News Tidbits

Bloomberg: Pro-Trump Evangelical Outreach Stalled by Uneasy Donors

Sacramento Bee: Gay protester sues pastor who praised Orlando nightclub massacre

Washington Blade: Injunction against Mississippi religious freedom law to remain in place

Associated Press: Iowa Board of Psychology rejects petition to ban conversion therapy

Pink News: Christian groups are handing out these creepy ‘gay cure’ comics to children

The El Paso Times: Bishop Brown upset over $419,000 payout to Cook

CBC News: Canada: Hamilton hopes to soothe relations with transgender community after bus ad

The Star (Kenya): President Kenyatta calls for closer state-church relationship at Reinhard Bonnke's service

World Conference of Families Co-Hosts Conference in Kenya

The African Regional Conference on Families is scheduled to take place at the Hotel Intercontinental in Naiborbi, Kenya on September 22-24, 2016. According to a promotional video, the event will feature speakers such as Sharon Slater of Family Watch International, Don Feder of the World Congress of Families, and Bishop Salesius Mugambi, who has opposed efforts to "redefine or erode the meaning of marriage". The event's Eventbrite page states that the conference will be hosted by the World Congress of Families, the African Organisation for Families, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.

As readers may recall, the World Congress of Families hosts large-scale international events that draw Religious Right leaders from around the world. These events invariably oppose reproductive rights, feminism, and LGBTQ equality. If the itinerary of this event is any indication, the World Congress of Families and its allies have comprehensive sex education in their crosshairs as well.

The conference's Eventbrite page lists the following "threats" facing African families. Some, such as violence against women and girls, are legitimate. Others reflect a worldview that sees LGBTQ people, contraception, and comprehensive sex education as pernicious.

• Pressure from the west to erode natural families
• Female Genital Mutilitaion
• Domestic Violence
• Comprehensive Sexuality Education
• Pornography
• Human Trafficking
• Erosion of parenting responsibilities
• Family attack by media
• Adoption of liberal laws etc
• Population Control and lethal family planning methods

According to Vatican Radio, Anne Kioko, the president of the African Organisation for Families, slammed comprehensive sex education programs because they allegedly teach children promiscuity.

"These programs go way beyond regular sex education and are designed to change all sexual and gender norms of society. They openly promote promiscuity, high-risk sexual behaviour and sexual pleasure even to very young children."

Such attitudes are dangerous, especially in Africa. A continent with high fertility rates will continue to experience economic struggles and pressure on its infrastructure. A continent where many women want to avoid pregnancy but still struggle to access modern contraception will not see all of its women realize their full potential. Comprehensive sex education in Africa (which includes medically accurate content on contraception and sexual decision-making) is vital to achieving a sustainable population, empowering women, and ensuring that future generations thrive. Unfortunately, organizations such as the World Congress of Families and the African Organization for Families want to oppose progress.

Also, talk of the west "eroding" family values seems to be code for advancing LGBTQ rights across the globe. If the Kenya conference promotes anti-LGBTQ ideas, it will be advance homophobia in a country where LGBTQ people already struggle against intolerance and anti-gay legislation (to say nothing of the rest of the continent).

The World Congress of Families, the African Organisation for Families, the Catholic Church, and their allies deserve criticism for promoting these messages. Comprehensive sex education and family planning are vital to both women's empowerment and national economic strength, but the conference organizers fail to realize this. LGBTQ Africans deserve equality, but the conference would rather scapegoat them as a western threat to the "natural family". As usual, the World Congress of Families and its supporters are promoting toxic ideas abroad, which will make the struggle for progress that much harder.

