A few days ago we heard of the murder of David Kato, the 'grandfather' of the LGBT community in Uganda and a beloved and respected campaigner for Human Rights. Much has been written about the toxic environment created in part by fundamentalist religious voices in Uganda (which may or may not have contributed to his murder.) But I would like to reflect a bit on another aspect of Kato's life that doesn't get as much coverage, his faith.
Kato was a member of Integrity Uganda, a Christian organisation which believes in the full inclusion of diversity of gender and sexual orientation within the vision of Jesus of Nazareth. His activism was indeed a work of Christ-like love, fighting for the dignity of the 'least' in some eyes and proclaiming that the vision for humanity is one of deep interconnectedness. When one of us suffers, humanity suffers. When one of us is liberated, humanity becomes that much freer, that much closer to being fully humane, fully compassionate, fully the children of Creation, not destruction.
My heart hurts for friends in Uganda today. I have heard from a couple of them and know they are feeling a deep sense of loss. Newcastle may not be a high risk culture in the same way as Uganda, but as a gay man and person of faith I recognise something of my own journey and need for freedom in the story of David Kato. He is my brother in Christ. Although distant goegraphically, at some point in our earlier years we were both baptised under the same promise from the Church. We are “ One Body. One Spirit in Christ.” Some of us have never forgotten that promise. David Kato, thank you for reminding me once again that we are not only part of, but integral to the Truth in that promise. May the Christ-light continue to shine through your legacy.
Pressley
Kato was a member of Integrity Uganda, a Christian organisation which believes in the full inclusion of diversity of gender and sexual orientation within the vision of Jesus of Nazareth. His activism was indeed a work of Christ-like love, fighting for the dignity of the 'least' in some eyes and proclaiming that the vision for humanity is one of deep interconnectedness. When one of us suffers, humanity suffers. When one of us is liberated, humanity becomes that much freer, that much closer to being fully humane, fully compassionate, fully the children of Creation, not destruction.
My heart hurts for friends in Uganda today. I have heard from a couple of them and know they are feeling a deep sense of loss. Newcastle may not be a high risk culture in the same way as Uganda, but as a gay man and person of faith I recognise something of my own journey and need for freedom in the story of David Kato. He is my brother in Christ. Although distant goegraphically, at some point in our earlier years we were both baptised under the same promise from the Church. We are “ One Body. One Spirit in Christ.” Some of us have never forgotten that promise. David Kato, thank you for reminding me once again that we are not only part of, but integral to the Truth in that promise. May the Christ-light continue to shine through your legacy.
Pressley
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