Social Media Fights Antigay Uganda Bil

Activists opposed to a bill that would impose draconian penalties against gay people and their allies in Uganda are turning to the Internet and social media such as Facebook to advance their case. They say conventional media in the country is openly biased against them.

The "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" introduced in parliament last month would forbid the "promotion of hoosexuality," according to Human Rights Watch, and impose prison sentences of up to seven years for people convicted of aiding and abetting gay activities.

Activists are using new communications technologies as the principal way to urge evangelicals worldwide to ask the Association of Evangelicals in Africa to back down on the proposal, according to The East African.

"On the Internet, the debate seems to focus on evangelism in and outside Africa and the role evangelists are playing or should play as the bill awaits presidential assent to become a law," TheEast African reported.

One LGBT blogger called for Christians across the world to intervene against the hateful bill.

"They must address their fellow Christians of Uganda and tell them they must, in the name of God, stop this inhumane Bill from becoming law," the blogger wrote, according to TheEast African.