A college racial equality officer has sparked fury after it emerged he had posted a series of shocking messages on Facebook in support of Uganda’s controversial Anti-Gay Bill – one saying it would protect citizens from “further spreading” of HIV.
Halifax College rookie Denis, whose full name we cannot disclose, quit his post following the outburst on social media last week.
In a series of online rants, the elected official, who had only been in his position for three weeks, hailed Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni for not bowing “down to pressure from the West” and “leading the way in safeguarding our children from bewildered outside influences”.
“In Uganda the traditional Alcholis, as well as that of the Buganda, Bunyoro-Kitara, Busoga and Toro kingdoms, have for a long time not accepted the practice of homosexuality, as the subject matter is seen as taboo,” he posted.
“I am all for the protection of civil liberties and rights as constituted by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I have a problem with its promotion.”
He added: “Furthermore, Uganda has for a very long time suffered with high rates of HIV/AIDS, especially since the inception of war in the North in the 1980s. Now, I see the law as a means of safeguarding citizens who are already vulnerable from further spreading the virus, as reports indicate the rate of spreading the virus amongst gay men is a great concern worldwide.
“Lastly, as a Roman Catholic I fully subscribe to and believe in the teachings of Divine Law and that it does not become a sin until the said person acts upon the desire, either by acting out the desire or by encouraging the desire. So for Uganda at this time, I feel this is right and just.”
The undergraduate faced calls to quit from LGBTQ officers on Sunday evening after Vision obtained the messages earlier over the weekend.
Jack Chadwick, the Halifax College LGBTQ officer, said the remarks were part of the “ignorance spread by violent anti-queer propaganda in countries like Uganda”.
But he said blame should not rest on “specific individuals” and efforts to tackle the problem should be done through a “focus on education”.
He added: “It’s completely inappropriate for these views to be legitimised by having a supporter on the HCSA committee. The person in question must resign, or face removal.”
YUSU LGBTQ officer, Maddie Boden, said the comments worried the gay community. She told Vision: “Already York has been affected by these laws, when student David Kato was murdered in Uganda in 2011 because of his sexuality.
“To hear a college welfare representative make these sort of comments worries us – an LGBTQ and BME identified student probably would not feel comfortable approaching him now. His comments were inappropriate in relation to the role he holds and we hope that the JCRC is mindful of this if they do decide to take further action.”
David Kato was an LGBT activist and Ugandan teacher who was described as the country’s “first openly gay man”.
He was a student within the university’s Centre for Applied Human Rights from 2009 to 2010, but was murdered in January 2011.
Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda under the Penal Code and carries life imprisonment.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill would make it a criminal offence to have gay sex or for same-sex couples to get married.
It also carries life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality” and criminalises any of its “promotion”, where activists encourage others to reveal their sexual orientation.
A first-year student, who does not wish to be named, said they were “shocked” by the bill.
“These comments should not be made by any person who has been elected by members of the university. He must go,” they told us.
Jessica Smith, Vice-Welfare President for Halifax, said: “While we do not condone the behaviour of the individual, it is important to maintain the welfare and safety of all those involved. We wish to reiterate that the individual’s belief is not the opinion of the committee as a whole. If anyone feels affected they should contact their College Tutor, College Dean or their Provost.”
In a statement, Denis said: “As I hold a position of representation and accountability for our fellow students, I now understand that the comments I made were inappropriate and I therefore offer my sincerest apologies to anyone who has been affected by my comments.
“I have since removed the Facebook post in question and released a public apology in its place. On February 22nd 2014 I handed in my formal resignation as Racial Equality Officer to the Vice President of Welfare for the Halifax College Students Association.”
A statement by the Halifax College Student Association posted on Facebook on Sunday said they had “accepted the resignation of the Racial Equality Officer”.
Loussin-Torah Pilikian, the Halifax College President, said: “Due to recent events, the student in question feels that they are no longer able to represent the views of Halifax College members, and therefore has since handed in their resignation. We expect to begin recruitment of our vacant positions from the beginning of Summer Term.”
Ugandan scientist: the world’s newest oxymoron
Hey Reason, let’s not respond to ignorance with more ignorance.
I personally agree, why should they have to bow to our western ideas. Each to their own
Ultimate frape.
Honestly don’t understand why the bill isn’t introduced into the UK. We need a stronger government to employ these changes!
Are the comments on this article for real? This bill is morally repugnant.
I don’t get why a man has to resign over his personal beliefs! He’s a minority officer not LGBTQ. No need to resign!
@Rigger
As a member of the welfare team students need to feel able to approach him. Some students might have felt unable to approach him because of his personal beliefs, and so if he hadn’t chosen to resign would not be an accessible welfare representative.
You have to remember that anyone in any position in the welfare team holds a responsibility to make themselves approachable to the college, not just people covered by their title. There could also be people who consider themselves both LGBTQ and minority that he should be able to represent.
Are these comments serious? How did you get into this university? Stupidity and ignorance. This a diverse and welcoming university, if you have views to the contrary then don’t run for a student position of responsibility and visibility.
It’s important that the welfare team can work together too, not just as individuals. LGBTQ/other members of the team may find it hard to sit in the same room as him if they don’t share his views..maybe that’s another reason he ‘resigned’
Hey africans, where are you standing for? Are queit because Amrican are angry with our traditional? Leaders and other people tell us your ipinion.