lesbian women are confronted with religious condemnation.

Much evidence points to this stigmatisation leading to deep-seated and widespread prejudice, discrimination and violence toward those who are not heterosexual. A session on homosexuality at the 2nd Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, hosted in Kenya in 2006, noted that fear, hatred and abuse at the hands of largely intolerant and unsympathetic peers and elders hampers the personal growth and well-being of African homosexuals.

Also widely documented among the outcomes of prejudice and discrimination are consistently high rates of anti-homosexual harassment and violence, both state sanctioned and extrajudicial. Furthermore, criminalisation on the basis of sexual orientation has been found to exacerbate social discrimination and, in particular, leads service providers to discount, ignore and neglect the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, thus compounding their vulnerability.

Conclusion

The scientific fields devoted to mental health and well-being, including psychiatry, psychology and sociology, do not consider homosexual orientation to be a disorder, but rather view it as a naturally occurring variation of normal human sexuality. Research and clinical practice indicates that homosexual people have an overall potential to contribute to society similar to that of heterosexual people and that they pose no greater risk to children than do heterosexual people.

While the proposed bill cites “…the need to protect the children and youths of Uganda…” as justification, there is no credible, reliable evidence that the measures contained in the bill will achieve that outcome. Research and clinical practice instead indicates that the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms embodied in the bill, and the state sponsored discrimination and affronts to basic human dignity it mandates, would instead result in profound physical and psychological harms to the already vulnerable lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in the very population the legislation claims to protect.

On the grounds outlined in this statement, the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) therefore joins the international community in strongly opposing the proposed anti-homosexuality legislation. The PsySSA joins in the call for Ugandan leaders to abandon or defeat the bill, and instead to join the trend in the international community of decriminalising homosexuality.


Call to Action

The Psychological Society of South Africa invites other organisations and professionals dedicated to mental health and well-being, particularly throughout the African continent, to join us by endorsing this statement and forwarding notification of endorsement to the President of the Republic of Uganda and the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament at the addresses above as we will do upon release of this statement. We further ask that organisations and individuals so doing also kindly copy their endorsement to PsySSA so that we can monitor the response.
• Psychological Society of South Africa notification address: nelja@unisa.ac.za
The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) is the professional body representing psychologists in South Africa. PsySSA has since its inception been dedicated to making a significant contribution to solving the pressing human development problems in South Africa. PsySSA is committed to the transformation and development of South African Psychology to serve the needs and interests of all South Africa’s people. PsySSA advances psychology as a science, profession and as a means of promoting human well-being.

The Psychological Society of South Africa is a member of The International Network on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns and Transgender Issues in Psychology.

What a Crazy world: 12 year old girl marries 30 year old man in Gulu,Uganda

Weired news never seems to end in third world Countries.
The latest is in series- A 30 Year old man(with no shame)has married off a 12(Baby) year old girl in Northern Uganda,Gulu.
As im talking, the shameless guy has already sent in his Bride price.

People love young & fresh blood!

51 Killed,300 more reported missing after a deadly Landslide in Eastern Uganda

A land slide in Bududa, Eastern part of Uganda has killed 3451 people and 300 are reported to be missing .
However some people are reporting the figure to be 40. -This follows Heavy rains which have rocketed uganda.


R.I.P and my heart goes 2 the people of that side

Derrick

Worlds most liveable cities

Following is a list of the top 10 most liveable cities as ranked by The Economist:

1. Vancouver, Canada
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Melbourne, Australia
4. Toronto, Canada
5. Calgary, Canada
6. Helsinki, Finland
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Perth, Australia
9. Adelaide, Australia
10. Auckland, New Zealand
The bottom 10 cities were:
1. Harare, Zimbabwe
2. Dhaka , Bangladesh
3. Algiers , Algeria
4. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
5. Lagos, Nigeria
6. Karachi, Pakistan
7. Douala, Cameroon
8. Kathmandu, Nepal
9. Colombo, Sri Lanka
10. Dakar, Senegal

Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill – Open Letter to President Museveni

Dear President Museveni and leaders of the National Resistance Movement

THE UGANDAN ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS

We, the undersigned, are a group of organisations and individuals from South Africa deeply concerned about the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” (2009) currently tabled before the Ugandan parliament, as well as sections 145, 146 and 148 of the Penal Code of Uganda that criminalises homosexual relations. For instance, section 145 of the existing Penal Code Act (1950) imposes a life sentence for consensual sex between adults of the same sex. The proposed Bill goes much further and includes the death penalty for similar offences. The original Penal Code was introduced by the British Colonial Administration.

This letter is written as an appeal to you in your capacity as leaders of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the majority party in the Ugandan parliament. We urge that the NRM campaigns for the proposed Bill to be withdrawn and that consensual same-sex relations be decriminalised in the Republic of Uganda. These laws deliberately persecute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation.

As organisations and individuals we do not presume to instruct the Ugandan Parliament but we wish to point out that these laws are human rights violations and they affect every person on the African continent and around the world.

