Don Schmierer has traveled all around the world and been to Uganda several times including this past spring. He just recently came back home after a few weeks of traveling and saw our email inviting him to sign the letter we sent asking Ugandan President to oppose the anti-homosexuality bill being presented there. Don’s response was, “Yes, you can include my name in this very well written letter.”
We went ahead and sent the letter November 16th because we felt the timing was right to do so but are very happy to add Don’s name to the document today.
A little more about Don, Don is the author of several books including An Ounce of Prevention: Preventing the Homosexual Condition in Today’s Youth and has spent more than 50 years counseling young people dealing with life-dominating issues. He has assisted numerous AIDS hospice ministries, speaks internationally about such issues and has addressed the World Congress of Families in Geneva, Warsaw and Amsterdam.
The text of the letter (below) is the exact same, we have just added Don’s name. We have included the below information as an FYI for the post with related links at the end.
November 16, 2009
President & Mrs. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
c/o Principal Private Secretary, Amelia Kyambadde
State House Nakasero
P.O. Box 24594
Kampala, UgandaDear President & Mrs. Museveni,
As evangelical Christian leaders dedicated to advancing the truths of the Bible worldwide, we commend your work to promote ethics in Uganda. In addition, your efforts to eradicate the HIV/AIDS epidemic have been appropriately praised internationally and we are praying for your continued success.
We want to humbly share our concerns regarding The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, introduced before the Ugandan parliament on October 14, 2009. First, we believe that sexual crimes against children, homosexual or heterosexual, are the most serious of offenses and should be punished accordingly. Homosexual behavior in consensual relationships, however, is another matter.
While we do not believe that homosexual behavior is what God intended for individuals, we believe that deprivation of life and liberty is not an appropriate or helpful response to this issue. Furthermore, the Christian church must be a safe, compassionate place for gay-identified people as well as those who are confused about and conflicted by their sexuality. If homosexual behavior and knowledge of such behavior is criminalized and prosecuted, as proposed in this bill, church and ministry leaders will be unable to assist hurting men, women and youth who might otherwise seek help in addressing this personal issue. The Christian church cannot and should not condone homosexual living or gay-identified clergy within its leadership, but it must be permitted to extend the love and compassion of Christ to all. We believe that this legislation would make this mission a difficult if not impossible task to carry out.
Many of us and those we know and work with have personally struggled with unwanted homosexual attractions and once lived as gay individuals, but have since found a new identity in Jesus Christ and have gone on to live lives that reflect the teaching of the Christian faith. We sincerely believe that such transformations cannot best be achieved in an environment of government coercion where the vital support, care and compassion of others in the Christian community is discouraged and prosecuted.
Please consider the influence this law will have upon those who may seek help in dealing with this difficult issue as well as church and ministry leaders committed to demonstrating the compassion of Christ to all. We are praying for you, for this matter and for the people of Uganda.
Sincerely,
Alan Chambers
President of Exodus International, Orlando, Florida
Former homosexualRandy Thomas
Executive Vice President, Exodus International, Orlando, Florida
Former homosexualChristopher Yuan
Adjunct Instructor, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois
HIV Survivor
AIDS Activist
Former homosexualWarren Throckmorton, Ph.D.
Member of the Clinical Advisory Board of the American Association of Christian Counselors
Grove City, PennsylvaniaDon Schmierer
Board Member of Exodus International
Founder of His Servants Ministry
Member of the Clinical Advisory Board of the American Association of Christian Counselors
Sacramento, California
MORE:
Charisma News Online Picks Up Ugandan Story
Exodus International Sends Letter Opposing Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Martin Ssempa Should Renounce Support for Proposed Ugandan Criminalization of Homosexuality
Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals
PLUS:
Dr. Warren Throckmorton has started a Facebook group as a central point for news and information on the subject.
About Randy Thomas
This is good news. I am concerned, however, that some Ugandan leaders (Langa) are dimissing the letter as a hoax — “at a symposium on the Bahati bill at Makerere University when it was offered and should have had its most force, Langa diffused it by saying it was gays that hacked the Exodus website and put up a false letter.”
Alan said that Exodus would not “stop at the letter” — and I really believe you are keeping that promise. But now, the letter is being called a hoax. It looks like there is more to be done. Would you all consider sending a copy to Langa? Or better yet, The signers could make a short video statement — Faces might be more convincing than words.
Yeah, I doubt that the “hoax” story is truly accurate. If it is than Langa is in serious denial if he can’t see the letter on our website and multiple blog posts. And with multiple copies of the letter being sent into Uganda … he will look ignorant if he actually said that.
This is good news. I am concerned, however, that some Ugandan leaders (Langa) are dimissing the letter as a hoax — “at a symposium on the Bahati bill at Makerere University when it was offered and should have had its most force, Langa diffused it by saying it was gays that hacked the Exodus website and put up a false letter.”
Alan said that Exodus would not “stop at the letter” — and I really believe you are keeping that promise. But now, the letter is being called a hoax. It looks like there is more to be done. Would you all consider sending a copy to Langa? Or better yet, The signers could make a short video statement — Faces might be more convincing than words.
Yeah, I doubt that the “hoax” story is truly accurate. If it is than Langa is in serious denial if he can’t see the letter on our website and multiple blog posts. And with multiple copies of the letter being sent into Uganda … he will look ignorant if he actually said that.
