Well I thought I was unshockable. Until this lunchtime, that is, when I came across this BBC Africa ‘Have Your Say Africa’ thread asking ‘Should homosexuals face execution?’1.

I ask you. The cheek of it. Under the auspices of inviting people to comment on an Anti-Homosexuality Bill which will be debated by the Ugandan Parliament on Friday, Auntie has demonstrated its shocking left-wing bias and desperate need to pander to the Gay lobby.

First of all, what makes them think they can raise this issue in the first place? I mean, it’s not like Uganda is a proper country, or that we should care what laws their parliament decide to pass!

And then the BBC have used such a disgracefully loaded question, one clearly designed to galvanise opinion against the actions of the Ugandan government, whilst spreading the news of this legislation to an ever wider audience. The question is framed in terms of ‘executing homosexuals’, instead of providing a more wholesome image of the proposed legislation by wording it in terms of cultural conservation and preserving family values. This is clearly a desperate attempt to make the legislation sound as horrible as possible to bring out the liberals and get themselves some attention.

Don’t believe me? Just look at some typical responses this question has brought crawling out of the woodwork:

Isn’t it strange that the Ugandan parliament doesn’t suggest the death sentence for corruption? Political corruption in Ugandan causes far more misery than gay men. […] This is obscene, hypocritical, prejudiced nonsense. It is something from the Dark Ages.

Robert, UK

What a barbaric and ignorant proposition. If Africa wants help from the west then I see no reason why we should not attatch some cultural conditions to that aid.

A shocked gay man, uk

I feel like I have just stepped in to a demonic parallel universe? Should homosexuals be executed??? And people are actually debating it!

Tim Northyorks

I am a South African and I find the negative attitude of the Ugandan government and parliamentarians barbaric, uncaring and sickening. I have no problems with homosexuals at all. All I know is that people are born homosexuals and have no choice over the matter. It is no different from being born Black, white or brown, or male ,or female. Uganda is guilty of genocide and of violating homosexual people’s civil liberties.

Sizwe Motsoaledi, Giyani

While generally respecting black people as a race and a culture, I can only describe the Ugandan politicians who are supporting this bill as primitive, superstitious barbarians. I hope all the decent Ugandans do not allow their country to become synonymous with violent stupidity. Reject this bill

Rocket Scientist

What are the traditional family values of Uganda? Are they bigotry, hatred, oppression and state-sanctioned murder?

David, Europe

Just disgusting. From a state-funded broadcaster, too. Liberal propaganda of the highest order, paid for by the taxpayer.

When did Auntie lose her way so horribly? Bring back ‘Listen With Mother’, I say.

(Just for avoidance of doubt, yes, this is intended to be satirical… ;-) )

  1. The question has been updated in the last few hours to ‘Should Uganda debate gay execution?’ But still. [↩]