LGBTs in Africa & Breaking of taboos

29/11/2006

The passing of the “Same-Sex Marriage Bill” (SSMB) in South Africa this month has thrown open the debate around LGBT issues in Africa wide open.

The Kenyan Times published an article in support of the South African Bill and states that it does not believe that homsexuality is “unAfrican” which in itself is quite a leap forward as that is one of the principle arguments used by African homophobes.

It is true that by legalising same sex marriage, it would appear that South Africa is joining the “enlightened club” of the few who have dealt with “homophobia culture” against gay people, and that the legalising act seemingly is not supported by the majority of the citizens of the Republic of South Africa. No does the act reflect the African-ness of the African peoples and their cultures. It is also true that leaders like President Robert Mugabe and ex-president Moi etc., abhor homosexuals and equate them with hell on earth.

I am not sure that homosexuality has a European lineage otherwise the holy book would not have mentioned and discussed about it. I think it is very true and probably so that homosexuality is practised (but not spoken openly about) in Africa by African peoples. I stand to be corrected to the contrary with empirical evidence.

In Mozambique the media are apparently supporting the idea of an improved human rights for sexual minorities in the country and the government has “promised to look into the situation”. Further north in Burkina Faso the homosexuality is being publically discussed for the first time in the media and the debate continues in the Cameroon.

Unfortunately Nigeria and Uganda remain intransigent in their views..

In Nigeria, the news of ultra-conservative Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola strongly condemning the marriage law dominated the news. In Uganda, the South African law even caused protests by civil society organisations and churches this week. Churches in Kenya and Tanzania followed suit.

Links: Caged but not silenced in Uganda; Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act - Nigeria

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There are 6 comments in this article:

  1. 29/11/2006houstonmacbro say:

    It would be interesting if Africa (the continent and nations and people) could lead the way on human rights for a change.

    Let’s hope and pray.

  2. 29/11/2006Global Voices Online » Blog Archive » Africa: LGBTs issues in Africa say:

    [...] Black Looks writes about current development in LGBTs issues in Africa, “The Kenyan Times published an article in support of the South African Bill and states that it does not believe that homsexuality is “unAfrican” which in itself is quite a leap forward as that is one of the principle arguments used by African homophobes.” Ndesanjo Macha [...]

  3. 29/11/2006Sokari say:

    Some more responses to the passing of the Bill - first a postive from SA in the The Business Day and from Uganda - New Vision very negative to the point that the paper is considering petitioning Mbeki and if they get no positive response “we shall organise a cultural and economic embargo against south africa.”

  4. 29/11/2006anengiyefa say:

    Sokari, I think the New Vision newspaper was only reporting the recent protests in Kampala against the same-sex union law in South Africa. Your post makes it seem as if the paper itself was considering “organising” an embargo against South Africa. I thought the report was quite clear in identifying who are the main Ugandan antagonists of that blessed piece of legislation.

  5. 29/11/2006Sokari say:

    Anengiyefa@ yes you are correct - I didint make it clear that it was the Pastor Martin Sempa and the Peoples Development Party leader who said they would organise an embargo if they did not receive a postive reponse from Mbeki and not the news paper itself. Thanks for pointing this out.

  6. 29/11/2006Renegade Eye say:

    Actually brave editorial from the Kenyan newspaper.

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