Rt Rev Christopher Ssenyonjo, a church leader who campaigns for gay rights speaks out as the Ugandan anti-gay bill looms again:
Ugandan bishop speaks out as anti-gay bill looms again
From Ekklesia (UK)
As legislators in Uganda prepare to re-open debate on a bill that would harshly punish homosexuals, a church leader who campaigns for gay rights has renewed his call for tolerance and compassion – writes Fredrick Nzwili.
The Rt Rev Christopher Ssenyonjo, former Anglican bishop of West Buganda diocese, said in an 18 November 2011 interview with ENInews that fear of attack among lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people, or LGBTs, was increasing each day with many being forced to shift houses.
“People have to be more tolerant. We have to make them understand that homosexuals are not different from them as human beings. [Gay] people are suffering and we believe the problem is in failing to understand them,” said Ssenyonjo from Kampala, Uganda’s capital.
Discussions on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 which would punish homosexual acts with the death penalty or long imprisonment were postponed in May after parliament adjourned.