From ENS-
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.
Christopher Ssenyonjo, former Anglican bishop of West Buganda diocese, said in an Nov. 18 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. The bill also proposes to criminalize various related acts, including the jailing of people who fail to turn over gay people to the police, and those who "promote" homosexuality.
The legislation which was introduced in October 2009, has drawn wide condemnation from international faith and human rights groups.
"People are instigating to have the bill debated. This is creating much anxiety among gays and lesbians who keep guessing what will happen next," said Ssenyonjo, who was deprived of his clerical roles by the Ugandan church in 2002 over his support for gays. He formed a church in 2006 called the Charismatic Church of Uganda and runs the St. Paul's Foundation, which works with LGBT people and other marginalized groups. Ssenyonjo began counseling gays and lesbians and lobbying for their rights in 1998.
More here-
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_130551_ENG_HTM.htm
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