We the undersigned condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of Mr David Kato the Ugandan gay rights campaigner. We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of homosexuality must change for the better just as our opinion of slavery has changed even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts. All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith.
We call on the government of Uganda to find and prosecute all those involved in the murder of Mr Kato, including the newspaper that called for the hanging of gays. We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalize homosexuality or treat homosexuals as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. Homosexuals must not be denied these rights.
Undersigned
1. Wale Adebanwi, PhD, University of California, US
2. Diran Adebayo, Writer, UK
3. Kayode Adeduntan, PhD, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
4. Biola Adegboyega, University of Calgary, Canada
5. Shola Adenekan, Editor, The New Black Magazine, UK
6. Pius Adesanmi, PhD, Carleton University, Canada
7. Akin Adesokan, PhD, Indiana University, US
8. Joe Agbro, Journalist, Nigeria
9. Anthony Akinola, PhD, Oxford, UK
10. Anengiyefa Alagoa, Writer, UK
11. Ellah Allfrey, Deputy Editor, Granta Magazine, UK
12. Alnoor Amlani, Writer, Kenya
13. Ike Anya, Public health doctor and writer, UK
14. Bode Asiyanbi, Writer, Lancaster University, UK
15. Sefi Atta, Writer, US
16. Lizzy Attree, PhD, University of East London, UK
17. Damola Awoyokun, Writer, UK
18. Doreen Baingana, Writer, Uganda
19. Igoni Barrett, Writer, Nigeria
20. Tom Burke, Bard College, US
21. Jude Dibia, Writer, Nigeria
22. Chris Dunton, PhD, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho
23. Ropo Ewenla, PhD, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
24. Chielozona Eze, PhD, Northeastern Illinois University, US
25. Aminatta Forna, Writer, UK
26. Ivor Hartmann, Writer, South Africa
27. Chris Ihidero, Writer, Lagos State University, Nigeria
28. Ikhide R. Ikheloa, Writer, US
29. Sean Jacobs, PhD, New School, US
30. Biodun Jeyifo, PhD, Harvard University, US
31. Brian Jones, Professor Emeritus, Zimbabwe
32. Martin Kiman, Writer, US
33. Lauri Kubuitsile, Writer, Botswana
34. Zakes Mda, PhD, Ohio University, US
35. Colin Meier, Writer, South Africa
36. Gayatri Menon, PhD, Franklin and Marshall College, US
37. Valentina A. Mmaka, Writer, Italy/South Africa
38. Jane Morris, Publisher, Zimbabwe
39. Mbonisi P. Ncube, Writer, South Africa
40. Iheoma Nwachukwu, Writer, Nigeria
41. Onyeka Nwelue, Writer and filmmaker, India/Nigeria
42. Nnedi Okorafor, PhD, Writer, Chicago State University, US
43. Ebenezer Obadare, PhD, University of Kansas, US
44. Juliane Okot Bitek, Writer, Canada
45. Tejumola Olaniyan, PhD, University of Wisconsin, US
46. Ngozichi Omekara, Trinidad and Tobago
47. Akin Omotosho, Actor and filmmaker, South Africa
48. Kole Omotosho, PhD, Africa Diaspora Research Group, South Africa
49. Samuel Sabo, Writer, UK
50. Ramzi Salti, PhD, Stanford University, US
51. Brett L. Shadle, PhD, Virginia Tech, US
52. Lola Shoneyin, Writer, Nigeria
53. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate for Literature
54. Olufemi Taiwo, PhD, Seattle University, US
55. Kola Tubosun, Writer, Fulbright Scholar, United States
56. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Writer, Nigeria
57. Abdourahman A.Waberi, Writer, US /Djibouti
58. Binyavanga Wainaina, Writer, Kenya
59. Ronald Elly Wanda, Writer& Lecturer, Marcus Garvey Pan-Afrikan Institute, Uganda
60. Kristy Warren, PhD, University of Warwick, UK
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