In response to the slaying of Ugandan gay rights activitst David Kat, Open and Affirming Task Team Chair Kathie Carpenter is asking supporters to sign on to a "Stop Exporting Hate" petition by the Human Rights Campaign.
The petition's introduction states:
"A Ugandan gay rights advocate was bludgeoned to death in his home this week. His name had been among those listed in an anti-gay magazine, under the headline "Hang them!""
"Right-wing U.S. extremists have fueled a climate of hatred in Uganda – and it's got to stop.
- A few months before a bill was introduced in Uganda that would make homosexuality punishable by death, Scott Lively and two other anti-gay ministers from America held an anti-gay conference in Uganda.
- Prominent right-wing leader Lou Engle visited Uganda this year to preach against "the threat of homosexuality" (portrayed as a "satanic attack against families") at a rally that focused on prayers for the bill.
- And now, Georgia-based pastor Carl Ellis Jenkins is opening 50 new churches in Uganda that exist to preach against "bad morals, including homosexuality" and they're expanding across East Africa. "
"Stoking fires of hostility isn't religion – it's blasphemy. Tell Lou Engle, Scott Lively, and Carl Ellis Jenkins to stop exporting hate in the name of religion."
Earlier this month, the ONA Task Team joined the UCC Coalition in calling on congregations to pray and take action in response to the slaying. Read more.