How would you feel if your home was destroyed and your loved ones killed? That is precisely what is happening in this region of the world, more specifically, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest park. It borders Uganda and Rwanda and is the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area. It covers 7800 kilometers (3000 square miles) and includes forests, savannas, lava plains, swamps, erosion valleys, active volcanoes, and glaciated peaks of the Rwenzori mountains.
The park is composed of three sectors:
The northern sector – Rwenzori mountains that border Uganda.
Lake Edward – The Isasha river valley and the Rwindi plains are the dominant geographical features that define the parks central sector.
The southern sector – Best known for the mountain gorilla’s that live on the flanks on the dormant Mikeno volcano.
Why should you care? The park is in another continent and we are nowhere near the political conflicts that are happening there. Just because the conflict is happening elsewhere doesn’t mean that we are not obligated to do whatever we can to help. We are all citizens of this planet and it is in our best interest to speak out against human, environment and animal atrocities.
Our planet continues to be raped for its natural resources. Big businesses are buying governments all over the globe for those limited natural resources. Wars are waged, animal and human lives are lost all at the expense to earn a big corporation more money. This is absolutely wrong and must end.
When I talk to people about environmental disasters, the inhumane treatment of animals and human rights violations they turn a blind eye and figure that there is nothing they can do. They are wrong. All they have to do is take interest and act – and this can be done right from home. First, educate yourself about the issue then decide what your plan of action is. I make monetary donations when I can but mainly share information via social media as I am now.
So, what can you do about helping Virunga National Park? Here are two suggestions:
Educate yourself by watching the amazing documentary Virunga – this is available on Netflix and via live stream on the official movie website:
Virunga National Park is pivotal in protecting the few remaining mountain gorilla’s. They also help protect the elephants in this region. Virunga’s elephants drastically reduced in numbers due to poachers from 3000 to approximately 400. In the last year – the Mabenga herd was hit particularly hard – less than 100 remain and are in grave danger of being wiped out entirely.
The park supports local villages and citizens. It supports the families of rangers that have been lost due to the conflict and fighting in the region. How can we not assist people who have such passion to protect a national treasure and all its inhabitants, with their lives? It is our duty and it is our right.
It’s time that we start a revolution of love and a revolution for the planet and our environment. We need to give a clear message to those who wish to see our planet destroyed because of their love of money. We need to rise and form a coalition to protect the planet from further destruction. Together, with strength, we can make the difference that is needed.
***In reference to this article – LGBTQ stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer.
Russia and Vladimir Putin have a lot to answer when they legislated their anit-gay propaganda law. In doing so – they have given permission to their citizens to harass and bully the LGBTQ community and it is happening. There has been recent news out of Russia about human rights atrocities being committed against gay citizens, tourists and straight people and it is because of policies like this. Uganda has officially declared that their LGBTQ citizens are lesser than those who are heterosexual when they introduced their “Kill The Gays” bill. Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller, has indicated that she will investigate the deaths and hate-crimes that their LGBTQ community faced and has done nothing since, even in light of the recent murder of a 17-year old gay teen – who was beaten, searched and chopped after individuals at a party found out he was dressed as a woman. Many politicians and religious leaders hide behind their religious beliefs to incite their bigotry, ignorance and hate which in turn allows their citizens to bully and harass their LGBTQ citizens.
These atrocities (especially in Russia), are getting much publicity and many people are speaking out. Many gay clubs around the world are boycotting Russian vodka and asking gay athletes not to participate in the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. Many have questioned if boycotting Russian products would be an effective way of protesting the human rights issues in Russia. According to an article by John Aravosis on AMERICAblog called Boycotts 101: Why the gay boycott of Russian vodka is already working, apparently yes, it is effective. Here is the link to the article:
Until these countries make an effort to stop these human rights atrocities, it is up to everyone else in the world to give them a clear message that these atrocities are not acceptable and must stop. I encourage this boycott and many others like it – until Russia, Uganda, Jamaica and so many other countries stop inciting violence against those who don’t conform to what they deem is ‘normal’.
I believe that LOVE wins in the end and I also believe that……..
