March 30, 2007
by Eric Resnick
Gay People's Chronical
Washington, D.C.--U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been asked by 32 members of Congress to oppose legislation in Nigeria that would criminalize gay and lesbian "relationships" as simple as having dinner together, as well as the mere act of witnessing a same-sex union. So far, Rice has been silent.
The letter was initiated by lesbian and gay Reps. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Barney Frank of Massachusetts. They were joined by Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, House Committee on Foreign Affairs chair Tom Lantos of California, and 28 other Democrats. The letter was also signed by one Republican, Chris Shays of Connecticut.
snip
The nation’s Anglican bishop, Peter Akinola, leads an effort in the world Anglican Communion to make the Episcopal Church back away from its pro-gay stances or leave the communion.
snip
"It’s important that the United States of America go on record opposing discrimination against LGBT people in Nigeria," said Baldwin.
"Human rights of life, liberty, and security of person should have no border and no nationality, and no exceptions for one’s sexual orientation and gender identity."
Although I do not know this for a fact, I strongly suspect that people in TEC had a great deal to do with this request. I base this on e-mail correspondence I had with someone in the TEC administration. If so, I am very pleased that work behind the scenes is paying off.
ReplyDeleteI believe that LGBT Anglicans and friends must all do our part to help squash this horrific legislation. I am blogging about it and I hope anyone else who has a blog will do so as well. We must all educate both ourselves and others about what is going on in Nigeria because passage of this legislation will most assuredly impact the rest of the Western world as LGBT Nigerians seek to flee their country by any means necessary.