News Tidbits

Reuters: Thousands brave cold to attend Chicago anti-abortion march

Windy City Times: Protestors drown out anti-choice rally

Arkansas Online: Thousands at Capitol rally against abortion

NPR: Citing 'Two Corinthians,' Trump Struggles To Make The Sale To Evangelicals

Pink News: Shock as Anglican Communion punishes US church for acceptance of gays

Edmonton Journal: Catholic board chair didn’t approve sending parents letter from Calgary bishop

Gay Star News: A church in Australia is asking your forgiveness for Anglicanism's failure of LGBTI people

Gay Star News: Romania's Orthodox Church is pushing for a constitutional ban on gay marriage

Deutsche Welle: New church laws spur debate in Kenya

News Tidbits

NBC 4 Washington: Trump Scheduled to Make Stop at Liberty University

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Students voicing objections to timing of Trump visit to Liberty University

The Advocate: Mike Huckabee Loses it When Questioned About Duggars

Newsweek: Noah's Ark Rises in Kentucky, Dinosaurs and All

Christianity Today: Kenya Puts Rules to Rein In Prosperity Preachers on Pause

News Tidbits

Pennlive: 'We need to turn our nation back to God': Pennsylvania legislators ask people to pray for the United States

Reuters: U.S. top court rejects anti-abortion group's Planned Parenthood case

Deseret News: Sen. Orrin Hatch: 'Erroneous' wall of church-state separation 'narrowed' religion's role 

The Advocate: Indiana Bill Would Ban Anti-LGBT Bias... Unless It's Faith-Based

Gay Star News: Kenya officially throws out 'Stone The Gays' bill

News Tidbits

Baptist News: Board drops plans for Bible course in Oklahoma public schools

Raw Story: Atlanta fire chief’s book says ‘unclean’ gay people ‘defile their body-temple and dishonor God’

Associated Press: Top US Jesuit defends Vatican sex prosecutor

Yahoo News: Kenya 'miracle healer' scandal hits deep faith in churches

News Tidbits

Raw Story: Disrupter of Muslim prayer at National Cathedral: God and Drudge sent me

Huffington Post: Thousands Sign Petition To Cancel TLC's 19 Kids And Counting Over Stars' Anti-LGBT Sentiments

Religion News Service: Mormons change rules to allow moms, divorced women to teach religion 

Kansas City Star: Legally married same-sex couples won’t be allowed to stay together at City Union Mission

Buzzfeed: This Lawyer Thinks LGBT People Are Trampling On The Rights of Christians

Christian Science Monitor: Why are Korean missionaries flocking to Kenya?

UGO News: Ugandan President Museveni: Do Not Wed Gay Couples In Our Churches

News Tidbits

Washington Post: Vatican rep: 2015 ‘ideal time’ for pope New York visit 

Al Jazeera America: US bishops may tighten restrictions on Catholic hospital mergers

The Advocate: Mississippi 'All God's Children' Pro-Equality Campaign Draws Ire of Baptist Leaders

Christianity Today: Jerry B. Jenkins Suddenly Shuts Down Christian Writers Guild

Lancaster Online: Warwick cancels school-day abstinence presentations

Religion News Service: Kenya’s Catholic bishops: Tetanus vaccine is birth control in disguise

San Diego Gay & Lesbian News: U.N. panel raises concern about "ex-gay" therapy in U.S.

Huffington Post: BET Editor Clay Cane Slams Black Church For Conversion Therapy: ‘Being Gay Is Not A Sin'

New York Times: Latin America Is Losing Its Catholic Identity

New York Times: The Duck Dynasty Family Plans a Musical in Las Vegas

Huffington Post: The Duggars Allegedly Remove Photos Of Same-Sex Couples Kissing From Their Facebook

News Tidbits

New York Times: Supreme Court Allows Prayers at Town Meetings

The Province: Trinity Western University launches legal action in defense of its homosexuality policy

Los Angeles Times: Vatican to debate teachings on divorce, birth control, gay unions

United Methodist News: United Methodist body considers change to sexuality stance

Newsweek: Women Come to Power in the Vatican

Raw Story: Kentucky spends $18 million busing kids to religious schools in spite of state constitution

Ms. Magazine: Google Removes Misleading Crisis Pregnancy Center Ads

Religion News Service: Pastor John Makokha Welcomes Persecuted LGBT Community To His Church In Kenya

Pink News: Christians who believe gay parents ‘blight’ a child’s development hold London conference

3 News: New Zealand: Pahia’s controversial 'gay healer'

Kenya: Anti-Gay Activists Want to "Prevent Sodom Completely"

Now that Uganda and Nigeria have signed new draconian anti-gay bills into law, other anti-gay efforts in Africa are gaining international attention. Recently, anti-gay activists have unveiled a new initiative against the LGBTQ community in Kenya. A press release posted at the Save Our Men Initiative Facebook page announced the launch of Zuia Sodom Kabisa (Swahili for "Prevent Sodom Completely") in Nairobi on February 28th. The statement demonizes gays as "moral deviants" whose are forcing their "decadence" on Kenyan society, and whose "onslaught" has the full support of western governments.

