Obama urged to engage African leaders on LGBT rights

In 38 African countries, homosexual activity is a criminal offense; in four, it is punishable by death. With President Barack Obama set to visit the continent this week, some activists hope he'll use his bully pulpit to speak out for LGBT rights. 

"It will be very important for him to talk about us with African leaders, and also in his speeches. It will give us strength to let us know that we are not alone," said Claver Toure, executive director of Alternative Cote d'Ivoire. Phillip Carter, the U.S. ambassador in Ivory Coast, said that the issue may need to be handled less directly, given the conservative nature of many African countries.