In the wake of new anti-gay laws in Nigeria, whippings, mobs and persecution

[cali]

In January, Nigeria passed harsh new anti-gay laws.

Gay men dragged from homes, brutally beaten, by Nigerian mob

Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/news/world/gay-men-dragged-from-homes-brutally-beaten-by-nigerian-mob/article/371008#ixzz2vUJaK1Yf

Nigeria gays: 20 lashes for 'homosexual offences'

Confessions had been forced from the Muslim men after they were beaten up in custody, a rights activist said.

They were among a group of people arrested late last year.

Homosexual acts are illegal in the West African state under both Islamic and secular law - the latter was tightened earlier this year.

<snip>

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26469501

Nigeria Tries to ‘Sanitize’ Itself of Gays

The young man cried out as he was being whipped on the courtroom bench. The bailiff’s leather whip struck him 20 times, and when it was over, the man’s side and back were covered with bruises.

Still, the large crowd outside was disappointed, the judge recalled: The penalty for gay sex under local Islamic law is death by stoning.

“He is supposed to be killed,” the judge, Nuhu Idris Mohammed, said, praising his own leniency on judgment day last month at the Shariah court here. The bailiff demonstrated the technique he used: whip at shoulder level, then forcefully down.

The mood is unforgiving in this north Nigeria metropolis, where nine others accused of being gay by the Islamic police are behind the central prison’s high walls. Stones and bottles rained down on them outside the court two weeks ago, residents and officials said; some in the mob even wanted to set the courtroom ablaze, witnesses said.


<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/world/africa/nigeria-uses-law-and-whip-to-sanitize-gays.html?_r=0

[Catherina]

1. Ugh. Rec'd

It's taking all my self control not to start screaming and explode.

[shenmue]

2. Same here

I wish the UN would step in.

[cali]

3. I don't know what the U.N could do

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Kick for more exposure.

I am really flummoxed. In a day and age when we see most countries moving forward, others are leaping way back into the past. Some states are stalled, but others seem to be going out of their way to attack gays.

[cali]

5. kick for the hearbreak, kick for the hypocrisy

there are people here who just use gay issues for political reasons.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. .

[Le Taz Hot]

7. And where the HELL is the Pope on this?

Yes, I'm aware that it's the AMERICAN TALIBORNAGAINS that have incited this hatred of gays but since this is supposed to be a kinder-and-gentler Pope, where the hell is he?

Edited: Original post said 47% of the country is Catholic. I was in error on that.

[fishwax]

8. The Catholic population isn't nearly that high

Don't get me wrong, the pope should still address it--but I think that about 47% of the country is Christian, with about a quarter of those Christians being Catholics.

[cali]

10. 42% of Uganda is Catholic- at least as of 2002

84% is Christian.

<snip>

According to the census of 2002, Christians made up about 84% of Uganda's population.[106] The Roman Catholic Church has the largest number of adherents (41.9%), followed by the Anglican Church of Uganda (35.9%). Evangelical and Pentecostal churches claim the rest of the Christian population. There's a growing number of Presbyterian denominations like the Presbyterian Church in Uganda, the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Uganda and the Evangelical Free Church in Uganda with hundreds of affiliating congregations. The next most reported religion of Uganda is Islam, with Muslims representing 12% of the population.[106]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda#Religion

[fishwax]

16. True--almost 40% in Cameroon, too

[Le Taz Hot]

11. Changed it.

Thanks.

[fishwax]

17. your point still very much remains

and, as noted upthread, the catholic populations in countries with similar laws is very high.

[cali]

9. Absolutely.

There has been some timid condemnation over the past few days, but it's weak sauce indeed. And the Pope hasn't said word one.

<snip>

Meanwhile, Cardinal Peter Turkson has criticized the newly signed Uganda's anti-gay law and called for the harsh penalties it legislates for to be scrapped Catholic, Herald reports.

"Homosexuals are not criminals and should not be sentenced to life in prison," said Cardinal Turkson of Ghana, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on March 07

<snip>

http://allafrica.com/stories/201403102022.html

[seveneyes]

12. The story only mentions Islamic Police, Shariah court and other Muslim mayhem

How much sway does the Pope have over Islamic atrocities?

[theHandpuppet]

13. And we have to ask, where is the outrage from our own country, as well

Our government didn't hesitate to soundly and publicly condemn Uganda's anti-gay laws, even though a number of other countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon and our "pal" in the ME, Saudi Arabia, have equally oppressive laws. But of course, they all have one thing Uganda hasn't got, and it involves a simple three letter word. Three guesses and the first two don't count.

