In two stories this past week, discrimination of LGBTI rights and African LGBTI peoples have been featured:

Congo: Homosexuality criminialization bill delayed, but not dead.

A bill to criminalize homosexuality was sent in 2010 to the Socio-Cultural committee to be possibly be debated and voted on in this year’s upcoming elections. The bill has been delayed, yet many fear that the parliament will pass the law this upcoming election. It will not only criminalize homosexuality, but also criminalize any activities that promote LGBTI rights.

“Section174h3 of the Bill stipulates that, “all publications, posters, pamphlets, (or) films highlighting or likely to arouse or encourage sexual practices against nature are forbidden within the territory of the DRC and “all associations that promote or defend sexual relations against nature are forbidden within the territory of the DRC.”

(Source: LGBT Asylum News)

Uganda: The Return of "Kill the Gays" bill

An anti-homosexuality bill has been submitted to the Ugandan Members of Parliament, criminalizing homosexuality and making it punishable by death. Uganda is one of 83 countries where homosexuality is illegal currently; however, this bill would make being gay a death sentence.

(Source: The Huffington Post)

Certainly the news is grim; however, the fight is not over yet. ORAM has worked closely with LGBTI refugees from Africa in the past and will continue its commitment to keeping a close eye on these anti-LGBTI political obstacles.