Please sign this petitionHumanAction - Protest Against Draconian Ugandan 'Kill the Gays' Bill

HumanAction - Protest Against Draconian Ugandan 'Kill the Gays' Bill

 

Monday, December 10, 2012
12:00 PM

Ugandan High Commission
58-59 Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DX 

This is a message that gay activist, Peter Tatchell sent

On International Human Rights Day, this Monday 10 December, Londoners will gather outside the High Commission of Uganda to protest against plans for what is “probably the world’s most harsh and comprehensively homophobic law, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.”
Currently under consideration by the Uganda parliament, the bill stipulates the death penalty for repeat homosexual offenders and severe prison terms many other aspects of gay life, behaviour and gay human rights advocacy. Contrary to some reports, the death penalty clause has not been removed from the bill.
Monday’s protest is to “stand in solidarity with Ugandan lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people against the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill.”
It is organised by the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development. See their facebook page: http://on.fb.me/NjNyog. It is supported by the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
Please sign the All Out petition against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill:
http://www.allout.org/en/actions/uganda-now
“The Bill extends the existing penalty of life imprisonment for same-sex intercourse to all other same-sex behaviour, including the mere touching of another person with the intent to have homosexual relations,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights advocacy organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
“Life imprisonment is also the penalty for contracting a same-sex marriage.
"Promoting homosexuality and aiding and abetting others to commit homosexual acts will be punishable by five to seven years jail. These new crimes are likely to include membership and funding of LGBT organisations, advocacy of LGBT human rights, supportive counselling of LGBT persons and the provision of condoms or safer sex advice to LGBT people.
“A person in authority – gay or heterosexual - who fails to report violators to the police within 24 hours will be sentenced to three years behind bars.
"Astonishingly, the new legislation has an extra-territorial jurisdiction. It will also apply to Ugandan citizens or foreign residents of Uganda who commit these 'crimes' while abroad, in countries where such behaviour is not a criminal offence. Violators overseas will be subjected to extradition, trial and punishment in Uganda.
“See this statement by Uganda’s Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law:
http://bit.ly/SBmHYF
“This bill is even more draconian than the extreme homophobic laws of countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
“It is part of a wide attack on civil society and is symptomatic of Uganda’s drift to authoritarianism," added Mr Tatchell.

Read this report on the tyranny of President Yoweri Museveni’s Ugandan regime:
http://bit.ly/UicRa0

Background briefing on the bill
Here is an analysis of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/02/14/41955
Read the latest news on the Ugandan anti-gay Bill: http://bit.ly/XlI6s5

In violation of Uganda’s constitution
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill violates Article 21 of the constitution of Uganda, which guarantees equality and non-discrimination:
21. Equality and freedom from discrimination.
(1) All persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of
political, economic, social and cultural life and in every other respect and
shall enjoy equal protection of the law.
It also breaches the equality and anti-discrimination provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Articles 2, 3 and 4), which Uganda has signed and pledged to uphold.
See here: http://bit.ly/SCt90e

Further information:
Ben Simms
Director
UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development
07908 455 228
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
0207 403 1790

For all who live in London, then please join us if you can. Otherwise, kindly sign the petition.

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF RADICAL WOMEN

Historically, male thought has overshadowed women. Here are some inspirational women from around the world, who challenged their parochial, andocentric world.

Qui Jin (November 8, 1875 - July 15, 1907) - China

Radical feminist and wonderful poet who opposed foot binding. Sadly executed during a failed uprising. She was 31.

source: cnparm.home.texas.net

Sirimavo Bandaranaike (17 April 1916 – 10 October 2000) - Sri Lanka 

sacredyoniflower.com

First female prime minister

Miina Sillanpää, (4th June 1866- 3rd April 1952) Finland 

Activist and Finland's first female minister.

