Recent investigations have unveiled troubling connections between Family Watch International, a U.S.-based organization, and the formulation of stringent anti-LGBTQ+ laws in African countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana. The organization, professing to uphold ‘family values,’ is accused of covertly influencing legislation that includes severe penalties, even death, for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The African Impact
These laws have not only strengthened existing homophobic attitudes but also led to a spike in violence and persecution against the LGBTQ+ community. In Uganda, the recent enactment of laws penalizing homosexuality with life imprisonment or death has been linked to Family Watch International’s influence. Despite the organization’s denial, evidence suggests their deep involvement in shaping these legislations, working closely with African politicians and lawmakers.
International Condemnation and Local Defiance
While the international community, including the U.S. President, has condemned these laws as human rights violations, the influence of conservative groups like Family Watch International continues to cast a long shadow. Activists and human rights advocates are tirelessly working to combat these laws and support the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the urgent need for global solidarity in the face of such discrimination.