Homosexuality is considered taboo in some places, but in Uganda it used to be punishable by life in prison or even death.

The Rev. Mark Kiyimba led outspoken and fearless opposition to proposed anti-homosexuality legislation in the East African county.

While judges on Friday struck down the legislation on a technicality, activists say homosexuality remains a criminal offense under colonial-era laws.

So, in essence, Kiyimba’s fight is far from over.

The human rights activist and minister and founder of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Uganda, has spent most of his adult life fighting for the rights of homosexuals and against discrimination of people affected by HIV/AIDS in his country.

Kiyimba, now an exile in Uganda, is coming to Pensacola to share his message of hope and tell stories of his struggle for human rights for those facing intolerance and discrimination in his native land.

A reception to welcome and honor Kiyimba will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Polonza Bistro, 286 N. Palafox. It is sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Red Ribbon Foundation.

Keyontay Humphries, regional organizer for the ACLU of Northwest Florida, said it is important for the ACLU to acknowledge and for Pensacola to hear about Kiyimba’s contributions to civil rights and non-discriminatory practices in Uganda and its relationship to American policy.

For too long Ugandan officials criminalized HIV by connecting the disease to homosexuality, thereby disavowing treatment to children affected with the disease, Humphries said.

“His heart is for children and his ministry is for children,” Humphries said. “My excitement is because he is such a strong advocate for kids.”

In a recent blog post, Kiyimba lamented the sad reality that in the past five years high-profile Western leaders and celebrity pastors supported by American Christian organizations have visited homophobic churches in Uganda that promote intolerance and punishment against gays.

“What we need is for influential high profile religious leaders who are tolerant and anti-hatred, to show solidarity with the more progressive churches of Uganda,” Kiyimba said. “We need to organize large religious conferences that teach a gospel of love and dignity for all.”

Kiyimba knows firsthand about the power of and pressure from people who are intolerant and oppose homosexuality in Uganda.

Police often questioned and accused him of using his church and school to recruit homosexuals, he said.

While the government and many religious groups in Uganda spread a message of hate, Kiyimba promotes and preaches love.

He runs a primary school for more than 650 students, many of whom have been affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as a children’s home for AIDS orphans near Masaka, Uganda.

Kiyimba’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. He received the National Education Association’s Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights in Washington, D.C. last month.

 The award is presented to a person whose activities in human rights significantly impact those facing discrimination due to their sexual orientation.

As a human rights activist and the recipient of numerous national and international awards, Kiyimba is an extraordinary man and minister who has made a significant impact on education and achievement of equal opportunity for people discrimination in Uganda.

 “If faith leaders change their tone and begin speaking out against hate and violence, then we can turn the tide of faith-based intolerance in Uganda,” he said. “We can tell those who promote hate and violence in the name of God, that they no longer speak in the name of all communities of faith.”

[progresspromise]