Murdered for Being Gay: In Memory of David Kato - NoMoreDownLow.TV Newsbreak

One year ago, Ugandan LGBT activist David Kato was brutally murdered. NoMoreDownLow.TV takes a look at the tragedy and explores LGBT issues in countries where there are no or very limited equality for LGBT individuals and same sex relationships.
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In this segment, NoMoreDownLow.TV talks to Cary Alan Johnson, International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission. He tell us, "As gay and lesbian movements around the world, particularly in Africa, grow in strength and creativity and numbers, there has been high levels of push back. High levels of backlash."

Was David Kato killed because he was gay? Or was he in the wrong place at the wrong time? Human rights campaigners say that gay Ugandans have faced weeks of attack and intimidation. David Kato, in fact, was beaten to death with a hammer in his home. He died on the way to the hospital.

The anti-gay propaganda that led to David Kato's murder was saying that "gays were recruiting one million children by raiding schools."

Ngo Okafor, a Nigerian boxer, commented on the tragedy saying, "People fear that a gay person would now come in and (you know) and change their children. Nobody is trying to control anybody."

Questions still arise as to whether it was a circumstance of robbery or if it was because he was gay.

Jimmy Jean-Louis, an actor from Haiti, told us about the murder, "It is unacceptable to have this kind of situation to be happening." He added, "We have to spread the message, speak it up and hopefully we can get the attention of people that can actually change behavior of thousands, maybe millions."

But can it only be a coincidence that his death came on the heels of a tabloid newspaper report that outed 100 Ugandans? It not only published names and photos, but addresses of those assumed to be a part of the LGBT community. The headlines: "100 top homos" and the caption "Hang them."

Nadia Buari, an actor in Ghana, tried to explain why it may have happened, "Africans, we have a strict culture and a strict religion."

On the African continent, homosexuality is illegal in 36 countries. And the fuel of hatred is rampant as mobs go after those suspected of being gay with little regard for human rights.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told us, "First and foremost, we can give a message to the rest of the world that human rights are important and human rights everywhere in the world are part of American foreign policy."

During the Pan African Film Festival, the films "Camaroon" and "Children of God" explore same gender relationships in the African diaspora. The films open the door to understanding LGBT people and our relationships.

Bahamian actor Van Brown, who stars in "Children of God" said "This film has enhanced my life tremendously because now there is a part of my being that is more conscious in terms of that area (of LGBT struggles with equality)." He added, "So anytime a friend of mine is telling a joke that is geared towards gay people, I say that I don't want you to think that that's comfortable."

"It's going to take awhile, but it's beginning to sink in little by little. They are beginning to accept it," said Monalisa Okojie, a Nigerian.

Actress Phylicia Rashad, best known as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, told us, "Mothers need to advocate for the rights of gay babies. Mothers need to advocate for the rights of gay babies"

"The United States government has also put money and resources into helping to build LGBT movements around the world, so it's a new day in Washington and we hope to see it continue," said Cary Alan Johnson, International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

In February 2012, a new documentary about David Kato's life called "Call me Kuchu" will debut at the Berlin Film Festival.
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Find more stories on our website at http://www.NoMoreDownLow.TV
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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• David Kato
• Cary Alan Johnson
• LGBT
• gay
• lesbian
• homosexuality
• African
• Uganda
• 2012
• gay in Africa
• gay in Uganda
• Jimmy Jean-Louis
• Colin Powell
• Phylicia Rashad
• The Cosby Show
• Pan African Film Festival
• PAFF 2012
• Pan African Film Festival 2012
• Van Brown
• Children of God
• Call me Kuchu
• Mark Noble
• No More Down Low

[aliciabanks]

more proof that black homohaters are the worst in the world!

shame!!!

[krazyk789]

i remember this really well i actually made a vid and put it on fb uging people to sign the petition to stop the ugandan anti gay bill.... His story inspired me soo much and really touched me

[aloquicious]

I have a problem with how Nadia Buari responded "Africans have a strict culture and strict religion" that's why they murder people for being Gay? People who murder people for being Gay are delusional and despicable!!

[GodsSonJasonJ]

Sad that there is such ignorance and hatred. Inspiring to see so many however progressive thinking and using their voice for change and justice.

[crystalevans1954]

I personally think that .Africans are afraid of homosexuality. They believe the garbage that they are told by the church that the LGBT community wants to recruit their children. How can anyone recruit a person to be gay is beyond me?

[ciel222]

VERY NICE .

THERE'S A LOT OFHOPE. THOSE OF US WHO STAND FOR EQUALITY HAVE

TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND NEVER STOP. AND DIMINISH HATES , LACK OF UNDERSTANDING, IGNORANCE TO A VERY VERY LOW PERCENTAGE LIKE A GRAIN OF SAND.

[worldviewtuber]

Now that's an irony - American money going into 'supporting advocacy' for '3rd world' LGBTQ organisations and movements!!! Did not the brother see the hard swallow bitter irony in that statement?!! Is it not the case that that is just another way of showing a white supremacist arrogance to Black/3rd world governments and peoples - while in the US tacitly/covertly 'encourages' the suppression of those 'rights' for LGBTQ people in your country - regardless of race?! That the politics of denial!!

[lloyd614]

It's time to STAND UP!!!

[Mr247star]

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THEM!!!! GOD HELP US ALL!!!