Miina Sillanpää speaking in Parliament at the House of the Estates in 1907. Finnish Labour Archives.Source: helsinki.fi

Rosa Luxemburg (March 1871 – 15 January 1919) - Poland

Uncompromising Marxist revolutionary...

source: westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com

"Bourgeois class domination is undoubtedly an historical necessity, but, so too, the rising of the working class against it. Capital is an historical necessity, but, so too, its grave digger, the socialist proletariat."

Shulamith Firestone (January 7, 1945 - August 28, 2012) - Canada 

Radical feminist

 

source: guardian.co.uk

“...love is essentially a much simpler phenomenon--it becomes complicated, corrupted or obstructed by an unequal balance of power.”

 

Emma Goldman (June 27 1869 – May 14, 1940) - Russia

Anarchist and feminist imprisoned for advocating birth control. 

source: tumblr.com

 “If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.”

 

Kalliroi Parren (1861–1940) - Greece

Feminist writer and active advocate for female emancipation. She opened the first all female school to advance women's education.

source: womenwhokickass.tumblr.com

 

Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907- July 13, 1954) Mexico

Artist extraordinaire.

source: thepursuitofsassiness.com

 “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”

Urvashi Butalia (1952-) - India

Feminist, historian and co-founder of Kali, India's first feminist publishing house.

source: thehindu.com

 "What does a feminist biography look like? What does a feminist memoir look like?"

Angela Davis (1944-) - United States

Activist and writer

source: nndb.com

"Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary's life. When one commits oneself to the struggle, it must be for a lifetime."


Maria  Roda Italy -1899

staticsquarespace.com

From the age of 14, Maria was a dedicated anarchist and champion for feminist issues.
 

Ama Ata Aidoo (1940-) - Ghana

Writer and academic. Her writing defies stereotypical representations of women.

source: ihc.ucsb.edu

 “But what she also came to know was that someone somewhere would always see in any kind of difference, an excuse to be mean.”

 

Nawa El Saadawi (1931-) - Egypt

Psychiatrist, feminist and writer

source: bikyamasr.com

"They said, 'You are a savage and dangerous woman.'

                         I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous."



Lidia Gueiler Tejada (August 28, 1921 – May 9, 2011) - Bolivia

First female president of Bolivia, feminist and radical revolutionary.

source: universocanario.com

 

Angela King (28 August 1938 – 5 February 2007) - Jamaica 

Diplomat, adviser for gender specific issues.

source: global-sisterhood-network.org

 “I feel that all those millions of women who are looking at us are totally vindicated, and they have something to grasp to assist them for their battles for equality”

Aung San Suu Kyi (1945-) - Burma

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has dedicated her life to securing freedom and democracy for her country Burma, using non-violent means to fight against the ruling military Junta.

source: biographyonline.net

"In societies where men are truly confident of their own worth, women are not merely tolerated but valued."

 

Benazir Bhutto (21 June 1953 – 27 December 2007) - Pakistan

Prime minister of Pakistan and first woman elected to lead a Muslim state. Sadly assassinated in a bombing in 2007.

source: forumpakistan.com

  "Now, when people are dying, you don't really look at who's offering the help. You take it. The first issue should be to help the people."

Germaine Greer (1939-) - Australia

Academic writer 

source: radiotimes.com

“Sadness is the matrix from which wit and irony spring; sadness is uncomfortable and creative, which is why consumer society cannot tolerate it.”

Charlotte Wilson (6 May 1854 – 28 April 1944) - England

Feminist  and anarchist

source: freedompress.org.uk 
Lucía Sánchez Saornil, (December 13, 1895 – June 2, 1970)  Spain

source:deviatesinc.tumlr.com

  Poet, anarcho feminist, explorer of lesbian themes.

'You sneer at woman as a determinative factor in society, assigning her the status of a passive factor. You sneer at the direct contribution of an intelligent woman, in favour of her perhaps inept male offspring. I say again: we must call things by their proper names. That women are women before all else; only if they are women will you have the mothers you need.
'Extract from,

Title: The Question of Feminism

Author(s) Lucia Sanchez Saornil: 

Date: 1935

 

Nathalie Lemel (26 August 1827 - 1921 France

Anarchist, feminist and active participant during  the Paris commune.

