Uganda Journalhttp://www.allsoulschurch.orgThu, 17 May 2012 21:26:14 GMTFri, 17 May 1912 21:26:14 GMTOut of Africahttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/thursday-february-18-2010Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:33:04 GMTRev. Marlin Lavanhar

I am out of Uganda and in Amsterdam waiting for my flight to board. See you soon!

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/thursday-february-18-2010Tulsa World Articlehttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/tulsa-world-articleTue, 16 Feb 2010 22:59:16 GMTAmanda Varnerhttp://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100216_18_A1_Tlamns176200

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/tulsa-world-articleStanding For Love Slideshowhttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/standing-for-love-slideshowTue, 16 Feb 2010 18:50:24 GMTAmanda VarnerClick here to view the slideshow

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/standing-for-love-slideshowTuesday, February 16, 2010http://www.allsoulschurch.org/tuesday-february-16-2010Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:11:37 GMTRev. Marlin LavanharThe anti-gay rally set for tomorrow in Kampala was canceled by the police... which is an unexpected victory for our side.  We don't know what that means for the big picture, but it is a positive sign.  There is a lot of international media attention coming today about the anti-gay side of this issue and the organizers of the LGBT resistance here are hoping that the media finds Rev. Kiyimba so that the pro-gay story and the conference gets a higher profile.  It was an amazing event and so far it has not made it into the mainstream news beyond CNN International's story on Feb. 14.

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/tuesday-february-16-2010Conference Reporthttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/conference-reportTue, 16 Feb 2010 15:53:26 GMTRev. Marlin Lavanhar
On Valentines Day, more than 200 LGBT Ugandans (including many young adults) gathered in Kampala to strategize and organize a response to the anti-gay bill that is about to voted on by the Ugandan parliament

Risking arrest and imprisonment these courageous activists convened by Ugandan Unitarian Universalist minister Mark Kiyimba, in conjunction with Spectrum Uganda and other grassroots LGBT community organizations engaged in hours of discussions.  One organizer described it as a "Pride Parade in a closet." Although the subject matter was deadly serious.

The conference attendees called for complete decriminalization of homosexuality, full access to services, human rights and protection by the state. Sessions included talks by religious and human rights activists.  The keynote speaker was Anglican Bishop and Integrity Uganda president Christopher Ssenyojo, a champion ally of LGBT rights spoke on the theme of Love and justice. Bishop Christopher, was formerly exiled from Uganda and continues to offer Christian sanctuary to the LGBT community at great risk.

Immediately following the conference, the Ugandan Daily Monitior newpaper reported that police are currently seeking to find and arrest the organizers of the conference. (link below)

At the meeting there was a strong sense from grassroots folks of feeling supported and given a voice in the midst of feeling persecuted and demeaned.  The conference culminated in a petition for equality which is to be presented to the speaker of the house or a local member of parliament.  The conference has promised to bring legal action against the state if the bill is passed. Organizers stated that a procession had been planned to deliver the petition on foot, but as one organizer put it: "If we walk through the streets we will surely be stoned."

According to Pastor Kiyimba, whose church members include many LGBT persons, "I cannot stand by and watch as my community is exterminated. My church will become illegal and cease to exist if this bill becomes law"

Police halts anti-gay demo as pro-gay activists secretly meet in Kampala

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/conference-reportPhotos from Ugandahttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/photos-from-ugandaMon, 15 Feb 2010 19:58:24 GMTAmanda VarnerHere are some photos from Rev. Lavanhar's trip.

 

    

 Rev. Mark Kiyimbi addressing the conference      Rev. Mark Kiyimbi being interveiwed on CNN international via SKYPE on Rev. Marlin Lavanhar's notebook computer

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/photos-from-ugandaSuccessful Conferencehttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/successful-conferenceMon, 15 Feb 2010 19:44:40 GMTRev. Marlin Lavanhar

The Standing On The Side of Love Conference in Uganda is officially over and there was no disruption of violence! It was an affirming conference with about 200 people packed into a hotel conference room. There was a retired Anglican Bishop from Uganda who spoke as the main speaker. I have never met such beautiful, courageous, loving people and to imagine that they are basically being hunted by their own government who seem to want imprison them and maybe kill them in some cases. It is like a genocide of sorts. People are scared but today they feel solidarity with each other and those of us from abroad who have shown their support. CNN was here and BBC and I heard NY Times and Canadian Broadcast Network. Hopefully the world will see that there are people here trying to peacefully organize for their dignity and equality.

 

I was glad I could be a very small part of this historic effort and I hope it is an inspiration for a human rights revolution for LGBT people worldwide.

