WASHINGTON – Tony Perkins, president of the so-called Family Research Council (FRC), Monday praised Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for remarks he made, urging his country to repent against “sexual immorality.”  The remarks come as the Ugandan parliament is debating a bill that would potentially impose the death penalty for same-sex behavior.  Perkins, who has long-supported the legislation, praises it as “efforts to uphold moral conduct.” Ironically, he and others in his organization recently tried to contest FRC’s designation as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, claiming it is their “love” of homosexuals that motivates their work. 

“The Good Book spells it out very clearly; ‘Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not so to be,’” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) VP for Communications Fred Sainz.  “Tony Perkins can’t claim that FRC isn’t a hate group, while at the same time support a bill that many believe would bring the death penalty to gay Ugandans.” 

The legislation proposes jail terms for gay individuals, including life in prison in some circumstances.  It is reported that a clause in the original bill calling for the death penalty may ultimately be dropped, although no evidence has been made available to substantiate those claims. 

HRC has called on American faith leaders to reach out to their influential friends and colleagues in Uganda to urge them to condemn the bill and work to halt consideration.  American Christian faith leaders have been active in Uganda for decades and have significant ties to Ugandan political leaders and faith leaders. Such influential American faith leaders, including Rick Warren, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, and voices from the Trinity Broadcasting Network, have a moral obligation to urge their Ugandan friends and allies to condemn the bill. 

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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