We are all God’s children

THE EDITOR, Sir: THE BIBLE teaches us that knowing the truth makes us free (John 8:32). I believe this acknowledgment applies to human sexuality as well. Members of the clergy in Uganda are gradually changing their attitudes and moving towards understanding the diversity inherent in human sexuality.

During my recent visit to Jamaica, I discovered that people are often biased against LGBTQI people, using Bible passages to bitterly attack them as sinners. Clearly, LGBTQI people in Jamaica are stigmatised.

At Montego Bay Pride, which I was invited to attend, I heard a medical student speak up against homosexuality on medical grounds. He claimed that LGBTQI people carry sexually transmitted infections.

I remember thinking that as a future doctor, he should be more concerned about teaching people how to prevent and treat disease rather than promoting the misconception that LGBTQI people spread disease.

I was also saddened to see a young gay person who had been severely tortured because of his sexual orientation. Unfortunately, discrimination and violence against LGBTQI people are often backed by church leaders.

I believe that the remedy to all these misconceptions is education. In Uganda, my organisation, St Paul’s Reconciliation and Equality Centre, tries to educate the clergy and others by offering workshops and seminars, where we discuss diversity among human beings.

Next week, for instance, we will be facilitating a workshop