seminar seeks cure for ugandan homosexuals

By: Nomancotsho Pakade (BTM Link Programme Coordinator)

UGANDA – 4 March 2008: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activists will be meeting today to discuss how they will react to a 5 - 7 March seminar which aims to unravel the causes of homosexuality, explore possible treatment for and provide tips for preventing homosexual behavior among youth.

The seminar has been organised by Family Life Network, a Ugandan NGO that works to restore morals in society through training.

It aims to equip Ugandans with information and skills to fight what has been labeled a “spiraling promotion” of homosexuality in the country.

Executive Director of Family Life Network, Stephen Langa said in an open invitation letter to parents, guardians and concerned persons, that the country is presently under extreme pressure from homosexual groups to de-criminalize homosexuality.

He added that this could be the result of a December 2008 court victory, in the case of Victor Mukasa and Oyo Yvonne vs Attorney General, which concluded that homosexuals should enjoy same rights as everyone else in the country and that it is illegal to discriminate against homosexuals.

“Today, the well funded and well organised homosexual machinery is taking one country after another by de-criminalising homosexual practices and legalizing gay marriages”, Langa said adding, “the seminar seeks to expose the homosexual agenda, their tactics, strategy and methods of recruitment as well as provide information on how to respond to the homosexual agenda in an organisation, community or nation.”

He accused the media of “promoting the homosexual lifestyle” by circulating information about homosexuality and gay activists of “recruiting youngsters using a variety of methods.

“For instance, [same sex] pornography is a tool used by homosexuals as a first step towards introducing homosexuality”, he claimed.

Langa revealed that his grassroots work with about 400 000 young people in Ugandan schools and society has shown that there is a “big connection between homosexuality and pornography.”

“The seminar seeks to help restore people who are broken and if the brokenness comes from homosexuality, we will deal with it”, Langa said.

Scott Lively founder of Abiding Truth Ministries and Don Schmierer, leader of His Servants and board member of Exodus International which offers homosexual recovery counseling, are amongst the guest speakers for this seminar.

“Everyone is invited, including homosexuals as long as they behave in a proper and civilized manner”, Langa concluded.