Conservatives on Friday cheered passage
of an anti-gay law in Uganda.
Lawmakers unanimously approved the
bill, which now awaits the president's signature to become law.
The measure was first introduced in
2009 and drew international condemnation for including the death
penalty. The bill as passed replaces capital punishment with life
imprisonment for people repeatedly convicted of having consensual sex
with a member of the same sex. The sentence can also be imposed in
cases where one of the partners is HIV-positive, a minor or disabled.
The bill also seeks to outlaw the promotion of homosexuality,
effectively silencing opponents of the measure.
“Let Freedom Ring!” tweeted Martin
Ssempa, a Uganda minister and vocal opponent of gay rights.
Ssempa also messaged a photo of himself
with MP David Bahati, the bill's sponsor.
Bryan Fischer of the American Family
Association (AFA) also applauded the bill, linking it to the current
controversy over anti-gay remarks made by Duck Dynasty's Phil
Robertson.
(Related: Conservatives
compare Phil Robertson to Pope Francis, Martin Luther King, Jesus.)
“Uganda stands with Phil,” Fischer
tweeted. “Makes homosexuality contrary with public policy. It can
be done.”
Tony Perkins, president of the
Christian conservative Family Research Council (FRC), previously
called the bill an effort to “uphold moral conduct.”