{UAH} DOCTORS PLACE AN AD IN UGANDAN PRESS DECLARING ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH

DOCTORS PLACE AN AD IN UGANDAN PRESS DECLARING ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Feb 09, 2014.

In the continued controversial drama of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill,  an open letter appeared this week in a Uganda newspaper, sponsored by more than 60 doctors and eight organizations, in the context of President Museveni’s inquiry on homosexuality, as to whether or not it is an abnormality worthy of pity or if it is a choice and hence a vice.

The full page he letter focuses on “areas of particular concern to us as public health experts, beyond our fundamental support for the human rights and human dignity of all Ugandans: 1) the overwhelming evidence about homosexuality and the myths perpetuated by the Bill and 2) the likely public health implications of this Bill, should it become law in Uganda.”

Organizations signing the letter include the International AIDS Society, Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, HIV Medicine Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Center for Global Health Policy (which produces this blog), and the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Uganda, Fenway Health, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Uganda, and the Desmond Tutu HIV Center, South Africa.

Legal authorities and human rights defenders in Uganda believe that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which passed Parliament in December 2013 and is now pending the President’s possible assent,  violates Uganda’s Constitution and the International Declaration of Human Rights.

___________________________________

Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower