They were protesting in solidarity with Ugandan LGBTs against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which includes long jail time and even execution for LGBTQ+ people and supporters.
Many were Ugandan LGBTs who had fled persecution in their home country and are members of the African Equality Foundation and Out & Proud African LGBTI. They were joined by the UK Alliance for Global Equality, UK Black Pride, ACT-UP London, Rainbow Migration, Peter Tatchell Foundation and STOPAIDS.
STOPAIDS organised the vigil with Convening for Equality Uganda and Uganda Key Population Consortium.
Uganda’s parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 (AHB23) on March 21, and on April 20, President Museveni informed Parliament that it should make changes before he signs it. The Biden administration has called the legislation “one of the most extreme anti-LGBTQI+ laws in the world.”
The legislation stipulates the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, 20 years in prison for the “promotion of homosexuality”, 10 years in prison for “attempted homosexuality”, and six months in prison or a fine of $28,000 for failing to report someone who has violated any provision of the bill.
Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner and founder of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said: “We are urging the UK Government to impose a travel ban on Ugandan lawmakers and clergy who supported the Anti-Homosexuality bill. It is outrageous that the UK has a travel ban on Uganda’s democratic opposition leader, Bobi Wine, but not on the legislators who voted to execute LGBTQ+ people.
“The Uganda Bill would outlaw almost every aspect of LGBTQ+ existence, including LGBTQ+ identity, advocacy, funding and organisation. The bill violates Sections 2 and 4 of the Commonwealth Charter. It also breaches Article 21 of the Uganda constitution & Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter of Human & People’s Rights – all of which guarantee equal treatment and prohibit discrimination.”
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