Dr Vanessa Kerry's op-ed on how the Ugandan anti-gay law endangers the health of the entire nation

[karynnj]

There are few aspirations that almost all of the globe’s human population shares. Good health is one, and I believe healthcare to be a fundamental human right. Illness impedes individuals from supporting themselves, their families, and their communities. Without health and good access to healthcare, a society cannot function.

But decisions such as the Ugandan parliament’s—with support from President Yoweri Museveni—to criminalize homosexuality, pose incredible barriers to health and human rights in Uganda and consequently around the world. Anti-gay legislation is unfortunately not new in Uganda or elsewhere, but the severity of the recent law is alarming. Any effort to outlaw or push lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender Ugandans out of sight, either through legislation or through outing them in the media, hurts the country, the health of all its people, and the ability to honor all its citizens with the fundamental rights and dignity they deserve.

This issue is especially important to the many organizations like mine working in Uganda to improve the health of—and access to healthcare for—people there. My organization’s mission is supporting U.S. doctors and nurses to help train a new generation of medical and nursing providers in Uganda and other countries. We and our Ugandan partners cannot do this if patients are put at risk by disclosing their sexual orientation, or doctors and nurses are put in harm’s way for treating LGBTQ Ugandans. We are also restricted from safely sending outstanding volunteers to Uganda if their sexual orientation puts them at risk.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/02/28/uganda_anti_gay_law_endangers_the_health_of_the_entire_nation.html



(Because it is likely to come up - the Secretary of State has spoken to the President - http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-uganda-gaybill-usa-idUSBREA1R1YJ20140228 )

Given that most Democrats liked and were impressed by Vanessa Kerry in 2004 - I thought that they would be interested to hear her on this. Incidentally the group she is referring to is a big deal - http://seedglobalhealth.org/about-us/staff/

[Bluenorthwest]

1. If they were doing this to a group defined by religion or race, we'd not be funding

them to the tune of billions a year. There would be no debate.

[ProSense]

2. Excellent op-ed

Thanks for posting.

It's likely that Uganda will be squeezed via financial aid, but Dr. Kerry does an excellent job laying out the health ramifications of this hate law.

Uganda Sees Financial Backlash From Anti-Gay Law
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024580565