Petrelis Files

GOP's Coburn Condemns
Uganda's Anti-Gay Hatred

As someone who has been in bed, politically speaking, with arch-conservative and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, and received much barbed criticism over it from leaders of both Gay Inc and AIDS Inc, I know exactly how problematic, to put it mildly, some of his actions and remarks about gays and HIV issues have been.

I've worked with Coburn and his staff on AIDS accountability issues in the past, and will continue to reach out to them when I need to on accountability concerns.

That defensive explanation out of the way, today I'm calling attention to a statement Coburn released through the gay GOP Proud org, strongly condemning the Anti-Homosexuality Bill pending before Uganda's legislature, and ask that you give the man his due on this matter:

"Over the past two decades, political, religious, and community leaders in Uganda have united to promote a rare, winning strategy against HIV that addresses the unique and common risks of every segment of society. Sadly, some who oppose Uganda's common sense ABC strategy are using an absurd proposal to execute gays to undermine this coalition and winning strategy. Officials in Uganda should come to their senses and take whatever steps are necessary to withdraw this proposal that will do nothing but harm a winning strategy that is saving lives."

As the GOP Proud release points out, our Democratic President, Barack Obama, has been silent on the situation for gays across Uganda the past few months. Let this point sink in for a few moments. A white-skinned, far-right Christian member of the U.S. Senate, through a gay advocacy org, is deploring the plight of gay Ugandans, while the African-American, moderate Christian occupant of the Oval Office, is mute.

Not only that, but I'm not aware of any significant actions by any White House or U.S. State Department officials, shaking a proverbial stick at Uganda over this outrageous situation. Heck, if the Obama administration has taken concrete steps in the 11-plus months they've been in power, lemme know about them.

How much longer must gays wait before we see measurable "fierce advocacy" from our Commander-in-Chief, with his Nobel Peace Prize in hand, on behalf of gay people beyond our borders?