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.”
A Texas grand jury has indicted 57-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez in connection with the June 1 killing of actor Jonathan Joss. Police say Alvarez confronted Joss and his husband as they were picking up mail at their San Antonio home, which had burned down in February.
The 59-year-old Joss -- whose legal name was Jonathan Joss Gonzales -- was best known for his roles on the animated series King of the Hill and the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said in a Nov. 19 statement that Ceja Alvarez "is charged with murder, the most serious charge applicable under Texas law." The office added that, because the case is still pending, no further details could be released.
Lucien Bates, a transgender man, says security guards threatened to arrest him after he used the women’s restroom at a Round1 arcade inside the North Riverside Park Mall in suburban Chicago. Bates, an Indiana resident, was visiting the venue on September 28 with his fiancé and a friend to play Dance Dance Revolution.
Bates, who presents as alt-masculine with facial hair and piercings, had just arrived at the arcade when he needed to use the restroom. He chose the women’s restroom, a decision he often makes in public because he feels safer there and is less likely to be harassed.
The sudden turn from sunny early autumn to a wintry November left us feeling more than a little light-deprived. But one sure remedy to brighten these gray days is to plan ahead for the joyful whirl of the holiday season.
Should those plans include taking in a fabulous live show here in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, or beyond, it's best to start making your list now and checking it twice. We're here to help with a LGBTQ-focused rundown of the divas, divos, and drag queens who might be jingling your bells from now through December.
Gay Men's Chorus: The Holiday Show -- The GMCW's most popular show every year brings an extravaganza of holiday carols, high-kicking reindeer, and sparkling snowflakes, which sounds like a euphemism for something festive to accompany songs like "O Holy Night," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Let It Snow," and "Go Tell It on the Mountain" (12/13-14, 12/20, Lincoln Theatre)
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