Source: flickriver.com

Sugako Kanno (1881–1911) Japan
 Radical anarchist, feminist  and prolific writer. 

From her traumatic experience of being raped as teenager, Sugako challenged cultural attitudes towards women's roles in Japan . The only female in Japan to be hanged for treason.

Source:executedtoday.com

THE INVISIBLE SELF

WELCOME TO THE HETEROSEXIST, RACIST AND MISOGYNIST WORLD OF ADVERTISING

When you're young and exploring your identity, you'd assume that, in a diverse and multicultural world, you'd be able to identify with some of the media's images inundated on you. Well… if you're a heterosexual, sexist male, the media will offer you a staple diet of crass adverts to satisfy your depraved needs.

THE HETERO WORLD

If you are gay, you will be hard pressed to find any adverts that represent you in a positive way. The idealised hetero family will tell you this is the norm…

Add caadvertisingarchives.co.ukption

source: visit4ads.com

source: thefashionrecords.com

Now, here's a banned advert, showing two loving human beings...

Heinz advert banned for featuring two gay dads kissing. source: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/190242-heinz-pulls-mayo-advert-over-gay-kiss#ixzz2CZP16qPo

 Another banned advert: 

A banned ice-cream advert showing two priests about to kiss. source:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8087413/Gay-priests-ice-cream-adverts-banned.html

But occasionally, you will find resistance:

source: pinknews.co.uk

THE INVISIBLE RACES

Asians, Blacks, Mediterranean and Hispanic are rarely represented unless they're advertising curry or teas, pizzas or tortillas…

advertisingarchives.co.uk

scotsitalian.com

There might occasionally be an interracial couple… as long as they are hetero. But interracial couples must spark outrage amongst the bigots of this world.

A South African ad depicting an interracial couple sparks controversy. source: http://www.blackenterprise.com/news/interracial-ad-sparks-controversy-in-south-africa/

 

And where are the Chinese? They become visible when advertising global banking or happy childlike female representations, while masking the West's exploitation of their lost childhood spent in sweatshops churning out the latest commodity to satisfy your needs.

visit4ads.com

 

This is what you won't see.

chinadigitaltimes.net

dailymail.co.uk

Or how about an alcohol advert advertising an 'exotic drink' because it takes a woman of colour to bring out the 'exotic' in you… 

Malibu Lady Sunshine drink. source: drink-brands.com

 

THE SUBMISSIVE FEMALE

How many times have we seen it and wanted to scream at that screen or billboard that we are not available to every Neanderthal man's urges??

feministfatale.com

 We do not exist solely for your approval…

rockalily.com

 nor are we here to serve you...

thevine.com.au

We are not all 25 year old blondes waiting for your advances…

cbc.ca

We are diverse, multicultural, heterosexual, bisexual, trans and gay human beings - embrace it and challenge the world of exploitative, sexist, racist, heterosexist ads by writing to your advertising council (Now here's a slogan you'll want to remember), because contrary to the ad man's world, we are the majority. If you see something you don't like, tear it down. Get together with your friends and make large stickers with slogans and plaster them on every ad on the tube, high street that demeans, objectifies or, reduces you to an object. Make a Saturday shopping spree into a memorable experience...

OUR BODIES, OUR CHOICE

Savita Halappanavar, 31, died after being refused an abortion. photo source: irishtimes.com

Following the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, who died of septicaemia in Ireland last month after she was refused an abortion, it's time to challenge the whole notion of 'pro-life'. This woman died needlessly and could have been saved if only she had been offered an abortion. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/14/savita-halappanavar-medically-unnecessary-death

In the UK, we falsely applaud a government that supposedly gives women the right to choose, but her choice is ridden with biases and patriarchal outdated laws. There have been proposals to reduce the time limit from 24 to 12 weeks. I have a huge problem with people who oppose abortion and want to further restrict a woman's choice. Contrary to right wing views, women do not use abortion as a form of contraception, but as an informed, intelligent decision over their bodies. I had a heated debate with someone who argued that abortion is used as a compulsory tool in China due to its overpopulation. Also, in Russia, abortions are handed out freely due to the high levels of exploitation when a boss coerces young females into sex and unwanted pregnancies. But surely the issue is that in China it's not a choice, while in Russia it masks the coercive nature of male exploiters. 

