Another member of the Christianist far right Senator Tom Coburn forthrightly opposes the Uganda bill:

“Over the past two decades, political, religious, and community leaders in Uganda have united to promote a rare, winning strategy against HIV that addresses the unique and common risks of every segment of society. Sadly, some who oppose Uganda’s common sense ABC strategy are using an absurd proposal to execute gays to undermine this coalition and winning strategy. Officials in Uganda should come to their senses and take whatever steps are necessary to withdraw this proposal that will do nothing but harm a winning strategy that is saving lives.”

I just want to say that I will continue to oppose Tom Coburn in many areas on the question of homosexual equality (although I think we'd agree on a huge amount where it comes to government spending and borrowing). But this statement is one I and many others are deeply grateful for - and it could help save gay lives in Africa.

If the American religious right can turn back this almost genocidal law against gays in Uganda, then perhaps it could be the start of a more civil - and Christian - dialogue between them and the gay community in America. We need to spend more time discussing where we agree rather than where we disagree.

It's been an encouraging couple of months, from the LDS church defending non-discrimination for gays in Utah, and now with Warren and Coburn being so unequivocal on this.

Know hope.