Bruce Knotts, Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office to be in Dallas for a Informal Discussion

Bruce Knotts, Executive Director UU - UNO "An Informal Discussion"Wednesday, Feb. 3rd.

Free and Open to the Public

Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff
3839 W. Kiest Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75233
(214) 337-2429

Bruce Knotts, Director of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, was the person responsible for getting BLGT issues added to the UN's civil rights agenda. Come meet him and two of his associates for an informal discussion.

The UU United Nations Office seeks to strengthen efforts to promote peace and to eliminate war, discrimination, poverty and disease, thus affirming our belief in the essential unity of the human family. Inspired by UU principles, the Office is committed to peace, freedom and environmental responsibility, as well as social, civil and economic justice for all.

The UU UNO is an associate member of the UUA with United Nations ECOSOC consultative status and DPI/NGO status. With its own board, budget, and programs, the Office speaks, acts and bears witness on behalf of Unitarian Universalists at the United Nations and within the governments of Canada and the US to educate UUs about the structure, function, and actions of the UN.

Ugandan transgender fugitive Pepe Julian Onziema

Imagine being a law abiding citizen yet living in fear for your life, having been stoned by neighbors and falsely imprisoned by your government, and your only crime?

Being transgender!

KAMPALA, Jan 29, 2010 (IPS) - Every morning Pepe Julian Onziema wakes up not knowing if she will live to see another rising sun. Onziema is transgender and she lives in fear for her life because of a national campaign against gay people.

Although she has done nothing wrong, Onziema lives like a fugitive - always on the lookout to avoid trouble.

Her days are spent in fear and as darkness descends she securely locks the doors to her flat in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb where she lives with her partner.

Onziema is a well-known activist and the national programmes coordinator of Sexual Minorities Uganda, an advocacy network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations. She has appeared on television several times defending the rights of LGBTs. But it has not made her life any easier.

Just like other LGBTs in her country Onziema has been arrested; spat on; attacked; insulted and even stoned by neighbours.Read the rest at IPS RIGHTS-UGANDA: Fugitives in Their Own Country