Our Letter to the Leaders of the Episcopal Church Concerning the Anti-Gay Bill in Uganda

The following letter was written and sent through email to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, The Rev. Canon Timothy L. Anderson and Rev. Terry Star repesentatives of Province VI and Bishop James L. Jelinek of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota regarding the anti-gay legislation pending the Ugandan Parliament. Each copy of this letter was written to and about the appropriate people.

Philip Lowe, Jr. & Jason King
(Address removed for privacy sake)

November 24,2009

Dear Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori,

We are writing you today to seek your immediate attention on an act of injustice that is about to take place. The Ugandan Parliament is considering a bill that will increase prison sentences and even possibly impose the death penalty for citizens violating the countries anti-homosexuality law. This draconian measure can only be seen as an outrageous act of injustice and discrimination.

We all know that throughout the Gospels Jesus drew unto himself the marginalized and stigmatized of society. It is very frightening that any government would even consider a measure that would jail, imprison or put to people to death because of their sexual orientation and how they choose to exercise it. Sexuality as we know is a gift of God and homosexuality is no different. It is an act of love between two people who desire to share God's love in a very beautiful and powerful way. The news that Uganda is drawing up and preparing to pass legislation that would give the State the power to destroy people who are gay who exercise their free will to love, is simply absurd.

This bill will create a level of fear in homosexual people in that country that cannot be fully understood. If passed gay people will fear for their lives. If passed questioning gay youth in that country may very well consider and commit suicide out of fear of the State executing them. This bill is such a miscarriage of the State of Uganda that it's impact just cannot be over stated.

We were delighted to hear that the Executive Committee has arranged for a telephone conference on December 7th concerning the situation in Uganda. We cannot impress enough upon you to be sure that the Executive committee in this situation what is right here. The dignity, integrity and lives of homosexuals in Uganda hang in the balance here. This situation is severe enough that no response from the Episcopal Church in this matter would also be an injustice. Please act as soon as possible.

Thank you very much for all that you do and all that we know that you will continue to do to help lead the Episcopal Church forward in these difficult times.

Sincerely Yours,
Philip Lowe, Jr. and Jason M. King

If you are someone connected to a religious organization or one that does any kind of Advocacy consider writing them letters asking them to speak out against this legislation in Uganda. People's lives may depend on your action.