Update: Kill homophobia not gays

This is an update I had on my email from a previous post:

Eamonn -

Good news -- Barclays and Citibank have responded tothe petition which you signed calling on them to condemn Uganda's "Kill the Gays" Bill. 

Barclays said: "Barclays is aware of the proposed legislation relating to homosexuality in Uganda and we are engaging at appropriate levels of the Ugandan Government to express our views."

Frank Mugisha, a gay rights activist from Uganda told me that the statement from Barclays is "a landmark" and the first time a multinational company has responded to the legislation. 

Unfortunately Citibank refused to condemn or directly address the bill. In fact their statement is pretty dismissive*. 

It is significant that Barclays has spoken for the first time about the Bill. Citibank now need to do the same. And we need to keep up the pressure on both banks to make sure they use their influence this week as the Bill is set to be debated in Parliament. 

So I'm asking you to please take a moment to share this petition on Facebook,Twitter or by forwarding the email below to your friends. 

These statements are progress but for companies that support diversity in the UK and the US it is disappointing that they are not yet willing to condemn persecution of LGBT people in Uganda. 

The Bill could pass any day now so our continued pressure is vital.

Thank you for your support,
Patrick

PS - You can read Barclays & Citibank's statements in full at the bottom of the petition page.

---------- Email to forward to a friend ------------ 

In a matter of days Uganda's parliament is set to pass the so-called "Kill the Gays" bill, which could enshrine in law the death penalty for LGBT people. 

Activists in Uganda say that one way to stop this is by putting pressure on banks with large resources in the country to condemn the bill. Barclays and Citibank both have millions of pounds invested in Uganda and wield a huge influence on the government. 

Please join me and sign this petition on Change.org asking Barclays and Citibank to condemn the "Kill the Gays" bill. 

Thank you,