The measure of our government's outrage against the persecution of LGBTs abroad depends solely on games of political and economic chess. I have a couple of links that outline anti-gay laws in Africa and around the world, many of them our so-called "allies".

http://allafrica.com/stories/201402281416.html (A fairly comprehensive look at anti-gay laws in African nations)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-kelly/10-key-us-allies-with-ant_b_3984532.html (And no, I'm not a Putinista -- this article just provided a handy link)

With regard to the Pope's silence, it really is telling, primarily because Bishops and Archbishops in Nigeria, as well as in Cameroon, Uganda and other African nations, joined with evangelical hatemongers to fan the flames of bigotry and even came out in support of the new anti-gay laws. But he can't exactly condemn the persecution of gays in Africa and rein in his own Bishops there when the USCCB right here at home is waging its own war of anti-gay legislation and lobbying.

The rights of women and LGBTs are but pawns in a global chess game of economics, resources, religion and power. And just like in chess, those pawns can be quickly sacrificed for the particular "end game". In the meanwhile, we can wait for a word from Rome or an offer of asylum from our own country to LGBT refugees. The silence will tell us all we need to know.

[Le Taz Hot]

15. Your analysis is dead on.

This president hasn't exactly been leading the way in LGBT issues. Had to be lead kicking and screaming to marriage equality. I don't have a TV service but I would imagine the MSM isn't exactly opening their programs with the persecutions either

[Bonobo]

14. K&R

I would like to see more use of hate crime legislation in the US as well. Maybe then we will have fewer homophobic ambassadors running around the world promoting hate.

[Zorra]

18. If the US had any real integrity, it would cut off all aid to countries with legalized hate. nt

[SomethingFishy]

22. And offer refuge to anyone who is persecuted...

fast track them to citizenship.

[sabrina 1]

19. One way for this country and other Western nations, if they have similar non-profit laws is to tax

all Religious Groups, and if that takes too long, definitely those who are in Uganda eg, don't know about Nigeria but will look it up, stoking the hatred that leads to these laws should have their non-profit status instantly removed.

The pope and ALL religious leaders of any denomination SHOULD be loudly speaking out against these horrors.

Many members of many churches/denominations, are urging their religious leaders to speak out on Gay Rights, especially in countries like Uganda, Nigeris and Camaroon.

http://www.thenation.com/article/178630/abandoned-and-imprisoned-being-gay-cameroon

Anyone who wants to join the effort to force leaders, like the Pope, and other Religious leaders to speak out strongly against these laws, can use this resource where Catholic groups, among others, are petitioning the Vatican asking the Pope to speak out.

http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2014/02/more_news_about_christians_fighting_for_lgbt_rights.html


For Catholics, there is a prepared message to send to the Vatican near the end of the page. And there are several links to religious organizations where Gays can go for support along with their families and friends.

Governments, such as Canada, the US, the UK have spoken out, but more than just condemnation needs to be done. Take away the non profit status of those churches who in any way contribute to this hate, and stop any funding, Uganda eg, to countries that pass these laws.

[theHandpuppet]

20. Governments will offer nothing but empty rhetoric

Too much oil and other natural resources at stake, in many cases. We've tolerated outrageous abuses against LGBTs and women in the ME for how many years now, all for the love of oil. The only countries who are going to be publicly condemned are those who have nothing we want.

I had read some reports that there was some discussion about our govt. cutting off funds for Uganda's HIV/AIDS treatment programs in protest of the new laws. That makes absolutely no sense to me.

Thanks for posting the links to those petitions. I fear that as time passes the motivation to act will fade.

[Bluenorthwest]

21. Pope Superstar remains silent, his DU promotion crew continues to claim he supports

civil unions and refuses to judge, but Uganda's largest religious group belongs to Francis, he is their leader. Nigeria is about half Christian, with 25% of the Christians being RCC. Francis should address Nigeria as well.
Francis spent years prior to becoming Pope ranting against LGBT people, accusing us of being demonic tools, devices in Satan's plan to attack God. Ugandan Catholics listened to him. American Catholics spent the entire ramp up time to the law not condemning their counterparts in Uganda nor urging Francis to do so, but instead they promoted this deception about Francis being pro gay and all about the vulnerable people.

[Behind the Aegis]

23. kick again