DanNation

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Rachel Maddow confronted ex-gay author Richard Cohen on her show tonight. Cohen’s book, Coming Out Straight, has served as an “inspiration” for Ugandan leaders who are expected to vote for a new law in that country that will execute gays and imprison those citizens who know gay people and don’t turn them in. Yes, this is happening in 2009.

From the Associated Press:

Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.

Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa’s gay community is becoming more vocal.

“It’s a question of visibility,” said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay. “When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us.”

The legislation has drawn global attention from activists across the spectrum of views on gay issues. The measure was proposed in Uganda following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.

A political group known as The Family, comprised of a number of U.S. politicians including Senator Charles Grassley from Iowa, and is one of the most powerful Christian fundamentalist movements in the anti-gay movement, is closely associated with Ugandan leadership.

Thought you should know.