"The voice of the homosexuals is becoming louder and bolder every day in Kenya. The support the homosexual community is getting from Western governments like Netherlands and Germany has given Homosexuals boldness that borders on intimidation for the few voices of reason that are standing against their onslaught. The vocal and incessant support the homosexuals are getting from President Barak Obama of USA is worrying. Whole nations like Uganda have been threatened with dire consequences for making a decision to ban homosexuality based on scientific-cultural facts and sound moral considerations.

Save Our Men Initiative (SOMI) in conjunction with the Church, Professionals, council of elders and religious groups, are hereby making their stand against this moral decadence that is posing a real threat to the core foundation of the Kenyan society. We insist that this is a moral issue which goes against the conscience of the silent majority in Kenya. This is about few moral deviants forcing their values and unnatural behavior on the quiet majority with the aid of Western governments who could otherwise be spending their resources in stemming the crisis in Syria and elsewhere. The west has a misplaced set of priorities when it comes to morality."

These anti-gay activists worry that Kenya may interpret its constitution in a gay-friendly manner. Earlier this month, Zuia Sodom Kabisa launched a petition drive to collect one million signatures against homosexuality, according to the Star. The petition is intended to warn Kenyan parliament against a "liberal interpretation" of the country's constitution "in favour of the homosexual community".

The launch of Zuia Sodom Kabisa comes as Kenyan lawmakers are pushing for stronger enforcement of Kenya's anti-gay laws.  Kenya's penal code already defines physical intimacy "against the order of nature" as a felony punishable by 14 years in prison, and "gross indecency" between males as punishable by 5 years in prison, reports Reuters. According to Voice of America, Kenyan MP Irungu Kang'ata has asked the country's ruling party to outline measures that the government has taken to uphold anti-gay laws. Kang'ata, the head of a new anti-gay caucus, may introduce new legislation imposing additional penalties on gays if parliament deems current laws insufficient, Voice of America reports.

LGBTQ rights supporters have expressed concern over these developments. Eric Gitari, director of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in Kenya, worries that government persecution of LGBTQ people would be a slippery slope to greater human rights violations. "If we are going to look into the bedrooms of people and supervise what they are doing, what is going to stop the government from looking at our emails, hacking into them, from listening to our phone conversations, from looking at our bank accounts and checking our transactions," Gitari said, according to the Christian Post.

Kenyan MP Irungu Kang'ata and Zuia Sodom Kabisa supporter Archbishop Arthur Kitonga participated in a panel discussion with K24 Evening Edition on the topic of gays and lesbians. At the 4:44 mark. Gitonga condemned homosexuality as contrary to the Bible, championing the Biblical mandate to men and women to be fruitful and multiply. He also seemed to suggest that Kenya's population would not have grown to over 40 million if gays had prevailed.* 

"When God created Adam and Eve, he blessed them and he told them to be fruitful and to multiply. When we began this world, when Kenya was born, now we are celebrating the Jubilee year, even if we started with the gays, we would not even be 40 million. There would [inaudible] there would be more people and in the next 30 years, there will be nobody in Kenya. The will of God is for people to multiply and to be fruitful and to be happy, so it is not scriptural, and the Bible says heaven and earth shall pass but the word of God will be fulfilled. There is judgment for gays after this life ... Gay is not biblical. It's not in the Bible, and if we can follow the scriptures very well, we know why God judged and destroyed the land of [inaudible] in the time of [inaudible] because of sodomy." 

At the 12:13 mark, Gitonga quoted Leviticus 20:13, which condemns sexual relations between men as a capital offense. At the 12:57 mark, Gitonga and K24 Evening Edition host Belinda Obura discussed the claim that African homophobia is a western import.

