Minneapolis city council passes resolution denouncing Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill

The Minneapolis City Council voted on Friday to denounce Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, which would jail LGBT people in that country and impose severe penalties for allies who work for LGBT rights. The first incarnation of the bill even provided for the death penalty in some cases.

The measure has close ties to “The Family,” a powerful network of evangelical leaders and politicians who have been active in Uganda. Separation of church and state is largely non-existent in the west African country.

Uganda’s bill can be viewed here (pdf).

The resolution was offered by council members Scott Benson, Cam Gordon, Elizabeth Glidden, Diane Hofstede, Ralph Remington, Betsy Hodges, Sandy Colvin Roy and Paul Ostrow. Minneapolis is a sister city of Kampala, Uganda.

Full text of the resolution:

Amending the Policy Initiatives section of the Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Agenda for the City of Minneapolis by inserting a section entitled “Human Rights Restrictions in Uganda.”
Whereas, the Uganda Legislature is considering a law that would strengthen penalties against the promotion of homosexuality, and

Whereas, Bill Number 18, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 targets lesbian, gay and transgender Ugandans, their advocates and defenders and anyone who fails to report them to the authorities; and
Whereas, the legislation would criminalize such activities as funding LGBT organizations, publishing or broadcasting or marketing materials on homosexuality; and
Whereas, a person guilty of promoting homosexuality could be subject to a fine or imprisonment;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by The City Council of The City of Minneapolis:

That the Policy Initiatives section of the Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Agenda for the City of Minneapolis be further amended by inserting a section entitled “Human Rights Restrictions in Uganda” stating as follows:
The Uganda Legislature is considering a law that would strengthen penalties against the promotion of homosexuality. Bill Number 18, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 targets lesbian, gay and transgender Ugandans, their advocates and defenders and anyone who fails to report them to the authorities. The legislation would criminalize such activities as funding LGBT organizations, publishing or broadcasting or marketing materials on homosexuality. A person guilty of promoting homosexuality could be subject to a fine or imprisonment. The City of Minneapolis opposes this legislation.