Ugandan Gay Activist Found Murdered; Beaten To Death By A Hammer
Sometimes I am completely blown away with the amount of hate we have towards one another. And then there are times like this when I cannot put into words how I feel.
Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone (not to be confused with the music magazine of the same name) released an edition of their publication last October that featured a list of Uganda’s 100 “top” homosexuals with a yellow banner saying to “hang them” written across the top. In less than a month, at least four of the men featured in the magazine were attacked. Others have been either threatened with violence or had to deal with some real vile behavior. The Ugandan government didn’t do a thing to help. It initially told the publication to cease operations, but that was only because the paper had not registered with the government. What do you expect from a country where homosexual acts are illegal and can get you up to 14 years in jail.
Amazing right?
And now, Uganda’s David Kato—a gay rights activist who sued the newspaper, was found dead in his home, the victim of an apparent attack, beaten to death with a hammer. It wasn’t immediately known if his murder was in direct connection with him being featured in Rolling Stone, but I think it’s safe to bet it has everything to do with the article and Uganda treating homosexuals like are criminals. BBC News has more details:
Witnesses have told the BBC that a man entered Mr. Kato’s home near Kampala and beat him to death before leaving.
His Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug) group said Mr. Kato had been receiving death threats since his name, photograph and address were published by Rolling Stone last year.
Frank Mugisha, the group’s executive director, told the BBC’s Network Africa programme he was “devastated” on hearing the news from New York.
“He was killed by someone who came in his house with a hammer, meaning anyone else could be the next target.”
Mr Mugisha said Mr Kato had recently been concerned about the threats he had received.
Although Barack Obama is “deeply saddened” by what has transpired, we all know nothing will be done about this. It’s a heinous crime someone should be punished for, but if the Ugandan government is turning a blind eye to these types of actions, what are we to do?
It’s sickening and sad to know things like this happen all over the world. Each and every one of their stories must be told. Maybe then we can bring some more attention to the discrimination at hand.
I am very sorry for what happened to this man but if he participated in dangerous behavior, someone he had sex with could have killed him. Let’s not jump the gun. Homosexual sexual behavior can be violent and deadly.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DrJays.com, Kiran G and Gay, Kiran *Kiki* Goraya. Kiran *Kiki* Goraya said:
– Ugandan Gay Activist Found Murdered; Beaten To Death By A Hammer http://bit.ly/gw2WaU [...]
Bigotry, fear, homophobia and hatred led to David Kato’s brutal murder. This is the direct result of David Bahati’s introduction in 2009 of the Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill and campaign proposing that a new offence be created in Uganda named “aggravated homosexuality” which would be punishable by death penalty for homosexuals. Mr Bahati is closely affiliated with American, evangelicals, in particular the Family. They should be prosecuted for this hateful crime. The US government will hopefully go beyond words and withhold the million dollars in aid that Uganda receives until all minorities can feel safe and the heinous law has been withdrawn.
This is really sad.but we dont know this guy could have been involved in other things that got him killed rather than his sex orientation. Lets say he was a straight guy it wouldnt call for such attention. If gay people want to be accepted as normal as the rest why call for special attention?lets us pay to attention to things like children being murdered in witchcraft in uganda! Obama isnt that saddening too?
Wow at some of the ignorant comments posted.
This man was OBVIOUSLY murdered due to his sexual orientation. And the fact that it was an up-close and personal murder at that, more than likely just points to the fact that the killer was someone with intense rage and hatred towards David Kato, a very brave man.
Monty Python: So are you saying that heterosexual behavior is NOT deadly? Your comment that homosexuality is a dangerous behavior is completely irrelevant because more than likely, Mr. Kato was murdered by a homophobic man.
Having gay behavior is not dangerous. Being exposed to those with a hatred of gay behavior is dangerous.