OBURA: So what is your argument to those who state that fellow Christians are the ones who are advocating to those principles coming from a certain aspect of the west? There are those who are pushing for it, but there are those who are stating that you're overzealous Christians and you're just wanting--they've not found a place anymore in the west to be able to advocate for their [inaudible] gays [inaudible] and have brought it to Africa?

GITONGA: Those are not committed Christians. They are fake Christians ... It's just a matter of carrying the word "Christianity", and it's not in their heart. But those who believe in the word of God, it doesn't matter which country they come from, it doesn't matter who is who, you have to follow the word of God.

Obura asked Irungu Kang'ata if the recent wave of anti-gay legislation in Africa was motivated by political ambition. At the 9:24 mark, instead of wrestling with Obura's question, Kang'ata spoke of homosexuality and bestiality in the same breath (a tired but familiar trope used by American Religious Right figures as well).

OBURA: Is it really about maintaining African culture, or is it about getting political endearment? As many people have been stating, that is what African politicians are doing, stating Ugandan president Museveni coming up for re-election, doing that as well. What's your take?

KANG'ATA: ... The reason why we don't support gay is that one of the arguments that [inaudible] support gay [inaudible] this is something that is consensual, there is no victim. If we are to agree to such kind of a theory, then to me all the victimless crime in our statute books have to go. For instance, bestiality. It is against the law to sleep with an animal. Well, if you're saying there's nothing wrong with me sleeping with a another man, what wrong is there for me to sleep with a cat, with a dog, with a monkey? There is nothing wrong!

Kang'ata and Zuia Sodom Kabisa rely on old, tired rhetoric to justify their homophobic stance, rejecting LGBTQ equality as an alleged western imposition. Their homophobic chestnuts -- LGBTQ rights as a threat to the country, equality allegedly being "forced" on the majority, gays as "deviants", homosexuality and bestiality as twin behaviors -- bear a remarkable resemblance to the anti-gay rhetoric of the American Religious Right.

Will Kenya follow in the footsteps of Uganda and Nigeria, signing even harsher anti-gay measures into law? Will the Kenyan LGBTQ community succeed in enlightening their fellow citizens, or will homophobic attitudes prevail? Will the international community take notice and call out anti-gay efforts in Kenya? How will the American Religious Right react to these developments? Kenya is the latest example of homophobia's global reach, as well as the need for global LGBTQ activism.


* Because I struggled with the speakers' accents, and because of the poor audio quality of the video, some parts of the panel discussion were inaudible.

News Tidbits

Washington Blade: Pro-LGBT Christians distance themselves from anti-gay summit

Raw Story: Fox News’ Ben Carson: ‘Re-educate the women’ because ‘they get all riled up’ over abortion

New York Times: Christian Conservatives to Meet Cruz and Rand Paul

Washington Post: Rand Paul: ‘There’s a worldwide war on Christianity’

Associated Press: German Bishop Under Fire for Spending Goes to Rome

Rolling Stone: The Hidden War Against Gay Teens: Private Christian Schools Expelling Gay Kids

Gay Star News: Christian extremist Linda Harvey: anti-bullying programs turn kids gay

KIRO TV: Pastors accused of talking church at public school

Religion News Service: Christian lawyers in Kenya oppose transgender name change

Kenya: Reinhard Bonnke Hosts Revival with Leader Accused of Crimes Against Humanity

This June, Reinhard Bonnke of Christ For All Nations (CFAN) traveled to Kenya to host the Great Jubilee Crusade in Nairobi's Uhuru Park. CFAN's accounts of the gathering included the usual claims of faith healing, with a shout-out to the Green Family (owners of Hobby Lobby) for sponsoring the event.

Among the high-profile attendees was Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, who spoke of God and national prosperity. "“I urged all Kenyans to submit to God and pray for His guidance in building a prosperous nation which all citizens can be proud of. The year of Jubilee is the year of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the year to open a new chapter as a nation," he said, according to Jamhuri Magazine.



