December 11, 2009 | Sex & Society

Uganda says it won't kill gays

Uganda is backing down on plans to introduce a bill that would see gays facing life imprisonment or even execution.

Governments around the world expressed their concerns over the bill, though only Sweden took a hard stand on the issue; the Swedish government suggested that all aid being sent to Uganda should be stopped if the bill were to pass.

The bill is still being pushed through the legislature, though the Minister for Ethics and Integrity, James Nsaba Buturo, said the law is more "refined." Gays will still be targeted for punishment, but will not be put to death. Homosexuals will likely be forced into treatment to be 'cured' of their queer tendencies. We wouldn't be surprised if torture and abuse were part of the prescription.

David Bahati, the man behind the bill, is now arguing that his bill was designed to protect children. Maybe he should be more concerned about Catholic priests ...

Uganda 'to remove death penalty from anti-gay bill' [Pink News]

Uganda to Drop Death Penalty, Life in Jail for Gays  [Bloomberg.com]