A Stand for Justice: Demonstration and Speak-Out Against the Anti-LGBT Legislation Currently Being Considered In Uganda

HUNDREDS TO PROTEST AGAINST PENDING GAY GENOCIDE IN UGANDA

WHO: ORGANIZED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, LAURA SMYTH

WHEN: Wednesday, March 24 6 PM to 7:30 PM

WHERE: LA City Hall, South Entrance 1st St. between Spring & Main

A Stand for Justice

Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to attend this protest against the anti-gay (LGBT) legislation currently being considered in Uganda. The demonstration has been organized by high school student Laura Smyth, to speak out against the proposed bill which would make being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender punishable by death — it is effectively a mandate for the mass slaughter of LGBT citizens.

{{{{{Rex feels the need to insert information about the bill. The “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009″ would imprison for life anyone convicted of “the offense of homosexuality,” punish “aggravated homosexuality” — including repeat offenders and anyone who is HIV-positive and has gay sex — with the death penalty, forbid “promotion of homosexuality” and incarcerate gay-rights defenders, and jail individuals in positions of authority for up to three years if they fail to report within 24 hours the existence of all LGBT people or sympathizers known to them. We now return to our regularly scheduled press-release program…}}}}}

The legislation would also target individuals or organizations that support LGBT people (which extends to AIDS prevention and treatment organizations).

“There are many people who still have no idea that this legislation exists, and we need to raise awareness within our communities,” says Laura. “It is crucial that we speak out to prevent the legalization of government-sanctioned slaughter

- Speakers will include youth and adults alike:

o Robin Tyler
o Bamby Salcedo
o Reverend Neil Thomas
o Rodney Scott
o Beth Grant
o Armen Sarkissian
o Ariel Bustamante
o Isaiah Baiseri
o Estuardo Munoz
o

Supported by Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Equal Roots, Equality California, Lifeworks, Equal Action, and dozens of other organizations and gay-straight alliances.

Links to articles regarding the proposed legislation:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121485018

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amnesty-international/anti-homosexuality-bill-c_b_421608.html

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders