Major U.S. Nonprofit Accused of Ties With Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws In Africa

Southern Poverty Law Center described the Slater's organization as a "hate group."

An investigation from CNN revealed a popular U.S.-based nonprofit is allegedly supporting anti-LGBTQ bills across Africa.

Activists are accusing Intel Corporation and its founders, Sharon and Greg Slater, of being “actively responsible for exporting, financing, and spreading hate, homophobia” on the African continent for decades, according to a Change.org petition. Through their nonprofit, Family Watch International, the Slaters have allegedly been promoting a slew of bills against homosexuality in Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana.

The organization has worked with several key African lawmakers in favor of anti-LGBTQ laws. While denying the allegations against her and the organization, Sharon claims to be pushing “family values” at virtual and in-person conferences across the continent. During a sex education conference held in April 2023, Slater and organization staff posed for a picture with Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, who weeks later signed strict anti-gay legislation into law.

In May 2023, the Ugandan government approved laws that issued harsh penalties outlawing homosexuality – including death and life sentences in prison. The country of Ghana also holds dangerous anti-gay legislation, including the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill” – encouraging citizens to out members of the community to the police. President Joe Biden has been a strong critic of these laws, calling them “a tragic violation of universal human rights.”

Southern Poverty Law Center described the Slater’s organization as a “hate group.”

The Kenyan nonprofit that is behind the petition, the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health, said its time for the group to be called out. “Family Watch International has sponsored trips for politicians and diplomats from Kenya, Uganda and other African countries to … train them on their extremist agenda against homosexuality, sexuality education and reproductive rights,” Jedidah Maina of the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health said.

“Many of these politicians go on to sponsor or support legislation that seeks to persecute innocent Africans.”

Sharon called the allegations “absurd” and said she had nothing to do with laws pushed in Africa.

“I have documents I can show you later that I have not been involved in any of those laws, period, it’s just absurd,” she told CNN after a conference at the United Nations headquarters. A spokesperson from Intel said the company’s focus has always been a push for diversity.

“We also understand that our employees have diverse opinions and viewpoints. We respect the rights of our employees to disagree with Intel’s policies or undertake outside activities as long as they treat their fellow employees with respect and act in accordance with Intel’s code of conduct.”