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD A MORE POSITIVE ONE
What makes an individual evolve to accept something they thought they never would understand? Is it because they were proactive in seeking the truth about what they did not understand? Is it because they decided to abolish the ideas and what they have been taught to believe was the truth? People are so easily influenced by many things and what they believe to be ‘the truth’ – Religion is one of the biggest factors in justifying ignorance or an excuse for people to hide behind what they fear or don’t understand. Despite all of the progress the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered) community has achieved, there is still those who seek to ‘demonize’ sexual orientation and deem it ‘un-natural’ and an ‘abomination’ according to the Bible. I find it fascinating how different religions are adamant about separating their beliefs with other religious denominations but seem to find unity in what they hate.
The main purpose of my blog and this website – C.O.P.E. (Coalition of Positive Energy), is to offer information to readers on what is happening in the world so that we can work together in creating positive outcomes. I try to focus on writing positive stories but I also want to inform readers that in order to achieve a positive outcome – we must face the negativity. Here are some stories I want to share with you so that we never forget to fight for love, compassion and understanding.
MATTHEW SHEPARD
On Saturday December 1, 2012 – it would have been Matthew Shepard’s 36th birthday. Matthew Shepard was driven to a rural area by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were they robbed, pistol-whipped, and tortured him. Matthew was discovered 18 hours later by Aaron Kreifels still tied to a fence, alive and in a coma. Aaron Kreifels initially mistook Matthew for a scarecrow. Matthew suffered fractures to the back of his head and in front of his right ear. He experienced severe brain damage, which affected his body’s ability to regulate hear rate, body temperature, and other vital functions. There were also about a dozen small lacerations around his head, face and neck. Matthew was pronounced dead on October 12, 1998 at 12:53am in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was 21 years old.
His death was a hate-crime and spawned an activist movement that, more than a decade later, would result in passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a federal law against bias crimes directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered people.
At 21, I decided to let my friends and family know that I was gay. I understood the public perception of homosexuals and I did experience homophobia – I was called a “faggot” and even had a beer bottle thrown at me just because of my sexual orientation. I knew what my risks were for coming out as a gay man but I never really believed that death was one of those risks – not until I learned about the crime committed against Matthew Shepard.
Matthew’s story is a reminder that we all must stand together and speak out against bullying. We need to stop people from perpetuating hate in the name of religion. Imagine being the family of Matthew Shepard and having to deal with those who have a misconception of ‘the word of God’ at your son’s funeral. Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, took his message of “God Hates Fags” to protest at Matthew Shepard’s funeral wielding signs that read “No Tears For Queers” and “Fag Matt in Hell”.
If you would like to make a donation to the Matthew Shepard foundation – please visit the official Matthew Shepard foundation site founded by Matthews mother and father, Judy and Dennis at:
Uganda has been receiving much media scrutiny and attention since 2009 ever since their parliament has tabled a bill to ban homosexuality from their country. In April 2009, the Ugandan Parliament passed a resolution allowing Member of Parliament (MP) David Bahati to submit a private member’s bill in October to strengthen laws against homosexuality. The bill was proposed by Bahati and is based on the foundation of “strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family”, that “same-sex attraction is not innate and immutable characteristic”.
The legislation strengthens the criminalization of homosexuality in Uganda by introducing the death penalty for people who are considered serial offenders, are suspected of “aggravated homosexuality” and are HIV-positive, or who engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age.
After facing intense international reaction and promises from Western nations to cut financial aid to Uganda, on 9 December 2009, Uganda’s Minister of Ethics and Integrity, James Nsaba Buturo said Uganda will revise the bill to drop the death penalty (substituting life imprisonment) for gay people with multiple offences.
Legislation like this perpetuates and incites violence towards gays and lesbians – the government is giving a clear message that citizens who have a sexual orientation other than heterosexual are not equal under their laws. If we do not voice our concerns – innocent people will die or be left to rot in prison because of how they were born.
Please contact your Member of Parliament and ask them to speak out against this bill. We must let the Uganda people know that their government is wrong to punish people because of how they were born. Contact your government and pressure them to cut financial aid to Uganda should this bill pass.
Homosexuals in Libya have reason to fear in the post-Gaddafi climate. Some people have said that it is even worse for gays and lesbians in Libya after Gaddafi. London’s The Times, ran a story in which gay Libyans told of how the capital city Tripoli’s largest militia, the Nawasi brigade, have been harassing and attacking them with impunity.
The Times is subscription-based, Pink News UK offers a summation of the situation:
The city’s largest and most powerful brigade officially work under the authority of the Ministry of Interior, and , according to witnesses, were taking people away just for being gay.
