The recently crowned Mr Gay World 2011, Francois Nel from South Africa has issued a message for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) just days after an Anti-Gay death bill was destined for discussion in Ugandan Parliament.

In his video message, Nel acknowlages the importance of the day, and takes a moment to remind the world of the steps forward that South Africa has taken in recent years.

He also calls for continuing work that needs to be done to ensure the eradication of anti-gay laws and homophobia in African countries like Uganda.

Check out Francois Nel’s IDAHO message below:

His message comes just days after an anti-gay death bill was set to be discussed in Ugandan Parliament. Despite world condemnation, the bill which aimed to allow the death penalty for gay people in Uganda was set to be passed. However parliament ran out of time before getting to discuss and pass the bill. It has since been shelved till the next session of Parliament and may require re-application.

This temporary delay has given opponents of the heinous legislation more time to fight for its removal. A date is yet to be set for the next Parliament session, but it is believed that the gay death bill could once again raise its ugly head later this year.

Associated Press reports that Ugandan parliamentarian Kakoba Onyango says the anti-gay bill had been delayed because of substantial international condemnation of it – and that it was not backed by President Yoweri Museveni.