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt backs abortion limit from 24 to 12 weeks. source: guardian.co.uk

Back in March, I remember reading an article in Saturday’s Guardian, regarding abortion. I was appalled to read that children were being told that conceiving a child out of rape can be a positive experience. This outrageous assertion has no insight into the trauma experienced by the mother or the child. Children should be born because they are wanted. 

source:http://thehpalliance.org

This paternalistic government with its neo conservative/neo liberal agenda is intolerable. Woman need to prove that they are mentally unfit in order to be granted an abortion, which is absurd and hypocritical and another way of stigmatising/ controlling women’s bodies. We are regressing to a state that wants to control and regulate women’s sexuality and reinforces the notion that sex is an act solely for procreation. As past histories have shown, the unsafe practises of back street abortions, and the serious implications to women’s health, is something we do not want to go back to. Only a woman has the right to choose what is right for her. We need to act now and support pro-choice on a global scale. Let's spare a thought for the

Savitas of this world.

WHY WE SHOULDN'T BE PAYING OUR TV LICENCE

In the UK, we are forced to subsidize a wealthy corporation called The British Broadcasting Corporation. Regardless of whether we watch their staple diet of crass programmes. This company expects us to subsidize and pay for their employees' salaries, all in the guise of a public service. Despite the beeb's claims that they do not advertise, they have sold numerous programmes worldwide, and still insist on us to fund their overpaid chauvinists, like Jeremy Clarkson, or their authoritative male bullies, such as Jeremy Paxman.

Following the recent revelations about Jimmy Savile, I find it an abysmal abuse of celebrity power and feel outraged for every child and adult who fell victim to this degenerate man. Isn't it ironic that he fought so hard to save peoples' lives but also destroyed so many in return? What was the motive behind it? Personally, I'd say his charitable acts were a front that enabled him to abuse people. His celebrity status and charity work gave him a passport to abuse, molest and sexually assault minors and adults. 

The appalling incident in which a young woman was groped by Savile live on Top of the Pops; note the expressions on some of the girls' faces above

What is equally disturbing is that many other celebrities at the BBC were aware of the abuser's acts, but there are claims that the BBC did not want a scandal, while others expressed fear of not being taken seriously or losing their jobs. They are just as guilty. Undoubtedly, if molesters/rapists are rich, they will be enabled by corporations to continue their violation of children as long as the public image of the beeb is not ruffled. Subsequently, in the parochial world run by the BBC, fuelled by privilege, testosterone and misogyny, ratings are more important than justice. I guess respect and acknowledgment for the victims doesn't count…

Why didn't anyone contact the police? Were they concerned that Savile was in collusion with them as well? Bullshit! Self-serving careerists will always make excuses because their conscience tells them they couldn't act to justify their conscience. Furthermore, a female who witnessed an act of abuse at the beeb was cornered and threatened by Savile. This kind of coercive form of intimidation serves the abuser to wield power over his domain. There was a disturbing clip on Top of the Pops where Savile clearly assaults a girl. Her pleas for help were trivialised and dismissed by the BBC. Furthermore, Savile's acts were ignored because of his ability to raise exorbitant sums of money for charities. His mafia-style intimidation could not have happened in isolation. Others are involved. And as the shit hits the fan, more names will transpire.

Gary Glitter, an insipid third-rate pop star who excels as a sexual predator, also gets away with numerous sexual offences. I shudder when I recall the lyrics of one of his songs, on TOTP (hosted by Savile), 'The Leader of the Gang': 'I'm the man who puts the bang in gang'.  He served a mere three years in a Vietnamese jail for sex offences on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence. This seems to draw parallels with Savile. What constitutes clear evidence? Clearly not the testimonies of victims. Because the voices, the desperate pleas, the outrage, don't count. Why don't they count? And why has this happened?