SOCIAL COHESION: UGANDA AND BEYOND

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill purports to defend Ugandan family life, culture and society against the threats of homosexuality. Persecution of homosexuals and other sexual minorities will not achieve this aim. We support efforts by the Ugandan government to promote social cohesion including strengthening family bonds and parental care. These objectives are not incompatible with the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people to equality before the law. Every country on our continent faces potential social instability based on the mass unemployment of young people and poverty which has caused social conflict and displacement across the region. We believe this is the real force tearing at the social fabric. This is true for Uganda as much as for South Africa. Family life and social cohesion in Sub-Saharan Africa has also been weakened through the HIV epidemic with the passing of many adults leaving our children destitute and many the heads of their households. Violence against children and women is not only a violation of their rights but further undermines family life across the continent. We experienced this in South Africa in the despair of youth and poor people which fuelled the xenophobic violence of 2008, leaving many refugees and migrants from other African countries dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. Such intolerance directed at groups of people indicates a dangerous lack of social cohesion. Globally unfair trade and labour practices further undermines the dignity of our working people in Africa, limiting their job opportunities and restricting internal government revenues. Each of us on the African continent must help our governments and peoples to overcome these social inequalities and human rights violations. Cruel persecution of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex people may be a useful diversion but it sets a pattern for lawless behaviour that is undermining legality as well as the freedoms and rights of all people.

UNJUST LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION OF UGANDA AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

We all have a basic human right to personal security and psychological integrity and freedom and this includes the right to form loving relationships irrespective of sexual orientation. The proposed Bill and existing Penal Code promotes and sponsors hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Homophobia is no different from racism, tribalism, xenophobia or sexism as an irrational prejudice which encourages hatred and violence.

The equation of homosexuality with bestiality or paedophilia is misguided and an unjust stereotype. These practices are committed by a minority of people of all sexual orientations. We support the prosecution of rapists and paedophiles irrespective of their sexual orientation or social status.

The proposed Bill and Penal Code are also irreconcilable with universal and African values of dignity, equality and freedom. The existing Penal Code punishes homosexuals with possible life imprisonment and to this the new Bill would add the death penalty for amongst others the most basic and private expression of their sexual identity. People living with HIV/AIDS who are homosexual would also face the death penalty for engaging in sexual relations. It is not simply the death penalty that is unacceptable in this case but the very fact of criminalising the identity of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex people on the basis of their sexuality.

Professor Sylvia Tamale (Dean of Law at the University of Makerere) argues that the Bill is in conflict with the Constitution of Uganda and international instruments such as the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We agree with her analysis. The Bill places Uganda outside of international law and therefore undermines confidence in its entire system of foreign relations. However, the flagrant abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex human rights and the deliberate incitement of hate would place Uganda among legal systems with no justice. This could not be the objective of the national Resistance Movement or any other political party in Uganda.

Professor Tamale holds that the proposed death penalty, life sentences and potential for blackmail of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people undermines individual rights and family life. She argues that the Bill goes much further than the unjust colonial Penal Code. Privacy, trust and confidentiality are destroyed as those who know a homosexual would be liable for imprisonment for up to three years if they do not report that person to the police. This places counsellors, priests, doctors or teachers who are sworn to uphold confidentiality in an impossible position. In addition, the Bill would punish all those involved in research or advocacy of issues pertaining to sexual orientation for up to 7 years in prison.

South Africa has seen the devastating and inhumane effects of state-sponsored discrimination and hate crimes. The family life of African people was criminalised through the pass laws. People in South Africa remember with deep regret and sadness that barely 20 years ago inter-racial sexual relations were decriminalised as they too were once seen as a threat to society and the family unit. As we move away from this shameful past and learn that a person’s sexuality goes to the core of their dignity, privacy, identity and freedom, we ask you not to entrench the colonial laws against private, adult same-sex relationships.

The Uganda Constitution protects freedom, equality and dignity for all and we urge you to respect this. We ask your Parliament to withdraw this Bill and to amend the Penal Code to respect the dignity, equality and privacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. Chapter 4 section 36 of the Ugandan Constitution calls for the protection of the rights of minorities. Homosexuals must be protected because they are vulnerable, endure hate, stigma, prejudice and state-sponsored discrimination.

Uganda has been through civil wars and dictatorship. Today, it has created a stable democracy. The Anti-Homosexual Bill (2009) will take Ugandan society and all of Africa back in the direction of hate, tribalism, regionalism, xenophobia, sexism and war. Our tasks are to overcome the real deprivations caused by hunger, ill-health, unemployment, unequal education, violence, unfair trade and labour practices. These are the real factors tearing at our social fabric, not the existence of homosexuals who have formed part of all societies at all times. These are the tasks for which all our governments including the government of Uganda must provide leadership - not the persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

We look forward to working with your government and to a speedy resolution of this painful interlude in the struggle for the dignity of every person in Africa.

Sincerely,

To support/sign on this letter please follow this link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGR2bEI4dTlHOHNTUmpyVWlsd3M1RGc6MA