CARNAL NATION

A Ugandan politician has proposed legislation that would make "aggravated homosexuality" an offense punishable by death. Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda, but MP David Bahati thinks that the current laws aren't harsh enough. Under his proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, certain acts, including gay sex with a partner who is disabled or under 18 would be punishable by death. Defendants who had sex while positive for HIV would also face the death penalty. The bill doesn't just outlaw sex acts, though; it would effectively ban all advocacy of gay rights by criminalizing "promotion of homosexuality," and family and friends of gays and lesbians would be criminally liable if they didn't report their loved ones' homosexuality to the police.

Most disturbingly, the bill is widely supported in parliament and will probably get the endorsement of President Yoweri Museveni. Independent MP John Otekat Emile says that "Members of parliament are overwhelmingly supporting this bill because homosexuality is illegal in Ugandan, and we have that clearly in the penal code." He estimates its chances of passing as "99%."

The  International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission released a statement condemning the legislation. "The Bill effectively bans any kind of community or political organizing around non-heteronormative sexuality," the statement said. "HIV prevention activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex materials, will be seriously damaged. Women, sex workers, people living with AIDS, and other marginalized groups may also find their activities tracked and criminalized through this bill."