U.S. Condemns Violent Anti Gay Statements Of Gambia's President

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Gambia President Yahya Jammeh via wikipedia
Gambia President Yahya Jammeh is an extreme anti gay bigot. These are the words of a truly evil person. These words literally kill. I am glad that the U.S. is condemning this hate speech. 

 Via Washington Blade:

 “If you do it [in Gambia] I will slit your throat,” Jammeh reportedly said. “If you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it.” 

 The remarks are the latest action from the Gambia leader enabling anti-gay violence in the country. In October, Jemmeh signed into a law making “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by life in prison. As defined under the law, “aggravated homosexuality” includes “serial offenders” of homosexuality as well as engaging in homosexual conduct with a minor or while having HIV. 

 Here is National Security Advisor Susan Rice's statement of condemnation:
Tomorrow, the international community will mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. This day and every day, the United States stands in solidarity with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and all those around the world who work to advance the unassailable principle that LGBT rights are human rights. The recent unconscionable comments by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh underscore why we must continue to seek a world in which no one lives in fear of violence or persecution because of who they are or whom they love. We condemn his comments, and note these threats come amid an alarming deterioration of the broader human rights situation in The Gambia. We are deeply concerned about credible reports of torture, suspicious disappearances – including of two American citizens – and arbitrary detention at the government’s hands. The United States in late 2014 acted on The Gambia’s crackdown against its LGBT community and wider human rights violations by ending trade preferences, and we are reviewing what additional actions are appropriate to respond to this worsening situation. We repeat our call for the Gambian government, and all governments, to lead inclusively, repudiate intolerance, and promote respect for the universal rights and fundamental freedoms of all people.

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