Reinhard Bonnke's willingness to include Kenyatta in his revival gathering surprised me, given the charges against Kenyatta of an alleged role in post-election violence years ago. In late 2007 and early 2008, the re-election of Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki was disputed by challenger Raila Odinga. Amidst claims of vote-rigging, brutal violence erupted in the aftermath of the election, with scores of people dead, according to BBC News and the New York Times.

In 2011, the International Criminal Court (ICC) summoned Kenyatta and five other men for their reported role in Kenya's post-election violence. All six accepted the summons. Kenyatta denied any role in crimes against humanity and insisted that he would be vindicated at his ICC trial, reports BBC.

According to Human Rights Watch, Kenyatta and several other men stand accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual violence, deportation or forcible transfer, and other inhumane acts. The prosecution alleges that the accused did so to attack perceived supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement and keep President Mwai Kibaki’s Party of National Unity in power. To carry out atrocities, the accused allegedly recruited the Mungiki, a Kenyan criminal organization with a history of police killings, ethnic strife, and extortion. A recent article in the Daily Nation states that Kenyatta's lawyers are trying to postpone his ICC trial until January 2014, a move that ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda opposes.

The ICC trial involving Kenyatta has been marked by disturbing controversies. A February 2013 BBC News article said that dozens of potential witnesses for the case have reportedly gone missing, although these claims are difficult to independently verify. "Each one of them was involved in the post-election violence in Naivasha and Nakuru ... they all disappeared without trace," said Pail Muite, a lawyer representing the wives of several of the vanished men.

With these charges in mind, Kenyatta's comments about forgiveness at CFAN's Great Jubilee Crusade take a different tone. According to Standard Digital, Kenyatta prayed for forgiveness from anyone he had wronged.

"This is a year ... to forget all the wrong things that have happened to us and unite in God ... I am not bitter with anybody. And if there is anybody I have wronged, I pray that he or she may forgive me. If there is anyone who has wronged me, I also forgive them."

CFAN's account of Kenyatta speech was enthusiastic, with no mention of his pending ICC trial. With allegations of violence and an ICC trial hanging over Kenyatta, I wonder what Bonnke's reasoning was for including him in the Great Jubilee Crusade. Did he simply want a powerful, well-recognized leader to promote his Christian message? How does he feel about these serious allegations of crimes against humanity?

I realize that Kenyatta has not been convicted of crimes against humanity at this time, and that he is entitled to a fair ICC trial. Still, these allegations should give preachers such as Bonnke pause. If Bonnke and CFAN aren't careful, they may court controversy over the worshippers they keep company with.

News Tidbits

New York Times: Young Opponents of Same-Sex Marriage Undaunted

United Press International: Gov. Christie unsure on 'gay conversion'

Gay Star News: Feminism turns people gay, warns Brazil’s human rights boss

Identity Kenya: Kenyan Religious Leaders Want Condom Ad Removed For Immorality

ACLJ Establishes Affiliate Office in Brazil

The American Religious Right is a sophisticated movement, networking and outreaching with like-minded people across the globe. Outreach can take the form of affiliate offices overseas, giving such groups international influence. One example of a globally connected right-wing organization is the American Center for Law and Justice.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is a legal advocacy and litigation organization with a decidedly anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ equality stance. Since its creation in 1990 by Pat Robertson, it has advocated for crisis pregnancy centers, the Defense of Marriage Act, public Ten Commandments displays, and a host of other Religious Right issues. The ACLJ is headed by chief counsel Jay Sekulow and executive director Jordan Sekulow, who have a history of right-wing activism and comments.

Political Research Associates reports that the ACLJ is branching out to South America. In a January 26th report, Jandira Queiroz reported that Filipe Coelho was launching a Brazilian branch of the ACLJ in Goiânia, Brazil. Coelho heralds from a devoted evangelical family with close ties to the Sekulows. According to the report, Coelho opposes an anti-homophobia bill currently under consideration in Brazil, arguing that “homosexuals are trying to treat homosexuality as if it were a race, while it is really an attitude, a behavior.”

