The City of West Hollywood will co-sponsor the screening of the acclaimed and award winning documentary “Call Me Kuchu” hosted by AIDS Project Los Angeles on October 29, 2013 at Council Chambers.

“Call Me Kuchu” follows David Kato, Uganda’s first openly gay man, and retired Bishop Christopher Senyojo, as they work to defeat the homophobia from the bill created by Ugandan Parliament member, David Bahati, that was designed to criminalize acts of “aggravated homosexuality” and place the death penalty on those convicted. The documentary also captured them fighting persecution in their own personal lives. The film tracks their work against the Ugandan media which pushes destructive homophobic propaganda and their outreach into the community which includes establishing counseling centers and safe houses. During the filming of “Call Me Kuchu,” David Kato was brutally murdered in his home, giving the documentary a perspective into the horror and tragedy while underscoring the importance of its message.

The screening of the documentary will be presented by The Global Forum on Men who have Sex with Men and HIV (MSMGF), a global program supported by AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA). APLA has a long history of organizing and advocating for the LGBT community within Los Angeles and West Hollywood, especially assisting those living with HIV. APLA has partnered with the City of West Hollywood in the past to screen documentaries on these critical issues such as “How to Survive a Plague,” a film about the early AIDS epidemic in America.

The City of West Hollywood has a history of advocacy on behalf of LGBT citizens in Uganda since the bill was introduced several years ago. David Kato was honored at a Council Meeting on February 7, 2011, in response to his tragic passing. On December 17, 2012, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 12-4385 “Condemnation of the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill” which highlighted the City’s dedication to continued advocacy against the actions of the Ugandan government, and the hate crimes it is endorsing with the ongoing consideration of this legislation. The City has also passed resolutions criticizing the Malawi government for their persecution of the LGBT community and the Nigerian government for criminalizing same-sex partnerships.

Admission and parking is free. For more information, please contact Fran Solomon, Deputy to Councilmember John Heilman, at (323) 848-6429.