Religious Left

UK Gay News Uganda The following is an ‘open letter’ from a gay Ugandan to the President of his country, Yoweri Museveni. It comes after President Museveni publicly praised Anglican bishops for resisting homosexuality, as reported last weekend in New Vision . Dear Sir, First, I would like to thank you for your inspirational leadership of our beloved country Uganda. I am personally disappointed in your support for the Church of Uganda’s crusade against homosexuality. That is because I am a homosexual myself. A gay Ugandan No. I am not a foreigner. I am not white. Actually, my beloved dad used to infuriate me by making me cram my genealogy back ten generations of pure bred Africans. Now, dear beloved leader, you are the elected president of all Ugandans. Not just the good Ugandans, as you describe them. You are the president of all of us Ugandans. Even, homosexual Ugandans. Saying that we are foreign puzzles us. We are Ugandans. Through and through. Why do you call us foreigners,...

When the first congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church was formed 40 years ago, it became a place of worship and solace for homosexuals who were shunned from other Christian institutions. Alive and thriving four decades later, MCC has hundreds of congregations around the world. Also still rampant is the homophobia that exists in churches black, white or otherwise. MCC has chosen St. Louis, a city rich in diversity, to play host to the 2008 People of African Descent, our Friends and Allies conference, April 17 to 19, at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet. Program topics will include Homophobia and the Black Church, Leading and Building an Inclusive Church and the State of HIV/AIDS in the Black Community, among others. The Rev. Elder Darlene Garner will attend and moderate some programming, as well as perform the Sunday services at MCC. While members of the St. Louis MCC are planning to attend, the conference is also attracting visitors from outside the area — record numbers...