Is Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill dead?

It appears as though Uganda’s controversial anti-homosexuality bill is dead.

The New Civil Rights Movement; Blabbeando and other bloggers posted last night that Ugandan media indicated the measure, which would impose the death penalty upon anyone found guilty of repeated same-sex acts, will no longer remain on the table. The proposal sparked widespread outrage among LGBT activists inside the East African country and around the world. And gay activist David Kato’s murder in late January highlighted the plight of LGBT Ugandans.

This potential development comes only days after the United Nations' Human Rights Council voted to condemn anti-LGBT violence. President Obama also highlighted the issue in a Jan. 27 statement that urged Ugandan authorities to investigate Kato's murder.

"LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights," he stressed. "My administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad. We do this because we recognize the threat faced by leaders like David Kato, and we share their commitment to advancing freedom, fairness, and equality for all."

Ugandan bishop describes gay activist's murder as "tragic and cruel"

In an open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Anglican leaders, retired Bishop Christopher Senyonjo described Ugandan gay activist David Kato's murder as "tragic and cruel."

Senyonjo, who opened St. Paul’s Centre for Equality and Reconciliation in Kampala after he retired as bishop of West Buganda a decade ago, urged Rowan Williams and his fellow bishops to do more to combat homophobia, anti-LGBT discrimination and violence.

"A loving Anglican Communion should not keep quiet when the Rolling Stone tabloid in Uganda openly supports the “hanging of the homos,” including a fellow bishop who pleads for their inclusion and non-discrimination" wrote Senyonjo. "Silence has the power to kill. We have witnessed its destruction this past week in the tragic and cruel murder of David Kato."

Senyonjo's statement comes nearly a week after New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and others held vigil for Kato near the United Nations. Roughly 50 people protested outside the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Feb. 3, to draw attention to what they describe as The Fellowship's connection to supporters of a Uganda bill that would impose the death penalty upon anyone found guilty of repeated same-sex acts.

Congressmembers Barney Frank [D-Mass.], Tammy Baldwin [D-Wis.], David Cicilline [D-R.I.], Jared Polis [D-Colo.] and Donald Payne [D-N.J.] are scheduled to conduct a hearing on Capitol Hill on Friday, Feb. 11, about anti-LGBT violence in Uganda.

New Yorkers hold vigil for murdered Ugandan gay activist

Hours after LGBT activists protested outside the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., New Yorkers held vigil for murdered Ugandan gay activist David Kato near the United Nations.

Bill Alatriste sent Boy in Bushwick these shots of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Councilmember Daniel Dromm [D-Jackson Heights] and others who took part.

Egypt, Uganda and the global village

The ongoing anti-Hosni Mubarak protests in Egypt and to a somewhat lesser extent Ugandan gay activist David Kato's murder have made headlines over the past week. And both stories raise questions mere sound bites and tweets cannot answer. Who will prove a suitable alternative to Mubarak if his regime falls? Should anti-gay American evangelicals who operate inside Uganda be held accountable for Kato's death? And should Americans even care about these and other events that take place thousands of miles away from the homeland?

My friend Paul became an American citizen at Boston's Faneuil Hall on Thursday, Jan. 27. One of the most poignant parts of the ceremony was when the judge asked the new citizens to stand after he called out their countries of origin: Angolans, Brazilians, Haitians, Jamaicans, Sierra Leoneans, British and Egyptians--yes, Egyptians--were among them. This simple, yet powerful act once again demonstrated the world is a global village. And Egypt, Uganda and other countries that continue to dominate headlines are not as far away as one may naively think.