Perhaps you would be happier if America banned free speech so as to preserve “decency” but most Americans find such a loss of freedom to be abhorent.

Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the “wrong kind of person” for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.
I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.

As for “black people everywhere”, I would caution that we consider for a moment the great number of black leaders in this country who are unabashed in their support, who are willing to call civil rights for gay men and women by that term, and who speak against discrimination directed towards our community.

Yes, like all communities there are some who are bigoted. And there are some are very supportive on some issues but who have not yet adopted full equality for gay men and women. And it is probably true to say that there is at this particular moment in time less support for gay marriage and other forms of equality in black America than in other ethnic subgroups.

But it is a gross misstatement to suggest that “black people everywhere” are homophobic. It just isn’t true.

On a personal note, it was a black friend that I first trusted enough to tell that I’m gay. And I have had many interactions with black heterosexuals since that time and found that most were very supportive.

Sorry for expressing myself that way. I’m just angry at the whole situation. I don’t want to appear prejudiced, but most black people everywhere seem to show contempt for LGBTs. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve been thinking the only reason South Africa has gay marriage is b/c of its white population.

R Holmes’ question is the right one: is there anything we, non-Ugandans can do? Certainly we can criticize those in the West (as BTB has been doing) who are encouraging and supporting those who are pushing anti-gay (and anti-democratic, anti-free speech, etc.) measures here. We can contact people here in Uganda to ask them what kinds of support would be helpful. We can contact our elected officials and ask them to push for diplomatic pressure to be applied to condemn laws which criminalize homosexuality and which restrict free speech. We can also write letters to the daily papers here, which are too often vehicles for unadulterated anti-gay bile.

At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that there is a real danger of creating a backlash against perceived outside interference in internal Ugandan (and Kenyan or African politics). It’s not uncommon for political and social debates (not just on gay issues) to descend into arguments about what’s “African” and what’s “un-African.” It can be tricky to find ways to be supportive of African LGBTs without placing them in an even more vulnerable position.