“Don’t Mess With Texas!” was originally an anti-littering campaign by the Texas Department of Transportation. Not only did it work to greatly reduce litter, it became an iconic trademark for the State and its people. But that didn’t stop the President of Ugandan, longtime leader Yoweri Museveni, from giving Texas a slap in the face.
During the past week, the dallasvoice.com has been reporting the attendance of Museveni in the Dallas area, his multiple denials for hotel bookings, and his apparent disdain for returning to the Lone Star State any time soon. You can find numerous posts by dallasvoice.com on the topic here.
What’s the reason for all the uproar? The Ugandan parliament passed a bill in late 2013 — the “Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act” — which Museveni signed in February, 2014. It originally called for the death penalty to homosexuals, but was later revised to life in prison, and it included other anti-homosexual elements such as penalties for personal or corporate support of LGBT rights. However, the law has since been ruled invalid by the nation’s Constitutional Court in August, 2014.
The recent timeline in Dallas went something like this:
September 17 – LGBT community organized protests around his appearances originally scheduled at the Four Seasons Hotel in Irving and the Irving Convention Center.
September 18 – Four Seasons canceled Museveni’s accommodations with it. Museveni looks to Marriott’s Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX for rebooking. – Gaylord Resort confirmed they will not be hosting Museveni. (Note: Marriott International Inc. has a perfect 100 Human Rights Campaign “Corporate Equality Index” rating.) – Irving Convention Center cancels hosted event, citing incomplete paperwork.
September 20 – Museveni event moved to a private venue in Allen, TX. No word if he ever found a place to stay.
September 22 – Museveni reportedly snubs Texas: “I said, tell those people who invited me to find me where to sleep (sic). Am (sic) not dying to come to Texas,” said Museveni, according to a news report.
OVERTIME: Read my post from earlier this year on an inverse problem, but sounding in similar LGBT rights awareness. In this instance, it was the hotel’s owner who was the targeted political leader: Brunei’s Death By Stoning Over Homosexual Acts; Draws Boycotts of The Beverly Hills Hotel
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