The Brazilian Center for Law and Justice (BCLJ) is only the most recent ACLJ overseas affiliate to arise. According to its website, the ACLJ has affiliate offices around the globe in Russia, France, Israel, Pakistan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Korea. For example, Political Research Associates' 2012 report Colonizing African Values: How the U.S. Christian Right Is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa, describes the efforts of ACLJ's African affiliates in drafting policy and resisting LGBTQ rights in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Queiroz speculated that branching out into Brazil was a strategic move for the ACLJ, as Brazil is a large Christian country with a rapidly growing Protestant population. As a result, evangelical representation in politics is expanding, and the ACLJ/BCLJ may be seeking a niche in this growing political scene. To boot, Brazil also "exports" religious ideas to its South American neighbors, Queiroz observes, making it a powerful cultural as well as economic force in the region. Brazil also has a politically active LGBTQ movement, as well as its own Religious Right voices that oppose LGBTQ rights legislation.

However, Queiroz reminds readers that the BCLJ/ACLJ's influence over the Brazilian political scene is far from solid yet. The presence of other evangelical groups means that the BCLJ/ACLJ will encounter competition.

"Brazil is a country of contradictions. It can produce the Brazilian Carnival and lay the intellectual foundation for the Christian conservative group American Society for Tradition, Family and Property. It has a president who worked on the shop floor and was educated by the Roman Catholic Left, and it is home to right-wing Christian empires such as the Universal Church and the Assembly of God Victory in Christ. This country, just as the poets have said, isn’t for beginners. Whoever wants to navigate its wonderful byways must tread carefully. If BCLJ pursues a legal and diplomatic focus through one-on-one networking, it may someday find a niche for itself among the powerbrokers. But it is organizing in a very competitive environment, one in which evangelicals have already made a vigorous bid for political power and have found ways to generate huge cash resources. So BCLJ’s path to power is far from clear."

As I've emphasized before, Religious Right activism is a global issue. The ACLJ's expansion into Brazil and other countries is indicative of an organization that is thinking globally as well as nationally. No doubt the ACLJ's international affiliates will defend right-wing causes, now that worldwide progressive causes and cultural fault lines are more prominent than ever. while the result of the ACLJ's expansion overseas remains to be seen, international advocates for LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, church-state separation should be aware of its presence.

For additional commentary, visit the following links.

Buzzfeed: American Christian Legal Group Exports Anti-LGBT Agenda To Brazil

News Tidbits

CNN: Christians take discrimination cases to Europe's top court

NKY Cincinnati: Kentucky can continue crediting God for homeland security

Pennlive: Christian school claims dispute over homosexuality doctrine, not disability, prompted decision not to rehire teacher

North Jersey Record: Retired N.J. abortion doctor speaks up, again

Identity Kenya: "Ex-Lesbian" Bares All On TV; Says Jesus Helped Her Overcome Lesbianism

The Advocate: Minneapolis Archbisop Urges Catholics to Ban Marriage Equality

News Tidbits

Christian Post: Jack Schaap Fired From First Baptist Hammond Church Reportedly for Adultery; Accused of Affair With Teen Girl

Women's eNews: Doors Slammed Shut on Christian Singers Coming Out

Pennlive: Youth pastor to fight charges in fake terrorist raid, lawyer says

KOAT 7: School rejects 3-year-old because parents are gay

NBC News: Republican likens contraceptive mandate to Pearl Harbor, 9/11

Gaystar News: Ex-gay group head says 'no magic wand' to cure gays

Kommersant: Orthodox Church Loses Either Way as the Pussy Riot Trial Heats Up

The Local: German Bishop Calls for Blasphemy Laws

Identity Kenya: Kenya Catholic Bishops In Renewed Drive To Oppose Contraception, Same Sex Unions

CNN: Dutchman builds replica Noah's Ark after flood dream

News Tidbits

Edge Boston: US Religious Right Presses Anti-Gay Laws in Africa

MSN: Jim Henson Company ends business relationship with Chick-fil-A over anti-gay views

Washington Post: Chick fil-A Appreciation Day’ announced by Mike Huckabee amidst gay marriage debate

The Advocate: Right Wing Says Judge Is a Lesbian, Should Be Off Marriage Case

Gaystar News: Family Research Council says Google is destroying values with gay rights

Gaystar News: Kenya bishop says gays are worse than terrorists