Recent developments in Uganda have proposed an “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” that would criminalize homosexuality between consenting adults, and expand the penal code to punish ‘aggravated homosexuality’, including activity by ‘serial offenders’ and those who are found to be HIV positive. Such a bill would seek to punish LGBT ‘offenders’ with life imprisonment and, for ‘aggravated homosexuality’, recommend the death penalty. Similar to the UK’s own ‘Section 28’ amendment in 1988, the Bill would also criminalize the ‘promotion of homosexuality’, prohibiting the funding of services aimed at servicing the LGBT population, and threatening some HIV/AIDS prevention services. Finally, this Bill would also recommend life imprisonment for individuals who fail to ‘inform’ on a gay couple.
It is our belief that such a Bill is contrary to the concept of responsible tourism and its emphasis on open, tolerant and inclusive societies that do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexuality.
We would like to invite our members operating holidays in Uganda to lend their support to the letter below, which will be addressed to the Honourable Serapio Rukundo, State Minister for Tourism and Wildlife in Uganda, urging him to use his influence to make representations within the government to reconsider their position.
To the Hon. Serapio Rukundo, Tourism Minister for Uganda,
We the under signed believe passionately in responsible tourism, and its potential to be a force for good in communities and conservation across Uganda.
At its heart responsible tourism depends on an openness and honesty between the tourist destination, local communities, tourists and the tourism industry regarding their expectations about tourism.
It is in this spirit that we are writing to you regarding the Ugandan Governments position regarding gay members of your community.
We, and the tourists we bring to your beautiful country every year, place immense value in open and tolerant societies regardless of race, religion and sexuality.
We urge you to make representations within your government to reconsider your position, which we think isolates Uganda from the world community in general, and the responsible tourism movement in particular.
We look forward to your response to our concerns.
With best regards
Justin Francis - MD, responsibletravel.com
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Supporters who have already signed our open letter:
Justin Francis, MD, responsibletravel.com
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