Citibank refuses to condemn Ugandan gay-killing bill

This video from Uganda says about itself:

Pastor Joseph Tolton Preaches At Ugandan Gay Rights Activist David Kato‘s Memorial Service

Uganda’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and trans-gender community today marked a year since the death of David Kato who was killed at his home last year. His killer has since been caught and jailed. Main celebrant Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo and a US based pastor Joseph Tolton encouraged the Ugandan community to adopt greater tolerance and understand of this particular community rather than shunning them. (1/26/12)

From ThinkProgress in the USA:

Citibank Refuses Petition To Condemn Uganda’s ‘Kill The Gays’ Bill

By Zack Ford on Nov 30, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Citibank is one of the largest businesses and employers in Uganda, but the company refuses to take a position against the proposed “Kill The Gays” bill. Over 500,000 have petitioned the company, as well as Barclays, to come out against the odious proposal if only to protect its employees and customers in the country. Citibank responded to the petition today, but only reiterated its nondiscrimination policy:

While the laws and cultural norms in some countries where Citi operates differ from commonly accepted global standards for human rights, Citi supports equality without regard for, among other personal characteristics, race, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, nationality, or sexual orientation.

“Supporting equality” is a particularly weak statement in response to a bill that would blatantly persecute gay people and their allies with life sentences in prison or the death penalty. Barclays at least took the added step of acknowledging the bill and its opposition:

Barclays has a strong history of supporting all aspects of diversity, both in the workplace and in wider society. Equally, we are proud of playing our part in the development of economies across Africa, and the key role Barclays plays in the lives of millions of our African customers. Barclays is aware of the proposed legislation relating to homosexuality in Uganda and we are engaging at appropriate levels of the Ugandan Government to express our views.

Sign the Change.org petition to encourage these banking giants to use their significant corporate influence to protect the lives of LGBT citizens.

Rep. Eliot Engel Statement on Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill: here.

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• Stop Ugandan gay death penalty law (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Customers urge banks to condemn Uganda anti-gay bill – Windy City Times (windycitymediagroup.com)
• Stop Gay death penalty : Emma Ruby-Sachs – Avaaz.org (point4counterpoint.wordpress.com)
• Briton faces Uganda gay sex trial (bbc.co.uk)
• Police arrest Ugandan LGBT leader Sam Ganafa (76crimes.com)
• International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission ‘demands investigation into killing of Ugandan LGBT rights defender’ (miamiherald.typepad.com)
• ‘Call Me Kuchu’ Is an Urgent and Devastating Portrait of Intolerance (Review) (popmatters.com)