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Rev. Troy Perry Decries
Namibia's Expulsion of Gays, Lesbians

Says He's 'Deeply Troubled by this Act of Homophobia & Fear'

Concern for World's Citizens in UFMCC's Planetary Fellowship

Compiled By GayToday

The Rev. Troy Perry

West Hollywood, California �Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder and Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC) responded with concern to news that Namibian President Sam Nujoma has ordered police to arrest and deport all homosexuals despite the country's liberal constitution.

UFMCC, regularly�since 1968-- on the frontlines of international human rights issues and gay rights advocacy, has approximately 48,000 members in over 15 countries, including parts of Africa.

Rev. Perry stated:

"We are deeply troubled by this act of homophobia and fear. This is a repressive act that violates the rights of Namibian citizens."

Early last week, President Nujoma went before University of Namibia students to declare homosexuality is not allowed in Namibia and to inform Namibians that police have been ordered to arrest, deport and imprison gays and lesbians.

The Namibian Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has called Nujoma's homophobic attack dangerous and labeled his decree as "violent words from a popular leader (that) may lead to violence against innocent citizens." The NSHR said targeting people because of their sexual orientation was as bad as racial discrimination, and Nujoma could not decree a clampdown on homosexuals in contravention of the (Namibian) constitution.

Rev. Judy Dahl, Director of Global Outreach at UFMCC stated:

"In 1976 Bishop Desmond Tutu, (then the Anglican Dean of Johannesburg) wrote to The Honorary Prime Minister of South Africa, on behalf of his people in South Africa: 'I am writing to you, Sir, because I have a growing nightmarish fear that unless something drastic is done very soon then bloodshed and violence are going to happen in South Africa...A people can only take so much and no more.' "

Rev. Dahl continued:

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"I think these words of Bishop Tutu speak well from the GLBT communities around the globe, to the 'nightmarish' politics going on in Namibia today. Justice will prevail, just like it did in South Africa. We pray no violence will occur.

"Until the peace and comfort of home belongs to EVERY Namibian, let us pray the words Bishop Tutu prayed for many years at the Cape Town Cathedral:

'God bless Africa. Guard her children. Guide her rulers. Give her peace, for Jesus Christ's sake.' "