The forces of fanaticism and fascism are working on bills in Uganda and Nigeria to eliminate the existence of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. According to Box Turtle Bulletin, the Daily Monitor, Uganda’s largest independent newspaper, today reports that Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has demanded that Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee bring Anti-Homosexuality Bill to the House floor for debate and a vote by next Tuesday.

All Out reports that Nigeria is days from passing the “Jail the Gays” bill – one of the harshest anti-gay laws the world has ever seen. The proposed law will mean 10 years in prison for two people daring to hold hands in public.

  • Live with someone of the same sex – 10 years in prison
  • Organize a gathering of gay people – 10 years in prison
  • Support the idea of a pride march – 10 years in prison

Please sign All Out’s petition to stop Nigeria’s “Jail the Gays Bill.”

The elections show that LGBT rights have advanced by light years in America. In western Europe and South America the march for equality speeds onward. Meanwhile, nations like Nigeria, Uganda, and Russia are going in the wrong direction. Under President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the US State Department has taken the lead on protecting sexual minorities worldwide. Nations that abuse minorities, including LGBT people, should be turned into pariah states and not allowed to join countries that care about human rights.

The US should take one additional step. It should give legal immunity and total amnesty to any gay person who defends him or herself or their families against illegitimate state sanctioned violence. Make no mistake, this is all-out war against LGBT people — and we are fully entitled to fight back — and win. No gay person should be expected to behave like a sheep and dutifully march to prison for a decade — or life — or be put to death without a struggle. If each gay person in Uganda fought back against the homicidal would-be-murderers posing as respectable legislators, the state would think twice before persecuting or prosecuting homosexuals. They only do it because they think they can get away with it.

In  the event an LGBT person is forced to engage in self-defense, it should not be held against them in efforts to immigrate. Such freedom fighters should be given complete amnesty and allowed sanctuary in a new country that allows for a fresh start. After all, they did not start this war — but they should be allowed the dignity and self-respect to protect their property and loved ones. Our lives are worth as much as anyone’s. Our families mean just as much to us. No state should expect to break apart our families and destroy our lives without suffering severe consequences, whether through diplomacy or self-defense.