by Nikki Serapio, Manager, New Media Initiatives

One year ago, Ugandan parliamentarian David Bahati introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, a measure that seeks to impose the death penalty on LGBT HIV-positive citizens found to be having sex, as well as life sentences for LGBT Ugandans found to be (by a lay witness or the police) having sex.

First, the good news — the bill has stalled. Warren Throckmorton, a popular blogger and college professor who has followed the the Anti-Homosexuality Bill since its introduction, published an update today on the current status of the measure within the Uganda Parliament.

"...it remains under consideration by the [Ugandan Parliament's] Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee. According to Charles Tuhaise, a researcher in the Parliamentary Research service, no public hearings have been scheduled. A second reading cannot be scheduled until hearings have been conducted and a committee report has been prepared. Time is running out; the Ugandan elections are coming and the current Parliament ends inn May, 2011. Hon. David Bahati, the mover of the bill, has not responded to my questions about where he takes the bill from here."

In part, the bill was stalled after outcry and pressure from the Obama administration, the U.S. Congress, and a number of human rights organizations (including Advocates for Youth).

The bad news, though — as the advocacy group Sexual Minorities Uganda pointed out in a press release, the fact that the bill has not been signed into law has not stopped bigots and Ugandan media outlets from using it to incite violence and harassment against LGBT Ugandans:

"The bill has further led to increased violence incited by local media, particularly The Red Pepper tabloid and recently launched Rolling Stone newspaper. The headline of the Rolling Stone viciously screamed “100 pictures of Ugandan’s top homos leak- Hang them” in their Vol. 1 No. 05 October 02-09, 2010. They published pictures, names, residences and other details of LGBT activists and allies."

"'When my neighbors saw my picture in the paper, they were furious. They threw stones at me while I was in my house. I was so terrified somehow I managed to flee my home to safety.' said Stosh [Programme Coordinator, Kulhas Uganda]."

So, our work (via StandForUganda.com and other activism channels) continues. We know that you won't stop speaking out until the full rights and dignity of Uganda's LGBT citizens are respected and upheld. So we won't stop working alongside you until we reach that good day.