I can make you jump out of bed standing on my head, Gary Glitter performs 'I'm the Leader of the Gang' on Top of the Pops

We need to explore the prevalent misogynistic attitudes and male power that encourages male entitlement to grope, assault and sexually assault. And it's not solely a British thing. Abuses of power predominate throughout the world.

Let’s spare a thought for all the victims and how they were silenced by a corporation that ignored the abused. Instead the BBC chose to dish out this predator on child-focused programming spanning over four decades. Shame on you. These are the reasons why we should refuse to pay our television licence. Let's make victims' testimonies count.

How to reject the language of misogyny

http://madamenoire.com//

I'm one of those people that can't help but tap into other people's conversations. We've all done it. A lot of times we hear chatter on the bus or train, about work, sports and relationships. Oh my ears are burning, intruding into a private conversation that becomes a public platform of misogyny. How many times have I sat there and wanted to angrily respond before I make a defiant exit. Why must my thoughts be intruded by other people's hateful language? I was appalled to hear two teenagers discussing their girlfriends. They both referred to them as 'bitch'. Since when has this demeaning term become acceptable?  See the word for what it is, intolerable and doesn't contribute in any positive way. Where did it all start?

The origins of misogynist terms may stem from the ancient Greeks. With the exception of Socrates, who argued equal rights for women, Plato, Aristotle et al saw women as naturally inferior, their sole purpose in life to procreate. Judaic and Christian religions have adopted these ideas and appropriated misogynistic language through the bible.  Consequently, we have a plethora of offensive terms where women are deemed as 'whores', 'wicked temptresses' and 'unclean'. And as for the non-west religions, they do not fare any better. Confucius saw women as comparable to  'small people'. Oh these andocentric assumptions…  Women, who must bow down, comply and obey the Omnipotent Father. Because we are natural born sinners, hmm…

Undoubtedly, it's not just religion that perpetuates misogynist language.  Music and culture encourages/ perpetuates misogyny. In the UK, we have a history of derogatory female terms. Words such as 'bird', 'skirt' and 'slag' were used until the eighties. Undoubtedly, these terms have been superseded or 'upgraded' by 'bitch' and the Americanisation of the English language with 'ho'. What is equally abysmal is that I've heard young girls refer to each other as 'my bitch'. It's hardly a term of endearment. Refuse to accept it as a form of address.  

wikipedia.org

And as for that rap music with its plethora of distasteful words that encourages violence and domination over woman… Why do these records sell? Are their listeners deep-rooted misogynists who can't think beyond their penis? Why support self-aggrandising, multimillionaire rappers such as Eminem, or Tyler, the Creator? Music should be a form of emancipation for men and women not subordinating women to violent conditions and abuses. Reject the words of these multimillionaires that make false claims of empowering you with a fist, verbal abuse or hate. They are a prescription to your demise. Think about it. They capitalise on your misery, your anxiety, as you contribute to their vast fortunes. They KEEP you in your place. Anger and hate is a huge commodity, it's a chain around your neck that imprisons you from exploring other relationships. Misogynistic language is a worldwide disease; it's time for a cure.

Tyler, The Creator's response to Tegan and Sara's criticism of his misogynistic lyrics. source:stereogum.com

Eminem's tattoo tribute to his ex-wife, Kim. source: tvsmacktalk.com

Men, you are more radical if you appreciate and respect women. Imagine the possibilities… Don't let misogynistic language define your actions or women's identities. Consider that we are not subordinates or appendages, here solely for procreation, your amusement, your physical or verbal abuse.  You do not own us. Cherish us instead. As an alternative, challenge the dimwit morons that have the idiocy to refer to women in such a deprecating way. You will grow as a person. Being hateful has its cost. It means there's no ROOM TO LOVE YOURSELVES. Don't address us as your subordinates, demean and devalue any shred of us because we are female. Don't think it's okay to refer to us as your bitch. We won't crawl but we can bark…