Ahmad said he was witness to recent events during which the Nawasi drove past a birthday party, saw a man dressed in a wig and dress, and beat him until he admitted he was gay, at which point he was taken away.
After the men were taken away, a picture of the detainees from the party appeared on the Nawasi brigade’s Facebook page (?????), in which they had their hands above their heads, and their heads against a wall, with their backs to the camera. Text accompanying the image read “flog them hard”, “ride them like camels” and “let’s see the bullets fly”.
The bridge admits to taking the men away, but says it did so more because of noise complaints and alcohol consumption.
“These guys are not straight, but that’s not the main reason we arrested them.” said one militia member. “The main thing was the big noise they were making to the neighbours, as well as the large amounts of alcohol and hashish we found.”
THE SALVATION ARMY – ANTI GAY?
The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians. The church claims it holds “a positive view of human sexuality,” but then clarifies that “sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage.” they teach that “Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life.”
Since 1986 the Salvation Army has engaged in five major assaults on the LGBT community’s civil rights and attempted to carve out exemptions that would allow them to deny gays and lesbians needed services as well as employment.
The Salvation Army collected signatures in an attempt to get legislation killed when New Zealand considered passing the Homosexual Law Reform Act in 1986. The act decriminalized consensual sex between gay men, the measure passed over the charity’s objections.
In the United Kingdom, the Salvation Army actively pushed passage of an amendment to the Local Government Act. The amendment stated that local authorities “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.” The law has since been repealed, but it led many schools and colleges to close LGBT student organizations out of fear they’d lose their government funding.
In 2001, the organization tried to extract a resolution from the White House that they could ignore local non-discrimination laws that protected LGBT people. While the commitment would have applied to all employees, the group claimed that it needed the resolution so it “did not have to ordain sexually active gay ministers and did not have to provide medical benefits to the same-sex partners of employees.” After lawmakers and civil rights activists revealed the Salvation Army’s active resistance to non-discrimination laws, the White House admitted the charity was seeking exemptions.
Also in 2001, the evangelical charity lobbied to change how the Bush administration would distribute over $24 billion in grants and tax deductions by urging the White House deny funding to any cities or states that included LGBT non-discrimination laws. Ari Fleischer, White House press secretary, issued a statement saying the administration was denying a “regulation sought by the church to protect the right of taxpayer-funded religious organizations to discriminate against homosexuals.”
In 2004, the Salvation Army threatened to close all their soup kitchens in New York City to protest the city’s decision to require all vendors and charities doing business with the city to adhere to all civil laws. The organization balked at having to treat gay employees equal to straight employees.
WESTWOOD HIGH – MESA, ARIZONA
Two students were faced with the prospect of either suspension from school, or sitting in chairs in the high school’s courtyard and holding hands for 15 minutes during a lunch period. They opted for the latter.
What message does this send? The message that intolerance is not okay. Making two boys hold hands in public as a form of punishment sends the message that it is not okay to be gay and that you will be humiliated if you are. It also sends a clear message to the other students that this form of punishment and bullying is acceptable.
MICHIGAN TEACHER SUSPENDED
Susan Johnson is a performing arts teacher at South Lyon’s Centennial Middle School. She indicated that one of her students asked if he could play a song in class. The song was called “Same Love”, performed by Seattle-based hip-hop artist Macklemore and was produced in support of marriage equality. Susan asked if the song was violent and if there was any profanity and the student said no. “I really love my kids and I never want to hurt them, but I also know that there’s a lot of bullying and there’s a lot of gay bashing and racial issues going on in our country and I want the kids to feel comfortable in my class no matter who they are.” stated Susan to WJBK.
MACKLEMORE’s VIDEO:
Today, we should be encouraging and supporting our governments, religious institutions, teachers and health care professionals to promote tolerance, compassion and love for all of society. We need to stop focusing on making the differences in people a negative thing – who cares what colour we are, what language we speak, what nationality we are or what religion you belong to. What does matter is how we treat one another.
