Uganda’s Gay Community Has High Hopes For Pope Francis’ Visit


With Pope Francis set to be making his first trip to Africa at the end of this week, LGBT rights activists in Uganda have spoken out about their hopes that his visit may change the horrific treatment and violence that gay people there are subjected to.

Seen as a much more progressive Pope than his predecessors, Pope Francis’ upcoming visit has gay rights groups hoping that he will speak on the topic of tolerance and acceptance of Uganda’s gay community.

Despite having spoken openly against same-sex marriage in the past, Pope Francis has stayed relatively nuanced on the topic of individuals who are homosexuals. He has said he is aware that gay people are excluded and “socially wounded” by a Church they feel condemns them, however “the Church does not want to do this.”

In 2013 Pope Francis said:

“If a homosexual person is of good will and is in search of God, I am no one to judge… it is not right to interfere spiritually in the life of a person.”

He has expressed his wish for the Church to be more welcoming to marginalized groups and, although this has resulted in criticism from some anti gay groups, it has led to various LGBT activists including those of Uganda looking to Pope Francis as a form of ally.

Frank Mugisha, a prominent gay activist, remains hopeful that Pope Francis will openly speak about acceptance and tolerance of the gay community during his visit.

In a country where homosexuality is illegal and those found guilty of engaging in consensual homosexual acts or even of “promoting gay” can face a life sentence in prison, Mugisha rightly believes it is high time that a message of compassion towards the LGBT community was sent out.

Mugisha stated:

“We want a position that is very clear from the Vatican that says, ‘Do not discriminate, do not harm homosexuals,’ a message of tolerance.”

 

Image by A Jones via Flickr under this Creative Commons License.

Natasha is a freelance writer, feminist, and coffee addict based in the UK. She has a Master's degree in Literary Studies and specialised in Gender Studies throughout her time at University. She spends her free time collecting tattoos and dying her hair bizarre colours, much to her girlfriend's dismay.