This June, as many people around the world celebrate Pride Month to commemorate those who fought to secure rights for the LGBTQ community, these rights still remain under threat in many countries. The United States should be doing more to press its partners to protect them.
Ground zero for the LGBTQ fight today is Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni recently signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which punishes homosexuality with life imprisonment and “aggravated homosexuality” with death.
The law drew headlines because of its harsh punishment, as well as the role played by American evangelical groups in promoting its passage. Uganda is also a close counterterrorism and security partner of the U.S. and a major recipient of U.S. assistance, receiving nearly $1 billion a year. This raised expectations that Washington has leverage to wield in pressing Kampala to change course.