Have we not witnessed enough violence in our lifetime? Why must we continue to debate things that are not under our control. You can’t ask someone to change their skin colour – it is absurd! You can’t ask a woman to change her gender if she was born a woman and you certainly can’t ask someone who was born gay to become heterosexual otherwise, it would be just as easy for heterosexuals to choose to be gay.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
When I first heard about Uganda’s ‘Kill The Gays’ bill in 2009 – I was appalled and thought a bill like this would never pass today. Fast forward to today…..Uganda’s speaker of the country’s parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has stated that the anti-gay bill will be passed prior to the end of 2012 insisting it is what Ugandans want. For those of you that are not familiar with the bill, here are some hi-lites from THE ANTI HOMOSEXUALITY BILL, 2009:
THE PRINCIPLE
Establish a comprehensive consolidated legislation to protect the traditional family by prohibiting (i) any form of sexual relations between persons of the same-sex and (ii) the promotion or recognition of such sexual relations in public institutions and other places through or with the support of any Government entity in Uganda or any non government organization inside or outside the country.
Aims to strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family.
Legislation further recognizes the fact that same-sex attraction in not an innate and immutable characteristic.
Aims to providing a comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect the cherished culture of the people of Uganda, legal, religious, and traditional family values of the people of Uganda against the attempts of sexual promiscuity on the people of Uganda.
Protect the children and youths of Uganda who are made vulnerable to sexual abuse and deviation as a result of cultural changes, uncensored information technologies, parentless child development settings and increasing attempts by homosexuals to raise children in homosexual relationships through adoption, foster care, or otherwise.
Part I (Preliminary)Section 3 talks about ‘Aggravated homosexuality’:
(1) A person commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality where the –
person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of 18 years old.
offender is a person living with HIV.
offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed.
offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed.
victim of the offence is a person with disability.
offender is a serial offender; or
offender applies, administers or causes to be used any man or woman any drug, matter or thing with intent to stupefy or overpower him or her so as to there by enable any person to have unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same-sex
(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death
(3) Where a person is charged with the offence under this section, that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV status.
The pre-existing anti-gay legislation in Uganda may already be on a legally unsound footing. Whereas anti-gay laws survive from the era of British Colonialism, Uganda like other African countries adopted a very liberal constitution, during the wave of neoliberal reforms of the 1990’s. Especially Article 21 of the Ugandan Constitution of 1995 titled “21. Equality and Freedom From Discrimination”, which indicates:
(21). Equality and freedom from discrimination.
(1) All persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life and in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law.
(2) Without prejudice to clause (1) of this article, a person shall not be discriminated against on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.
(3) For the purpose of this article, “discriminate” means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.
The anti-gay bill has apparantely been amended not to include ‘punishment of death’ due to international criticism but gays and lesbians face life imprisonment should they be public about their sexuality. This bill perpetuates the stereotypes many religious people and institutions have about homosexuals, such as; promiscuity, apparent drug use, pedophilia, and bestiality. This bill will also invoke violence against gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgendered and their families because people will think they are justified to act with violence as per this bill passing.
What the world community is saying:
In 2009 – Prime Minister – Stephen Harper, privately expressed opposition during the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting.
The Canadian Transport Minister, John Baird stated to The Globe and Mail, “The current legislation before Parliament in Uganda is vile, it’s abhorrent. It’s offensive. It offends Canadian values. It offends decency.”
October 8, 2011 – Andrew Mitchell, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, announced that African countries that persecute homosexuals will face cuts in financial aid from the British government.
The government of France has also criticised the bill, citing a “deep concern”.
December 16, 2009 – The European Parliament passed a resolution against the bill, which threatens to cut financial aid to Uganda.
December 3, 2009 – The Swedish government, which has had a long-term relationship with Uganda, said that it would revoke its $50 million development aid to Uganda if the bill passes, calling it “appalling”. Sweden’s Development Assistance Minister Gunilla Carlsson stated that she “thought and hoped we had started to share common values and understanding”.
The White House released a statement to The Advocate, stating that United States President Barack Obama “strongly opposes efforts, such as the draft law pending in Uganda, that would criminalize homosexuality and move against the tide of history.”
We need to hold Uganda accountable if/when this bill ever sees the light of day – We need to continue to pressure our politicians to send Uganda a message that the world does not condone this type of discrimination!
If you have any friends or family members who are gay – you understand the need to support Uganda’s gay and lesbian community and stand with them just as you stood by your loved ones that were born gay. Contact your local MP or MPP and ask for their support.
In Canada – please send an email to the Prime Minister: pm@pm.gc.ca
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 