Center Blog

David Kato was beaten to death in Kampala, Uganda on January 26th. The school teacher and human rights defender had been targeted for years as an out gay man in a notoriously homophobic country.  His brutal death has sparked worldwide condemnation and commemorations.  In New York, the Center joined a coalition of groups convened by the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission in a vigil at the United Nations and as signatory to a letter delivered to Uganda’s ambassador to the U.N. on February 3rd. 

Whenever tragedies like this occur  I am reminded of how important the Center is to all of us who find a haven here.   And in the midst of shock and heartache, I ask that we recommit ourselves to the notion of a safe home for all of our people.  Valiant individuals and organizations – among them the Center – toil to make the world a better place.  And we hone our principles and reinvigorate ourselves in our home. 

In honor of David Kato who had no safe home – no Center – in Kampala, I offer anew the following thought: 

Within these walls, we expect to be treated with consideration and kindness.  We expect our persons, our property, and our opinions to be respected.  We expect to be free from violence and the threat of violence.  We expect our disagreements to be resolved with sensitivity and good will. 

In return, we are expected to be considerate and kind.  To respect the persons, property, and opinions of others.  To behave nonviolently.  To display sensitivity and good will in resolving disagreements.

Within these walls, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct and social interaction.  We strive to make of this place a haven free of the ills and abuses we find outside it.