US takes action against Uganda

It really does look to me now beyond any doubt, that the US is making an example out of Uganda and it's "jail the gays" law. With US evangelical nutbags stirring up gay hate across Africa, I think it's pretty fair that the gov of the nutbags causing the problem takes steps to address it. Which is exactly what the US is doing:

“As we continue to consider the implications of President Museveni’s decision to enact the Anti-Homosexuality Act, the United States has taken certain immediate steps to demonstrate our support for the LGBT community in Uganda, deter other countries from enacting similar laws, and reinforce our commitment to the promotion and defense of human rights for all people — including LGBT individuals — as a U.S. priority,” Lalley said. 

Money will be shifted away from the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, a group that has publicly come out in support of the anti-gay law and has received millions of dollars in grants from the United States to help fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Some $2.3 million will continue to go to the IRCU to continue treatment for some 50,000 current patients, but an additional $6.4 million intended for the IRCU will go to other organizations. 

Second, because the law makes “promoting homosexuality” illegal, a U.S. funded study to help identify populations at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS has been suspended. The study, which was going to be conducted by a Ugandan university and the Center for Disease Control, has been suspended out of fear that both staff and survey respondents could be put in danger. 

Third, because any LGBT person or LGBT ally who now enters Uganda is at risk, money intended for tourism programs will be redirected. “Therefore, approximately $3 million in funding designated for tourism and biodiversity promotion will be redirected to NGOs working on biodiversity protection,” Lalley said. 

And finally, the Department of Defense had several events scheduled in the country later this spring and those will be moved to other locations. “Certain near-term invitational travel” for Ugandan military and police personnel has also been suspended or canceled. more

I have mixed feelings about the effect this is going to have on HIV services in Uganda. There's no doubt in my mind that these cutbacks will cost lives. In the end I'd have to put the blame fair and square at the feet of Ugandan religious homophobes. If not for them passing the "jail the gays" law then none of this would be happening.

At the very least, other African countries also considering implementing the same sort of laws may well have a look at the level of aid they get from the west and decide otherwise. It's one thing to pump up hatred against a minority and embrace that rhetoric. It's another thing entirely when that rhetoric sends you broke.