Uganda's parliament has passed a law making it a crime to identify as LGBTQ.
Authorities now carry more powers to target gay Ugandans who already face
discrimination and violence from the government and gangs. Individuals in support of
the law claim that LGBTQ activities threaten the values in the religious and conservative
regions in East Africa. This new law punishes individuals for identifying as LGBTQ
person. The Ugandan government wants to erase the entire existence of any LGBTQ in
Uganda.
Uganda is not the first country in Africa to ban LGBTQ. Currently, more than 30
countries in Africa ban same-sex relations. However, Uganda is the first African country
to outlaw those individuals solely identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and
queer (LGBTQ).
Violations under the new law carry severe penalties such as life in prison for gay sex
and death for gay sex with individuals under 18 or when the gay individual is HIV
positive. President Yoweri Museveni will sign the legislation soon.