U.S. Activist Allegedly Received $300K from Russia to Support Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws in Africa

U.S. Activist Allegedly Received $300K from Russia to Support Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws in Africa

Russian Funding Reportedly Behind Anti-LGBTQ+ Campaign in Uganda

An investigation by the Wall Street Journal has uncovered that a U.S. anti-LGBTQ+ activist, Sharon Slater, allegedly accepted $300,000 from Russian sources to support anti-gay legislation in Africa. The funds reportedly contributed to organizing a conference in Uganda that promoted the “Kill the Gays” laws, part of a broader push to introduce similar laws across the continent.

Russia’s Financial Backing of Uganda Conference

Slater, a Mormon activist leading Arizona-based Family Watch International, is accused of using Russian financial backing for a March 2023 conference in Uganda, aimed at advancing anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The event took place shortly before the passing of Uganda’s controversial Anti-Homosexuality Law, which includes the death penalty for repeat offenders. Emails and messages reviewed by the Wall Street Journal suggest that Russia transferred $300,000 to fund the conference, with Slater being included in email communications regarding the financial transfer.

Slater Denies Involvement with Russia

Despite the apparent evidence, Slater denied any connection to Russian financial support for her activities in Africa. In statements to the Wall Street Journal, she asserted that neither she nor her organization had any involvement with the Russian government in relation to African matters. She also claimed that Family Watch International does not support anti-LGBTQ legislation, distancing herself from the harsh treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in African legal systems.

International Push to Outlaw Homosexuality

The Uganda conference, attended by representatives from around 20 African nations, resulted in agreements to pursue anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including outlawing homosexuality and enforcing binary definitions of gender. This gathering coincided with Russian diplomatic efforts, including a meeting between Russia’s ambassador and Uganda’s Parliament speaker Anita Among, who urged legislators to pass the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Law, which was later celebrated by the parliament.

Influence Spreading Across Africa

Slater’s influence extends beyond Uganda, with similar anti-LGBTQ+ laws being proposed or enacted in countries such as Kenya and Ghana. These laws are modeled after both Uganda’s legislation and Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” laws, with Slater playing a significant role in drafting the Ugandan bill.

Decades-Long Campaign Against LGBTQ+ Rights

For years, Slater and Family Watch have campaigned across Africa, pushing against what they view as “decadent” Western values, with support from African and Russian religious allies. She has repeatedly criticized Western countries and the United Nations for allegedly promoting LGBTQ+ rights and ideologies in African legislation and policies.

Following the Russia-backed conference, Slater was quoted in comments broadcast on Ugandan television, telling Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni, “I cannot tell you the power that I think will reverberate across Africa, that will affect the whole world, from this conference.”

Source : https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/09/a-u-s-activist-allegedly-accepted-300k-from-russia-to-push-anti-gay-laws-in-africa/