The 1,000-circulation Rolling Stone has followed up its hit list of 100 gays to “hang” with a second primer, this time listing an additional 10 names that need to be reported to the police. The list includes the home addresses of each of the people as well as “alleged intimate details about the anatomy of people on it,” pulled directly from their online dating profiles. But remember, editor Giles Muhame doesn’t want you to actually go out there and hunt these people down; that would be taking things too far. And while the weekly newspaper’s actions are deplorable, and arguably incite violence, let’s not let the neighbors of these individuals off the hook either: They’re the ones pelting the suspected gays and rallying outside their homes, turning them into prisoners.
UPDATE: A judge has ordered Rolling Stone to immediately halt printing the names, photographs, and other details of suspected gays.
the crustybastard
The article claims that it’s publishing the hit list to “help [gays] live responsible lives.” So here, my friends, you can witness the logical extension of “loving the sinner and hating the sin.”
Do try to remember this next time you hear some religious nut claiming that religion is the source of all human decency and justice. That claim really cannot be further from the truth.
FWIW, according to The Guardian, a judge has enjoined the paper from printing any more gay hit lists (which I’m certain will provoke religious nuts into demonstrations of their great antipathy for the rule of law; “damned activist judges,” “what about my god-given rights to persecute?,” &c.)
scott ny'er
Not only is this crazy. But, how can they prove that these peeps are gay. Just because they on a dating site. I want that editor’s name on a wanted list and people to start throwing stuff at him and harassing him.
samthor
I can’t believe they get away with the name “Rolling Stone”….
robert
Remember this is Ugandan Rolling Stone – not the version sold in the USA. Queerty really should make this clear.
mark
How can we help folks get asylum for them and their families is the question.
B
No. 3 · samthor wrote, “I can’t believe they get away with the name ‘Rolling Stone’….” …. what’s hard to believe about it? Trademark protection is on a country-by-country basis, although there is a way of getting protection in a number of countries at once by using a mechanism that allows you to register in all of those countries simultaneously (but Uganda is not on the list, not bothering to agree to the convention presumably due to having next to zero in the way of industries with trademarks to protect).
Patrick
I have a gay friend from Uganda here for college and he never plans on coming out, not that I can blame him. I wouldn’t go back home if it was me. It’s sad that this can go on in the 21st century. I wish there was something our country could do to help but as we aren’t given equal rights here I doubt we will help fight for them overseas. No to mention the fact that homosexuality is illegal in most sub-saharian african countries. It’s not something that can be left alone everywhere but Uganda.
I would argue with NO.1 in that claiming that religion is the farthest thing away from human decency and justice. I am in no way religious and would consider myself an atheist but religion is meant to instill a set of values to promote exactly these things. Do i agree with everything in the bible or everything in others religions? Absolutely not, however, I feel they all have their own merits. Just as fiction can teach us life lessons so can this. There are a lot things in the bible I don’t agree with and feel its ashame that it can be used as a source of hate but removing the idea of God or whatever people believe in won’t remove homophobia. All racism wasn’t created by religion. I also think it would be a good idea to lay down so to speak and ignore the religious fanatics. Inciting them to retaliate (not that im claiming No.1 did this) just fuels the fire and causes greater division.
Evan
That cover reads like absurdist satire. So sad that it’s real. I’m glad that there’s a judge willing to put a stop to at least this most obvious part of the atrocities, but…there needs to be cultural change on an enormous scale before gays can feel safe in most of Africa (and the Middle East).
It doesn’t help that American fundamentalist crazies are encouraging this stuff in their activities in Uganda and elsewhere. But then, there was more than enough pre-existing homophobic sentiment.
A. Non
@samthor: The US “Rolling Stone” is in the process of getting them to change their name, or at least trying to…as B said, trademark law is country-based, but if the actions of a “Rolling Stone” in Uganda is negatively affecting a “Rolling Stone” in the USA they have a cross-country damages case and would have to appeal to Ugandan lawyers.
JK
This paper should be ashamed of itself. These people ought to find better things to do in life..climb trees and go fishing if need be, just leave these poor souls alone.
reparaciones madrid
I have been meaning to post something like this on my website and this has given me an idea. Thank you.
stefan
@mark: That would be great but the U.S.A is terrible about granting asylum to gays.