GOP Congressman tells Uganda leaders to “stand firm” in support of LGBTQ death penalty
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Investigative Report: Michigan Republican Urges Uganda to Stand Firm on Draconian Anti-LGBTQ Law
In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that Rep. Tim Walberg, a Michigan Republican, traveled to Uganda last October to meet with leaders and encourage them to maintain their oppressive anti-LGBTQ law, which includes the death penalty for gay individuals. This law is so severe that even Sen. Ted Cruz has condemned it.
The trip went unnoticed until Salon exposed it this week. Walberg was a keynote speaker at Uganda’s National Prayer Breakfast, where President Yoweri Museveni, the man responsible for signing the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law, was present. Museveni even remarked that Walberg’s presence demonstrated that there were Americans who shared their views.
During his speech, Walberg called on Ugandan leaders to resist international pressure to repeal the law, which deems “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by death. In response to this measure, the United States has removed Uganda from a trade pact and imposed visa sanctions on certain Ugandan officials. The World Bank has also suspended all loans to the country.
Walberg went as far as using the Bible as justification for advocating the killing of LGBTQ individuals. He dismissed the opinions of international organizations such as the World Bank, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations, stating that their thoughts were “worthless.” According to Walberg, standing up for God’s values means affirming that there are only male and female, as God created them.
Explicity aligning himself with Museveni and Ugandan legislators who overwhelmingly supported the “Kill the Gays” bill, Walberg declared, “We stand with you.” This statement raises serious concerns about his stance on human rights and equality.
It is worth noting that Walberg has always been a religious conservative in Congress. In 2014, he was designated a member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Hall of Shame. This year, he authored a provision called the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act, which required schools to obtain parental consent before changing a student’s pronouns or preferred names. However, this provision did not gain much traction.
Walberg’s trip to Uganda was sponsored by the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast, an organization that has recently taken a hard-right turn. Its new leader, Caroline Aderholt, previously held a leadership position in Concerned Women of America, a long-standing anti-LGBTQ group. Aderholt’s husband, Rep. Robert Aderholt, a Republican from Alabama, has also been involved in efforts to prevent gay individuals from adopting.
While Walberg has faced criticism for his comments, it is unlikely that his fellow Republicans will condemn him. Sadly, his views are not isolated within the party. This serves as a stark reminder that within today’s Republican party, even advocating for the killing of LGBTQ individuals is not considered beyond the pale.
The revelation of Walberg’s trip and his support for Uganda’s draconian anti-LGBTQ law raises significant concerns about the values and priorities of some members of the Republican party. It highlights the urgent need for continued activism and advocacy to protect and promote LGBTQ rights both domestically and internationally.
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