 

Love from Uganda!

 

Marlin

 

Rev. Marlin Lavanhar

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/successful-conferenceSunday, February 14, 2010http://www.allsoulschurch.org/sunday-february-14-2010Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:36:39 GMTRev. Marlin LavanharIt has been an adventure.  Currently we are meeting with all the organizers of the conference.  They had never all met face to face until now.  The discussion has been fascinating and important.  There was a decision not to march through the streets at the end of the conference because it would be too dangerous.  One professor said, "We would ceertainly be stoned if we do."  Nobody wants to provoke that kind of animosity.  The hope is to have a positive witness for Gay, Lesbian. Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) people, to gain the support of the people rather than pushing them away.  There will be a petition signing and are developing other plans for follow-up. 

The young man who went to have the banner for the conference printed, returned running as if he were being chased.  He was not being chased, but the printer scared him by asking a lot of questions about his sexual orientation and if he was supporting homosexuality and what he was doing.  The banner has the word "homophobia" on it.  The experience did make some of the organizers here realize that there are real security risks.  On that front, we did meet with a government run security organization (described to me as being like the FBI in the USA) and we are paying them to have 20 security guards at the conference.  They do not expect any problems, but they want to be careful just in case.

We discussed the themes for each speaker and it was fascinating to see the exchange about what to avoid and how far to go in discussiong GLBT rights.  I am taking notes and can write more about that later.  I will be speaking about how someone can be a good Christian and be gay.  They want us to be present to try to neutralize the other American Christians who came here who started this current anti-gay atmosphere that led to the bill.

These are incredibly courageous people!  They are mustering the courage to do what they believe is right, knowing that they cannot predict the consequences. 

Lots of love from Kampala, Uganda,

Marlin

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/sunday-february-14-2010Saturday, February 13, 2010http://www.allsoulschurch.org/saturday-february-13-2010Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:34:32 GMTRev. Marlin LavanharAll is going very well here in Kampala!  We are ready for the conference and I cannot really imagine what it will be like.  The people organizing the conference are wonderful folks.  Rev. Kiyimba is the main organizer who came up with the idea and brought everyone together and some of the young members of the church are involved as well.

I am so glad I am here and that we found the funds to bring a videographer.  He is 31 years old and from LA and he has done two other documentaries in Africa.  He came on the spur of the moment and is a great addition to our team.  Rev. Patricia Ackerman is also with us from the UU-UNO office.  She is an Episcopal priest.  The three of us met up in the Amsterdam airport and flew together into Uganda.

The internet situation is not ideal, but hopefully I'll be able to get on each day for a bit to send back some reflections. 

Much love and thanks for helping me get ready and over here.

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/saturday-february-13-2010From Rev. Marlin Lavanharhttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/from-rev-marlin-lavanharFri, 12 Feb 2010 16:41:38 GMTRev. Marlin LavanharI am honored to stand with my colleague from my partner church in Uganda as he risks so much to stay true to what he believes, "that all people are children of God and God makes no mistakes.

There are times in a our lives when we have to decide, 'here I stand and I can do no other’ and sometimes standing on the side of love means risking imprisonment and even death. The Ugandans who are taking this stand, love freedom more than they fear imprisonment or death. Such love is something they learned from Jesus and there is nothing more dangerous to the status quo than fearless love.

They’re not asking, "If we do this, what will happen to us?" But, "if we don’t support the gay and lesbian community of Uganda and their families, what will happen to them?"

There are times when the church colludes with injustice and evil, like in its support of slavery and racial segregation. In those times, people must rise up to save the church as much as society. This is one of those times.

There are moments in life when we have to take risks to support what we believe to be God’s will for humanity, and it is my strong belief that God’s will is for people to be free.

]]>http://www.allsoulschurch.org/from-rev-marlin-lavanharMarlin's Departurehttp://www.allsoulschurch.org/marlins-take-offFri, 12 Feb 2010 20:47:35 GMTAmanda Varner

Bearing the banner signed by our congregation and a variety of rainbow-themed gifts, Marlin took off for Uganda mid-afternoon today. Staff gathered at his home before departure to send him off on his travels with blessings. He flies to Atlanta, then Amsterdam and on to Kampala - a journey of more than 24 hours.

Fortunately, people continue to come forward with financial gifts of all sizes to fund the costs of his trip, the seasoned videographer at his side, and ongoing support of our Partner Church work.

-Kathy Keith

Courageous Ugandan UUs fight "Anti-Homosexuality Bill"

 

Anti-Homosexuality Bill authored by HON DAVID BAHATI, Member of Parliament, Ndorwa County West Kabale

 

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