David Kato, a Ugandan gay rights activist was murdered in his home last night.
Police are claiming that it was a 'robber' and that there have been several attacks and murders in his area.
Update: I highly recommend Troutfishing's excellent series on the spread of Christianist extremism.
Really? As many of you know, Uganda is currently a highly restrictive country for LGBT persons - with homosexuality itself being illegal. Urged on by American evangelicals, political elements of the country have advocated for the death penalty for homosexual activity.
I find it a little t0o convenient that he was simply killed in a home invasion, especially after his information was made public by an anti-gay newspaper. Per the article from Yahoo.
http://news.yahoo.com/...
KAMPALA, Uganda – A prominent Ugandan gay rights activist whose picture was published by an anti-gay newspaper next to the words "Hang Them" was bludgeoned to death. Police said Thursday his sexual orientation had nothing to do with the killing and that one "robber" had been arrested.
A Ugandan tabloid newspaper called Rolling Stone listed a number of men they said were homosexuals last year, including Kato. Kato's picture was published on the front page, along with his name and a headline that said "Hang Them."
This must be investigated! The American public and church going christians needs to know what their contributions to evangelical churches is bringing about in Uganda and across the globe.
What is happening in Uganda may seem far off, and it may not seem relevant or pertinent to the majority of Americans. However, extremism takes many forms and what can happen in Uganda can happen here. In fact, I believe that for many evangelical groups, this is a desired outcome for the future here in America.
The more this happens, the more it becomes accepted, provides an avenue for extremism and hate to take root.
Update II: See An Affirming Flame's diary and Radical Realist's as well. More information and background.