anti-gay activists protest as commonwealth summit opens

Source: Africa World News/ EARTHtimes

November 23, 2007: Scores of anti-gay activists protested in Kampala Friday minutes after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II opened the summit of Commonwealth heads of state. Demonstrators accused western countries of helping to spread the practice on the African continent.

The biennial conference, which is being attended by 48 heads of state and government representatives from the 53-nation club of countries formerly under British rule, will examine the issues of governance, human rights, environment and development.

The Ugandan government allowed officially demonstrations to be held in two places near the city centre. Several groups including the opposition and anti-gay pressure groups have taken part in the peaceful protests.

"Homosexuality is growing in Uganda and Africa in general. Some of our people are thriving on funding from gay activists from western nations," said one organizer of the rally, Pentecostal Pastor Solomon Male.

Led by religious leaders, university undergraduates in red gowns and married women held aloft placards reading: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman. Homosexuals need the truth to set them free."

The lesbian and gay population in Uganda is not known, but the numbers are believed to be increasing. However, many fear that if they "come out" the will be attacked.

"We are living in a global village as Commonwealth member states. Developed countries in the Commonwealth legalized homosexuality and influenced the poor states," Interfaith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality in Uganda which consists of religious groups in the country said.

"We are telling the queen that by embracing homosexuality, we shall not have kings and queens, a statement from the anti-gay group," it added.