Lawmakers in the African country of Uganda proposed a law today that would result in the death penalty for all homosexual citizens infected with HIV and major jail time for gays and those who assist them in homosexual activity.

In their own words, the bill would require seven years in prison for anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality" and that any member of society with "religious, political, economic or social authority" who doesn't "report" a gay citizen could face three years jail time.

Gay Ugandans who are convicted of a homosexual act would be sentenced to life in prison, but worst of all, the policy would regulate a death sentence for "active homosexuals living with HIV or in the cases of same-sex rape." Needless to say, the bill has faced a backlash of opposition from the international community.

Openly gay Ugandan, David Cato

Brave local gay-rights activists in the region continue to fight for their rights, stating the bill would be counterproductive in the fight against HIV/AIDS. David Cato, an gay Ugandan who lost his job, was outed in the press, has been beaten up four times and arrested twice over his sexual orientation, believes the issue is "a question of visibility" and that the bill is in response to Africa's gay community becoming more vocal than ever.

"When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us," says Cato.

Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal.

The proposed law came after leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries came to educate the Ugandan community on ways of "curing" homosexuality through "therapy." Since the measure was introduced, however, at least one of those leaders has denounced this bill - along with many other liberal Christians in the United States.

Ugandan schoolteacher David Kisambira believes the growing gay community is all a game of copycat.

"The youths in secondary schools copy everything from the Western world and America," said Kisambira. "A good number of students have been converted into gays. We hear there are groups of people given money by some gay organizations in developed countries to recruit youth into gay activities."

It is deeply saddening that this news comes the day before Human Rights Day (tomorrow, December 10.) No one should ever face jail time or death over their sexual orientation. How does this news make you feel? What advice would you give to a homosexual individual living in Uganda - would you tell them to speak up for their rights or zip it and play safe?

via azcentral