Our government didn't hesitate to soundly and publicly condemn Uganda's anti-gay laws, even though a number of other countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon and our "pal" in the ME, Saudi Arabia, have equally oppressive laws. But of course, they all have one thing Uganda hasn't got, and it involves a simple three letter word. Three guesses and the first two don't count.
The measure of our government's outrage against the persecution of LGBTs abroad depends solely on games of political and economic chess. I have a couple of links that outline anti-gay laws in Africa and around the world, many of them our so-called "allies".
http://allafrica.com/stories/201402281416.html (A fairly comprehensive look at anti-gay laws in African nations)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-kelly/10-key-us-allies-with-ant_b_3984532.html (And no, I'm not a Putinista -- this article just provided a handy link)
With regard to the Pope's silence, it really is telling, primarily because Bishops and Archbishops in Nigeria, as well as in Cameroon, Uganda and other African nations, joined with evangelical hatemongers to fan the flames of bigotry and even came out in support of the new anti-gay laws. But he can't exactly condemn the persecution of gays in Africa and rein in his own Bishops there when the USCCB right here at home is waging its own war of anti-gay legislation and lobbying.
The rights of women and LGBTs are but pawns in a global chess game of economics, resources, religion and power. And just like in chess, those pawns can be quickly sacrificed for the particular "end game". In the meanwhile, we can wait for a word from Rome or an offer of asylum from our own country to LGBT refugees. The silence will tell us all we need to know.
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