Hate legislation being pushed through Ugandan parliament

>> on the high supreme court . the supreme court took no action on any of the ten cases that dealt with same sex marriage. several cases deal with the defense against marriage act . the court could still opt to take on any of those cases and perhaps come back with a consideration by this friday.

>>> the ongoing legal fight for marriage equality and other lgbt rights is a stark reminder how other parts of the world is not evolved. in uganda , hate legislation is being pushed by the country's parliament a bill that criminalizes being lgbt punish able by death. that means approximatelydeath. 500,000 people could be imprisoned or sentenced to death. activists are all over the globe coming out against this so-called kill the gay's bill. frank is not only an acty sfris uganda but a man who's life is threatened by this legislation. joining him is fellow civil rights carrie kennedy. the center awarded frank for his efforts in uganda . good to have you here. you've been fighting this bill for years. david cato who is a friend of yours, recently killed in uganda for his work against fighting this bill. you've taken over his work. but are you basically handing yourself a death sentence by being on a program like this putting yourself in a line of fire?

>> yes. i've been fighting this legislation for a long time now and if this legislation is passed into law, i will definitely be put life in prison or life -- or sentenced to death. and right knew, i'm here in new york with the human rights and have been providing a lot of support in trying to stop this legislation. the speaker says she wants to pass it as a christmas gift for ugandans.

>> it is the pipeline, moved through a certain lower form of government there working up for a vote within parliament. carrie , why does the rfk center want to highlight a sister like frank and what is taking place in uganda ? in america we're celebrating what we saw in the election with four ballot measures winning by popular vote when it comes to marriage equality and think about what's taking place in uganda , it's a huge die cotty.

>> that's right. uganda is one of the worst places on earth for gay, lesbian, transgender rights . but being gay is illegal in more countries than it is not legal. so -- than it is legal. so it's a worldwide problem and frank is really a great hero on this as you've just heard. his life is in danger every single day, and yet he continues to take on this important human rights work.

>> frank , as we know, secretary of state hillary clinton recently gave a speech during her tenure saying that gay rights are human rights . when you hear someone as powerful as secretary of state hillary clinton making a statement like that, is that what helps embolden you with your work for the people in uganda ?

>> thank you. also the awards for such high profile and the words from the secretary give me inspiration. it brings legit human rights as well.

>> where it stands with this trying to move as being approved befores christmas as a christmas gift to the ugandan people, what is the likelihood that will help?

>> this legislation could go on the floor of parliament any day, if it steps on the floor it's to ps pass very high, because a big percentage of parliament do support this legislation. those that don't support it are likely not to vote because it's a popular issue in uganda .

>> carrie , one thing the rfk centers has are the awards. frank has been an award recipient in the past. whose work are you trying to highlight now and bring forward into the spotlight?

>> this here we gave the rfk award to labrada paez who is a farm worker in upstate new york . farm workers in new york don't have a right to a day off per week, don't have the right to overtime pay, to form a union. tare' terribly abused. tonight we're giving the rfk ripple of hope award to vincent may, a great human rights activist and taylor swift . it's going to be a great evening. you're going to be joining us.

>> yes.

>> and we're also so grateful to you because we have our rfk on-line auction that people can go and if you care about issues like frank 's, you can come on to the auction and support his work and support all of our work. and come on this show and meet you and go on " morning joe " and go -- if you watch the other channel, you can meet bill o'reilly.

>> the other channel.

>> another one of those channels.

>> another one of those channels. there are great items that people have donated to the auction site. carrie and frank , thanks so much. we'll show you, we have been able to put up an item to come to the set to visit us. they can