The Bisexuals In Uganda

In the past few months, so many of the BLGT blogs and organizations have been writing about the possible anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. Proposed by an extremist religious group . There are also rumors that some homophobic politicians in the USA here have been supporting this group.  The bill makes any type of behavior that is not heterosexual a crime punishable by death, and it goes after anyone who in any way helps BLGT people—if you are a parent or a friend who knows someone who is queer and you don’t turn them into the state, you could be executed as well! It has been proposed supposedly to “protect children from homosexuals who recruit.” There has been much pressure from both domestic and international groups on the Ugandan government to drop the proposed bill, and many Ugandans of all orientations and political affiliations are against it as well. The most recent development is that instead of execution, BLGT people and their allies might face life imprisonment. Even more disturbing is that a chapter of the Kill the Gays movement is organizing in Newark, New Jersey.

As I’ve been reading about this bill, I’ve wondered where the bisexuals in Uganda stand in all of this. Obviously many of them face the same threat as the gay Ugandans, but they may or may not experience threats unique to them as well—and are they even out as bisexuals and visible in this fight for human rights? If some of them are married to opposite sex partners, and could possibly hide—dare they risk coming out and fighting alongside their queer brothers and sisters, even though they risk imprisonment, torture, and death? The answer turns out to be a resounding yes.

I got invited to this face book group, and I started researching more about bisexual organizations in Uganda and what they are doing to combat the bill. I found a blog and a listing about Bisexual Movement Uganda. On a list of BLGT organizations on Wikipedia, this group is listed as “a group of university students fighting for a livable environment for all LGBTs in Uganda.” Their website says: “The vision of Bisexual Movement Uganda is to have a well organized Bisexual Movement in Uganda which is aware and capable of advocating and defending for their fundamental Human Rights.” It goes on to list some great goals and objectives, enumerate the many problems facing all BLGT people in Uganda, and explain how Bisexual Movement Uganda is working with other Ugandan BLGT groups to try and change social attitudes and fight for equality.

Bisexual Movement Uganda fights against the bill and for the rights of all BLGT people in Uganda, while affirming and contributing to a positive and visible bisexual identity, and giving bisexual people in Uganda a place to turn to that reaffirms their needs and identity. The overall message is one of empowerment and unity, and a courageous way for Uganda’s bisexual community to show that they are not afraid to speak up and stand by their BLGTQ brothers and sisters.

Here in our own bisexual community, as we also join in the fight to help all BLGT people in Uganda, let’s especially remember to do what we can to help out  Bisexual Movement Uganda, as well as other organizations fighting for BLGTQ rights in Uganda, by spreading the word about its existence, giving donations, and any other way we can.

To find out more information check out these websites:

Bisexual Movement Uganda

The Text of Uganda’s Propsed Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Uganda’s Government Softens Proposed Anti-Gay Law

Fresh Row Hits Proposed Gays Law

Uganda’s Main Opposition Party Comes Out Against Anti-Homosexuality Act

Uganda MP urges death for gay sex

Uganda MP Bahati defends gay-sex ‘death penalty’ bill

Fundamentalists Tied to Uganda’s Antigay Law

Uganda’s Anti-Gay Bill: Inspired by the U.S.

International Outcry Over Proposed Ugandan Anti-Gay Law

Uganda’s anti-gay law riles U.S.

Save LGBT Ugandans from a mass death sentence!

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill; The Great Divide

Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” Movement Organizing in Newark, NJ

Bio: Maria aka Mizz M: I'm a 30 year old woman recovering from Lyme Disease and living with chronic illness. I live and work in Washington DC. I am working hard on getting my health better and trying to live a fuller life. I'm a bi woman who came out in early 2008. I want to meet more BTLG people, as well as pan, queer, questioning, trans, intersex, asexual, ally-and anyone else involved in the fight. :) And DEFINITELY more bi people!!!!! :) :) Website: http://www.bisocialnetwork.com Yahoo: blue_star_at_sunrise