White House blasts Ugandan anti-gay bill

By: American Decency Staff

The White House on Monday blasted Uganda's controversial new anti-gay legislation, calling the bill "a step backward."

White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni "regrettably" chose to endorse the legislation, which strengthens penalties against homosexuals, "instead of standing on the side of freedom, justice, and equal rights."

"President Obama has said this law is more than an affront and a danger to the gay community in Uganda, it reflects poorly on the country's commitment to protecting the human rights of its people and will undermine public health, including efforts to fight HIV/AIDS," Carney said. "We will continue to urge the Ugandan government to repeal this abhorrent law and to advocate for the protection of the universal human rights of LGBT persons in Uganda and around the world."

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