By Chris Jordan | HIGHLAND PARK — The Rev. Mark Kiyimba, the founding minister of the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Kampala, Uganda, is set to speak at the Pride Center of New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Kiyimba has received international attention for support of gay rights in Uganda.

Homophobia is so severe in Uganda that there is a bill before Parliament that would execute gay people, according to the New York Times.

“He’s speaking to raise awareness,” said David Rogoff, president of the Pride Center. “Unless the world turns its eyes and attention to Uganda, it’s going to get worse. We have an entire population living in terror for their lives simply because of their sexual orientation.”

Kiyimba founded the church in 2004, and it’s the only house of worship in Uganda that openly welcomes and includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, according to the Pride Center. The church includes a school for children who have lost parents to AIDS and an orphanage for two-dozen children living with HIV.

Fearing for his safety, Kiyimba fled Uganda in March.

“Ugandans need to know the world is watching,” Rogoff said. “That’s his goal, to turn the eyes of the world toward Uganda.”

A $3 donation is suggested. The Pride Center is at 85 Raritan Ave., Suite 100, Highland Park. Visit www.pridecenter.org for more information.

Chris Jordan: 732-565-7275; cjordan@njpressmedia.com

Article Source: My Central Jersey

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