I personally think the letter can’t be easily brushed aside when the President of the country and his wife are getting copies. But, am I surprised you eventually came back around thinking the letter wasn’t good enough? ::: smile :::
I personally think the letter can’t be easily brushed aside when the President of the country and his wife are getting copies. But, am I surprised you eventually came back around thinking the letter wasn’t good enough? ::: smile :::
Randy:
You misunderstood me. The letter itself is fine. Unlike some activists who wanted Exodus to stand up for “gay rights”, I think it is “good enough” — especially followed up by Alan’s very strong comments on Throckmorton.
I believe Exodus strongly opposes this Bill. I have defended Exodus many times against critics who say you guys don’t mean it or don’t care. The letter denounces the law and reflects Exodus’s primary concern about how the Church needs to be a safe place and how ministry to strugglers would be impaired.
I just don’t want to see it dismissed. Especially not now that Don has signed it.
Great. I am glad you are strongly supportive of the letter. I am just saying that the letter can’t be easily dismissed or ignored. He can try but it will only undermine any credibility he might have with Ugandan leaders to say this was a hoax when his own President and First Lady have a copy on our letterhead.
Randy:
You misunderstood me. The letter itself is fine. Unlike some activists who wanted Exodus to stand up for “gay rights”, I think it is “good enough” — especially followed up by Alan’s very strong comments on Throckmorton.
I believe Exodus strongly opposes this Bill. I have defended Exodus many times against critics who say you guys don’t mean it or don’t care. The letter denounces the law and reflects Exodus’s primary concern about how the Church needs to be a safe place and how ministry to strugglers would be impaired.
I just don’t want to see it dismissed. Especially not now that Don has signed it.
Great. I am glad you are strongly supportive of the letter. I am just saying that the letter can’t be easily dismissed or ignored. He can try but it will only undermine any credibility he might have with Ugandan leaders to say this was a hoax when his own President and First Lady have a copy on our letterhead.
Randy: YES. I am strongly supportive of the Exodus letter. I have been supportive from the moment it was issued. I very much want it to be taken seriously — especially in Uganda. But it seems it IS being dismissed and ignored by people who have not seen the actual letter. A video statement would erase any doubt. Just a thought. I won’t belabor the point here.
Repeat, it’s good letter and it’s VERY good that Don signed it. I just posted on the Facebook group that this was a “positive development”. His signature is very important. Thanks. I will keep correcting anyone who claims you guys don’t mean it or don’t care. I believe you do. Today, let’s all pray for World AIDS Day and for the defeat of this bill. In Him, Michael
Randy: YES. I am strongly supportive of the Exodus letter. I have been supportive from the moment it was issued. I very much want it to be taken seriously — especially in Uganda. But it seems it IS being dismissed and ignored by people who have not seen the actual letter. A video statement would erase any doubt. Just a thought. I won’t belabor the point here.
Repeat, it’s good letter and it’s VERY good that Don signed it. I just posted on the Facebook group that this was a “positive development”. His signature is very important. Thanks. I will keep correcting anyone who claims you guys don’t mean it or don’t care. I believe you do. Today, let’s all pray for World AIDS Day and for the defeat of this bill. In Him, Michael
Hi Randy
Boy, that was fast, deletin me off your facebook site. Did you not like hearing your fellow Evangelists words to the public in Uganda? Harsh to hear all those lies about LGBTQI people cloaked in “understand the homosexual.” It must make your heart hurt to know deep down your organization helped light the match to the fear fire in Uganda and now, the death penalty.
And really you should butch up your picture if you think anyone is going to believe you are not gay.
Yeah, it didn’t take long to figure out you weren’t really wanting to be my fbff (facebook friend forever.)
You state:
Do you find it surprising I deleted your access to my facebook profile?
It’s interesting you say, in the quote above, exactly the same thing I hear from truly homophobic people from time to time.
When I identified as gay I didn’t apologize for my appearance and demeanor. I won’t start now that I am not gay.
Our letter, and linked posts at the bottom of the post make it clear we believe the legislation is horrible. We may not agree with you, and certainly not your misrepresentation of Don, on the best course a person could self-determine for their life with same sex attractions but we do agree that this bill would be a horrible travesty is passed.
And, not engaging you in a public battle is not the same as not listening to what you have to say. Post all you want here, I’ll get it … I just won’t let it through to be published publicly (unless I or the team determine it fits within our guidelines.)
Hi Randy
Boy, that was fast, deletin me off your facebook site. Did you not like hearing your fellow Evangelists words to the public in Uganda? Harsh to hear all those lies about LGBTQI people cloaked in “understand the homosexual.” It must make your heart hurt to know deep down your organization helped light the match to the fear fire in Uganda and now, the death penalty.
And really you should butch up your picture if you think anyone is going to believe you are not gay.
Yeah, it didn’t take long to figure out you weren’t really wanting to be my fbff (facebook friend forever.)
You state:
Do you find it surprising I deleted your access to my facebook profile?
It’s interesting you say, in the quote above, exactly the same thing I hear from truly homophobic people from time to time.
When I identified as gay I didn’t apologize for my appearance and demeanor. I won’t start now that I am not gay.
Our letter, and linked posts at the bottom of the post make it clear we believe the legislation is horrible. We may not agree with you, and certainly not your misrepresentation of Don, on the best course a person could self-determine for their life with same sex attractions but we do agree that this bill would be a horrible travesty is passed.
And, not engaging you in a public battle is not the same as not listening to what you have to say. Post all you want here, I’ll get it … I just won’t let it through to be published publicly (unless I or the team determine it fits within our guidelines.)
For what it’s worth, I like the picture. It doesn’t make you look gay — whatever that is.
For what it’s worth, I like the picture. It doesn’t make you look gay — whatever that is.