Uganda Officials: We Welcome LGBT Tourists

Uganda's tourism officials said they welcome LGBT travelers to the African country and that they should feel safe, even though lawmakers have pushed to pass a controversial anti-gay measure, Gay Star News reports.

The Ugandan Tourism Board recently met with the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association in order to discuss Uganda's reputation regarding LGBT and straight tourists.

The president and CEO of the LGBT organization, John Tanzella, told the website SoSoGay that the board felt that Western media negatively portrayed Uganda over the attempt to pass a bill that would criminalize gay sex with a life sentence in December.

Though many lawmakers backed the bill, it was struck down last month.

"The delegation said that gay people are welcome. They were very concerned about the perception of Uganda in Western Europe and North America, and claimed that the backlash caught them by surprise," Tanzella told the website. "No one thought it would pass. The delegates all pointed out that they have friends and family who are gay."

He added that Uganda was far from joining IGLTA as it needs to go through a "process of education."

Back in March, members of the Ugandan Tourism Board released a statement regarding the anti-gay measure, Gay Star News points out.

"The controversy currently surrounding the Anti Homosexuality Act 2014 is exaggerated," the statement reads. "No gay person will be killed in Uganda. The law was based on the majority support for it in the Parliament of Uganda and the majority ordinary Ugandans whose cultural and religious beliefs are not agreeable to some habits such as homosexuality. However, Uganda is a very hospitable, friendly, warm and loving country of diverse culture, religion and beliefs which welcomes all visitors of all backgrounds regardless of their sexual orientation, beliefs and skin color."

Tourism in Uganda earned the country $1.88 billion USD in the financial year of 2012 - 2013.