More than 30 African countries, including Uganda, already ban same-sex relationships, the new law, which passed on Tuesday, seems to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ).
Supporters of the legislation argue that it is needed to create harsher punishments for LGBTQ activities, which they say threaten traditional values in the conservative and religious East African nation.
Penalties for violating the law also include death for what is being referred to as “aggravated” homosexuality and life in prison for gay sex. "Aggravated homosexuality" is described as gay sex with people under 18 years old or when a person is HIV positive, among other categories, according to the law.