Even as delegates gather in Washington, D.C. for the XIX International Aids conference, Political Research Associates released its latest report, Colonizing African Values: How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa, documenting the U.S. Christian Right\u2019s attempts to push an ideology hostile to reproductive and LGBT rights on sub-Saharan African countries.<\/p>\n
In one notorious example in Tanzania in 2008, billboards depicted a \u201cFaithful Condom User\u201d as a skeleton -\u2013 a blatant attempt to discourage condom use as an effective HIV prevention method. Blazoned in clear letters underneath was the billboard\u2019s sponsor: Human Life International (HLI), a group based in the United States.<\/p>\n
This timely report, written by religion and sexuality researcher Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma, explores how HLI\u2013and other U.S. based Christian Right actors\u2014try to position themselves as key moral leaders shaping African political, public health, and social agendas. <\/p>\n
A Roman Catholic organization, Human Life International (HLI) is staunchly opposed to contraception, abortion (with zero exceptions), stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, sex education, and homosexuality. HLI\u2019s director of research and training Brian Clowes, one of the organization\u2019s longest-serving staffers, is responsible for much of the overseas work and is known for explicating doctrinal points, such as the opposition to even \u201chard case\u201d abortions.<\/p>\n