Barack Obama (left) and Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh – Credit: Amanda Lucidon/White House
President Barack Obama is facing pressure to take further action against the Gambia for the West African nation’s recently enacted anti-LGBT law.
In a letter to Obama dated Jan. 23, fourteen LGBT-rights organizations urged that Obama’s State Department demand the Gambian government provide more information on the health and safety of individuals who have been detained on the basis of their sexual orientation.
“Some of them may have been released, but an unknown number remain in detention. There are credible reports that at least some of these individuals have been tortured and the lives of those remaining in detention might be in danger,” the letter states. “We therefore urge the United States government to obtain information about the Gambian authorities’ plans to either prosecute or release them.”
Moreover, the organizations recommend Obama take action by placing a visa ban on key Gambian officials, including President Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, who have “promoted discriminatory laws and who are responsible for grave human rights abuses.” The letter goes on to state, “Additionally, we understand President Jammeh’s family has assets in the U.S., including a multi- million dollar home in Potomac, Maryland, and we would therefore urge you to consider freezing those assets.”
The letter comes after the Obama administration revoked the Gambia’s eligibility for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act last month in response to the nation’s anti-LGBT law. In October, Jammeh signed into law legislation that threatens life sentences for those who are convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” or are considered “repeat offenders.” Amnesty International has accused the Gambia of torturing its citizens and threatening detainees to confess or “a device would be forced into their anus or vagina to ‘test” their sexual orientation.”
“Arresting and torturing people based on their sexual orientation is shameful, and inventing new crimes with even harsher sentences is scandalous,” Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International deputy regional director for West and Central Africa, said in a November statement. “Gambia’s new law not only flouts African human rights obligations, it violates its own constitution, which says that all people must be equal and free from discrimination before the law.”
Ned Price, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told Metro Weekly additional actions against the Gambia will be guided by the importance the Obama administration places on championing LGBT rights.
“As the letter notes, last month we suspended The Gambia’s eligibility for trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) out of concern for human rights abuses, including those perpetrated against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community,” Price said in a statement. “As we consider additional steps, we will be guided by the importance we place on opposing discrimination and championing human rights for all. We continue to call on the Government of The Gambia to respect all human rights, repeal discriminatory legislation, and cease these harmful practices.”
Friday’s letter to Obama was signed by the Human Rights Campaign, The Council for Global Equality, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights First, GLAAD, National LGBTQ Task Force, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Global Justice Institute, National Center for Transgender Equality, Out & Equal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, PFLAG, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and The Fellowship Global.
“It is not too late for the United States to send President Jammeh and his regime a clear and unequivocal message: human rights violations will not be tolerated, and the U.S. government will respond with actions, as well as with strong condemnation,” the letter concludes. “It is crucial that the United States take concrete action whenever countries enact discriminatory laws, and The Gambia should be no exception.”
Chris Kostka, a gay man visiting Provincetown, Massachusetts, was walking along Bradford Street between 1 and 2 a.m. on Monday, June 30, when, near Howland Street at the town’s eastern end, three men shoved him to the pavement and began kicking him while yelling anti-gay slurs.
"All of a sudden I just feel myself getting pushed to the ground," Kostka told Boston NBC affiliate WBTS-CD. "I fly forward and I turn. I see three guys, and of course, I'm stunned from just being thrown to the pavement, and I just cover my face, go into a fetal position as I'm getting kicked and getting called some gay slurs."
In a clear jab at LGBTQ Pride Month, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) introduced a resolution last week to declare June as "Family Month" — a move right-wing outlet The Daily Wire hailed as an effort to "reclaim the first month of summer from LGBTQ ideology."
The American family is under relentless attack from a radical leftist agenda that seeks to erase truth, redefine marriage, and confuse our children," Miller told The Daily Wire.
"By recognizing June as Family Month, we reject the lie of 'Pride' and instead honor God's timeless and perfect design. If we truly want to restore our nation, we must stand united to protect and uphold the foundation upon which it was built — the family."
Void, a Chicago-based Italian eatery, marked Pride Month with a pop-up parody targeting Chick-fil-A, the fast-food chain that has long been criticized for its past support of anti-LGBTQ initiatives and organizations.
"Chick-feel-Gay" appeared for one day only, on June 22, at a storefront at 2937 N. Milwaukee Street, in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood.
The menu featured chef and co-owner Dani Kaplan's version of the famous Chick-fil-A fried chicken sandwich, along with waffle fries, dipping sauces, and chicken nuggets.
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