Uganda: One Step Forward, Ninety-nine Steps Back

Recently, the President of Uganda was celebrated for choosing to back down over the proposed anti-gay law. However the jubilation was premature: he recently signed the infamous law into being. This law includes life imprisonment for some homosexual acts and prison sentences for people besides the couple who participate in same-sex marriages. Even worse: he apparently had overwhelming support from the country’s citizens who rejoice at a victory over western/unAfrican influences. True to Ugandan form, a local tabloid has come up with names of 200 gay men and women in Uganda although the paper’s online edition did not carry this story, according to CNN. . I am sad and disappointed. The hypocrisy of carrying a Bible/Qur’an yet opposing “western influences” seem to be lost on many Africans. I will admit that there is some high-handedness in the way some western aid organizations decide how aid money is spent (especially on projects that are not that big a priority) and in trade agreements that clearly do not favour the low and middle-income ones, homosexuality will never fall into that category. Rights are rights and seizing the rights of a minority when these rights do not in any way affect how the greater majority live their lives will never be the way forward. This is not even something that any African country should be told by anyone: this is something it should know. Where is the Ugandan Social Justice Department in all this? Incidentally their webpage is offline at the moment.

Enough said.

 

Homophobia in African Music – The P-Square Rant

Recently a member of the popular Nigerian duo P-Square made a homophobic post on Facebook which naturally got shared and liked a bunch of times. What pissed gay people off was that they were slated to perform in Washington DC in the USA (a city which supports gay marriage) and in a gay-friendly club no less. Also annoying is that there have been rumours (some from very credible sources) that one of them is gay. Some Nigerian LGBT activists are trying to put a stop to their tour. 

 

A Birthday He Will Never Forget

Twenty-three year-old Lunga Voko was beaten with fists, bricks, an iron rod, and had a part of his ear shot off by a group of men all because he was gay. This occurred in Cape Town, South Africa, an African country noted for being one of the only ones in which being gay is legal. This terrible attack occurred on 31st March which was Easter Sunday. Coincidentally this was also his birthday.

 

The Politricks of Homophobia – A Sermon For The Choir

I came across this article on African politics and homophobia via Identity Kenya which set out to find out why many African governments have such a strong anti-gay stance. Its major observation was that many politicians and government officials use homophobia as a tool to divert the attention of the masses away from the lack of support structures, the growing corruption and unstable economies. In other words homophobia has become a bunch of keys for distracting children(citizens) whilst their toys(money) are taken away from them.

 

Gay Bashing in Nairobi

Jackson Irungu, a gay Kenyan stylist and aspiring singer, was beaten up at a club earlier this week in Nairobi. The reason for his assault is said to be his choice of attire and possibly his sexual orientation. He is notable for coming forward as an out gay man in a CNN program documenting the struggles of gay men in Kenya.

 

Tagged: Is Being Gay Ever A Good Thing?

“In what way is being gay a Good thing?”

Being gay is HARD make no mistake about it. Is there even anything good about being gay to begin with? Not much in my opinion. Which is why it still baffles me that in 2012 some people still believe anyone would ‘choose’ to be gay. Looking back on my relatively short life however, it seems my answer lies in how being gay has affected my life positively.

 

Sometimes Mixed Feelings = Progress

There has been a bit of an interesting buzz caused by a Nigerian actor who was convicted for having “unnatural carnal relations” (in other words sex with a man) whilst both were under the influence. He pled guilty and is to serve three months in jail. I shudder to think of what life will be like for him when he gets out. However the bright spark of hope in all this is that fact that there was no unanimous homophobic celebration of the verdict. Apparently even the media weren’t crazy about it and a lot of people have publicly commented that the trial was a waste of time and resources. People’s minds are changing for the better and that is always a good thing, in my book anyway.

Read the full article here

 

Not Going Anywhere: More on Being Gay in Ghana

This is a video I saw many months back from the Accra [dot] Alt group which organises meetings, festivals and other such events geared towards ensuring comfortable spaces of expression for artists and other creative types to express themselves in Ghana. This particular meeting focused on being gay in Ghana and interestingly some of the gays in attendance weren’t shy about expressing them selves at all. This video is part of a collection entitled Ghana Talk Party Series. 

 

By now I’m sure I have answered most of your questions Mr Pink Agendist…

 

Being Gay in Ghana: Beautiful Scammers and Clandestine Relationships

What does it feel like to be gay here? Well it’s a struggle to fit in, always act “straight”, be what the society expects you to be. Most guys are married by age thirty and rumours start swirling if you pass this mark without a ring on your finger or having a significant other. By the time you hit forty…the less said the better. In the scene, you have to strike this balance between being visible enough to meet other gay people and not being too visible in which case there is a risk of people not wanting to hang out or be seen in public with you. Someone who seems to be your friend today may decide to drop you tomorrow because you’re “too out”.

 

” And You Had To Do It At A Family Reunion…”

As yet another family reunion approaches, I wonder if this is the time to tell my family about my not-so-secret other life.