‘Kill the Gays’ Bill up for Debate in Uganda

According to a Parliament of Uganda order paper published today, a second reading of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 is imminent.

The legislation, dubbed the “Kill the Gays” bill, would effectively make homosexuality a capital offence. Related offenses of “promoting” homosexuality could carry the same punishment.

While the order paper doesn’t make it certain the reading will be soon, Jim Burroway of Box Turtle Bulletin has done the math and considers it likely the bill will be addressed by the Parliament of Uganda on Wednesday, May 10.

There are several petitions circulating. I’m generally skeptical of internet petitions — do they really achieve anything? — but at this stage, anything’s worth a shot. Click here to sign the All Out petition.

For a concise run-down of the facts on the bill, see my previous post: Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009: Just the Facts.

Update: Here’s the email I sent to my local MP, Rick Dykstra, asking him to raise the issue with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.