GAYLETTER

My favorite thing about the African anti-gay movement: getting to hear Nigerian President and full-time bigot Goodluck Jonathon’s name. Amazing, I want to be called Goodluck. My least favorite thing: everything he has to say. Seriously, the situation is dire and only getting worse, particularly in places like Uganda where Anti-Homosexuality legislation has been signed into law by President Museveni. LGBT organizations are being raided, gay men and women are being forced out of schools and hospitals, tabloids are shaming “known homosexuals,” and simply being gay now carries a 14-year jail sentence. For all this, queer Ugandans can thank US religious groups, who were apparently not content with simply fucking up their own country.

Roeben Beddeleem, a Belgian artist working out of Montreal, is speaking out on the issue. Along with Jason Cantoro, he’s transformed the striped flag of Uganda into the LGBT rainbow flag, and has silkscreen printed 50 copies. Actually — make that 49, after they sent one to Ugandan President Museveni. BURN.

You can purchase one of the remaining prints, with all proceeds going to Amnesty International Canada who work with LGBT organizations in Africa who need direct support. It’s just a small gesture, but it could mean a lot for our Ugandan friends.

To learn more about the project and purchase a print, visit aflagforuganda.com