Ugandan Tabloid Outs Gay Men and Lesbians

The Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone has once again published the names and personal information of gay men and lesbians in the country, as a bill that could punish homosexuality with death makes it way through parliament.

Reports from Agence France-Presse and CNN International conflict about the exact nature of the latest publication, but they make clear that life-threatening conditions persist for gay men and lesbians in the deeply conservative Christian country where American evangelicals hold significant sway.

According to AFP, “The lead article in Rolling Stone newspaper, which has no relation to the U.S. magazine, entitled ‘Men of shame part II,’ pictured 14 men identified as the ‘generals’ of the gay movement in Uganda.”

Editor Giles Muhame said the men’s photos appeared on a gay networking site, along with their names and hometowns, which he also published. He claims that the men are “brainwashing” children.

Last month, Rolling Stone published photos and personal information for 15 men, with a religious leader calling for them to be hanged, reports AFP. At least four gay Ugandans were attacked as a result.

However, in a discrepancy common to reporting on the situation in Uganda, CNN International reports that the latest article includes a list of 10 people, not 14, and that lesbians also are outed. CNN International also reports that last time, Rolling Stone outed 100 gay men and lesbians, not 15 gay men, as AFP reported.

The publication arrives as Ugandan lawmaker David Bahati says that his bill including the death sentence for homosexuality will become law soon.

Watch the CNN International interview with Stosh Mugisha, who was attacked with her partner after Rolling Stone published her personal interview. They now live in hiding.