Frank Speaks Out Against Ugandan “Anti-Homosexuality” Bill

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Harry Gural
Phone: (202) 225-9400
Cell:  (202) 281-0670

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Barney Frank today released the following statement regarding news that the parliament of Uganda is on the verge of passing a bill to deny LGBT individuals basic human rights.

“I’m disturbed by the news that Uganda is considering going ahead with a measure that denies the humanity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.”

“I was pleased when the Financial Services Committee overwhelmingly, in a bipartisan way, voted in favor of my amendment urging the Secretary of the Treasury to oppose any financial assistance from multilateral development institutions to countries that persecute people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or religious beliefs. In the discussion of the amendment I offered, I specifically mentioned the deeply troubling case of Uganda, which is now considering legislation to legally deprive people of these basic human rights.”

“If the bill before the Ugandan parliament becomes law, it must be the policy of the United States government to oppose any aid to Uganda from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, or any other international financial institution of which we are a member.”