‘Anti-Homosexuality’ Bill Threatening LGBT Ugandans

By Sofia Sanchez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

The United States is being called upon to help terminate an ‘Anti-Homosexuality' bill’ that is being proposed in Uganda.

Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director of The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), told Talk Radio News Service on Friday that the legislation "would essentially make homosexuality punishable by life imprisonment or death."

Accoring to Nipper, passage of the bill would also affect the already limited distribution of information on HIV in Uganda through a provision criminalizing the “promotion of homosexuality.” In addition, the bill would establish a new crime, “aggravated homosexuality,” also punishable by death for anyone in Uganda. Citizens who are HIV positive and have consensual “same-sex relations” would face the same harsh penalties as well.

According to a statement released by the NGLTF, “it is imperative that the Obama administration and Congress push Uganda to withdraw this bill in its entirety. Simply removing the death penalty doesn’t somehow make this a humane bill. Weather it be the state-sponsored murder of LGTB Ugandans or their life imprisonment for simply being who they are is barbaric and unacceptable.”

American officials have taken initial steps toward terminating the bill, said Nipper. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has contacted President Yoweri Museveni to express concerns about the proposed law. In addition, a congressional hearing will be held next week which will be chaired by U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) under the support of Human Rights Commission President Tom Lantos.

The NGLTF is also calling upon all Americans to help halt the passage of this bill. “All Americans should be concerned about basic human rights violations wherever they occur in the world,” said Nipper. “It’s in many ways who we are as a people, we care about all people and we care about the dignity of all people regardless of race, sexual orientation or identity, it is important for us to stand by the values we established in the world.”

House Pushing Legislation Encouraging Americans To Donate To Haiti Relief Fund

By Sofia Sanchez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Thursday announced measures they are taking to help with the relief effort in Haiti.

CBC Chairwoman Rep. Maxine Waters (R-Calif.) said that the House has passed a bill offering immediate tax benefits to Americans who make charitable contributions to aid Haiti victims. The legislation, which passed unanimously, will allow individuals to claim any donations to the relief effort as an itemized deduction on their 2009 tax return.

“I have been moved and inspired by the outpouring of support from America for the Haitian people,” said Waters.

Waters also said she has introduced legislation to require the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to “cancel all of Haiti’s debts.” Members of the Caucus believe that this will free up the country’s meager resources, allowing it to begin meeting its immediate and long-term needs.

Reid Confirms That There Will Be No Work On Health Care Until Brown Arrives

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) confirmed Wednesday that the Senate will abstain from health care reform negotiations until newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown (Mass.) comes to Washington.

"We are going to wait until the new Senator arrives to do anything more on health care,” said Reid. “We need to work with [Republicans] as partners and not partisans to improve the individual lives of Americans.”

Referring to the Republican party as the party of ‘no,' Reid offered his hope that 2010 will be more productive and unified.

“As we have worked to relieve the suffering of the American people, Republicans have made a political calculation not to participate, and that was evident to what took place last year,” Reid stated. “Their answer to everything has been no. Hard to comprehend, even with funding the troops.”

Reid’s message to Republicans is that the people of Massachusetts gave them a new opportunity to govern, and he hopes that the minority party will take that opportunity to govern fairly.

“The election in Massachusetts changes the math in the Senate,” said Reid. “But it does not change the fact that people are hurting, it does does not change our commitment to help those who are hurting.”

Government Funded Research Should Hold Commercial Benefits, Says Commerce Secretary

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

According to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, research that is performed through the use of federal funds should provide commercial benefits.

“We must do everything in our power to optimize commercialization from our nation’s vast research instruments, this is an issue that the commerce office is working to find solutions for,” said Locke Tuesday during remarks at a luncheon hosted by the Kauffman Foundation.

Last fall the Department of Commerce opened the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. According to Locke, the main mandate for this office is to drive policy and programs to help entrepreneurs translate new ideas, products and services into economic growth.

The Department of Commerce with the partnership of the Kauffman Foundation will host a forum with universities, innovators, entrepreneurs and other key stake holders on February, 24th.