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Statement by the President on the Killing of David Kato

I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of David Kato.  In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate.  He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom.  The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work. 

At home and around the world, LGBT persons continue to be subjected to unconscionable bullying, discrimination, and hate.  In the weeks preceding David Kato’s murder in Uganda, five members of the LGBT community in Honduras were also murdered.  It is essential that the Governments of Uganda and Honduras investigate these killings and hold the perpetrators accountable.

LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights.  My Administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad.  We do this because we recognize the threat faced by leaders like David Kato, and we share their commitment to advancing freedom, fairness, and equality for all. 

In addition, The National Black Justice Coalition issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON - NBJC joins LGBT people and our allies around the world in mourning the death of David Kato, an LGBT activist who was murdered in Uganda. We join with President Obama in calling for those responsible for this hateful act of violence to be brought to justice and for an end to anti-LGBT violence everywhere.

This week’s E-Digest contains many stories documenting each side of the marriage equality debate prepping for the next round of battles. The articles discuss the strategies being readied by legislators, attorneys, and activists at the federal, state, and local levels.
 
As these events unfold, NBJC’s role in the upcoming battles is clear. We are dedicated to providing leadership at the intersection of mainstream civil rights groups and mainstream LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African American LGBT community that are often relegated to the sidelines. “Building Stronger Black Families” is one of NBJC’s primary goals, and we understand that without authentic, meaningful representation and active participation from the African American LGBT community, LGBT equality cannot be positioned effectively within the broader civil rights context.

Some believe that the struggle for marriage equality is being fueled by the affluent, white members of the LGBT community who are largely interested in securing access to tax breaks and simplified estate planning. However, a new analysis of 2010 Census data shows that, in the absence of marriage equality, Black LGBT couples experience greater financial hardships and lack essential health care coverage, which unnecessarily exposes their children to greater health risks. 

Marriage equality will benefit the larger LGBT movement, but it will specifically help Black LGBT families gain access to the necessary tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world and begin to chip away at the disparities that impact our families.

The situation described is the “intersection” at which NBJC’s role as a bridge builder becomes critical. NBJC has accepted the charge to lead a Black LGBT agenda to strengthen the bonds and bridge the gaps within African American communities and within LGBT communities to improve the quality of life for Black LGBT people.

Onward and upward,

Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks
Executive Director

Also, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Vice-Chair and founding member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus released the following statement:

WASHINGTON - “It is with great sadness that we receive the news of the horrific murder of David Kato Kisulle, an LGBT rights advocate in Uganda, who was “outted” by an anti-gay magazine’s witch-hunt campaign. My thoughts and prayers are extended to David’s family, friends and civil rights colleagues.

“This type of targeted violence against members of our global community is deplorable and must be condemned by all.

“I urge the Government of Uganda to take immediate steps to protect its citizens from any such future discriminatory acts and campaigns against personal freedoms rooted in fear and hostility.

“We all share a responsibility to denounce incitement to violence against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity wherever it may occur, and further to ensure a basic respect for human rights and dignity espoused by David in his work.