Earlier this month, the court ruled that a Catholic Church-affiliated adoption agency is legally allowed to bar same-sex couples from applying to become foster parents.Ĭurrently, 11 US states allow private agencies to refuse to place children with same-sex couples, according to Al Jazeera. The US Supreme Court ruled that a Catholic organization can discriminate against LGBTQ+ people based on religious beliefs.Īs the latest legislative session of the US Supreme Court comes to an end, the court issued a decision that puts the future of LGBTQ+ rights in a precarious position. While many human rights advocates believe that President Yoweri Museveni will not assent to the bill, they are also worried that the nature of homophobia presented by government officials will lead to an increase in violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, as in the case of the 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act.
![when does gay pride month end when does gay pride month end](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190523162408-pride-and-progress-background-texture-2-large-169.jpg)
LGBTQ+ rights organizations like Sexual Minorities Uganda have highlighted the homophobic language and called on the international community to speak out against the bill. Sexual Minorities Uganda | SMUG May 5, 2021 If you need copies of the bill and committee report, don't hesitate to reach out. The Sexual Offenses Bill was introduced under the guise of protecting victims of sexual violence, according to Human Rights Watch, but contains provisions that punish consensual, same-sex acts, discriminate based on HIV status, and allow the death penalty to be enforced for certain offenses.Īs a network of sexual minorities in Uganda, here is our collective statement regarding the recent Sexual Offences Bill passed by Parliament. Now, the Ugandan Parliament has once again passed a bill that seeks to further criminalize homosexuality. In 2009, a member of parliament introduced a bill seeking to punish homosexuality as a capital offense, leading it to be known as the “Kill the Gays Bill.” While the Anti-Homosexuality Act was eventually struck down in 2014, violence against LGBTQ+ people in Uganda surged due to the outspoken, homophobic remarks promoted by government officials. According to the Franklin & Marshall Global Barometer of Gay Rights, which measures how well countries protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people, Uganda scores 11%, meaning the nation persecutes people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.Ĭonsensual, same-sex relations are illegal in Uganda as a result of colonial-age laws that still exist in the country, but that has not stopped politicans from attempting to further criminalize homosexuality.
![when does gay pride month end when does gay pride month end](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/06/20/us/politics/15dc-scotus-lgbt/15dc-scotus-lgbt-mediumSquareAt3X.jpg)
Uganda has remained staunchly homophobic both in terms of legislation and the general sentiment of government officials. The Ugandan Parliament passed the Sexual Offenses Bill, further criminalizing same-sex sexual acts. Here are six issues the global LGBTQ+ community is still fighting in their quest for equal rights.
![when does gay pride month end when does gay pride month end](https://www.ucf.edu/news/files/2022/04/QuarterWidthWebsiteBanner-MakeASplash-DOG-450x450-300x300.jpg)
These wins are a testament to the power of advocacy as Global Citizens demand that government leaders protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people - but there is still more work to be done.Īs part of our efforts to promote equity and justice for all, join us by expanding your advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community past June and recognizing the areas where progress still needs to be made.