Perhaps the most “sentimental” issue increasingly gaining prominence on our continent is the legal and social status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. It is an issue which inflames religious passion, ignite moral questions and rise suspicions. I write this article not to give a moral argument or judgement but present to you in a dispassionate and objective terms possible, how this movement is gaining roots on our continent despite the adversity. I believe as the debate rage on, it is only reasonable and democratic, if people become aware of such information in order to draw their own conclusions and enrich the discourse.
Most African leaders in the past decades have made homophobic statements claiming gay practice is “un-African” and even in some case, used it as a means to raise anti-western sentiments - however, well researched and deconstructed studies including the work of anthropologist Evans-Pritchard show homosexuality has been in Africa for eon. Former president of Namibia, Sam Nujoma said: “Homosexuals must be condemned and rejected. Homosexuality is a behavioural disorder that is alien to African culture.” “It is against African traditions and biblical teachings; I will not shy from warning Kenyans against this scourge,” says Daniel Arap Moi, former president of Kenya. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe even goes to the extreme and thinks gays and lesbians are “worse than dogs and pigs.”
In many societies in Africa, sexuality in general, is not talked about, much less homosexuality which is considered a “foreign disease.” However, over the last few years, the debate is gradually shifting from the old arguments that homosexuality is a “taboo.” The usual hate speech is giving way to silence over the matter among African leaders. Increasing numbers of Africans are living open gay lifestyles and some are proud to call themselves “advocates.” Why is this happening? Is Africa going through the same process other Western countries have been through? That is, increasing the visibility of gay people, creating more awareness and eventually accepting it.
How come the gay movement in Africa is being mainstreamed as a legitimate stakeholder in the civil society? A critical study shows that, the movement has a colossal push with a “slow but sure” strategy, it involves the support of Western donors, building good media representation , forging alliance with civil society groups and drawing influential political leaders, journalists, human right advocates and religious leaders to their cause.
UGANDA
Uganda is a good example to illustrate the movement’s strategy and growing political clout in Africa. Homosexuality is illegal under Ugandan law and in 2009, parliament intended to make the law more stiff through the Anti- Homosexuality bill, which proposed death penalty for sodomy. International uproar and treat from some European countries to cut aid to Uganda made the government shelf the bill despite the enormous support from citizens. President Obama described the bill as “Odious.” In 2010, MP David Bahati, who authored the bill was given a single event visa to the USA unlike his colleagues who were attending the same event. When he arrived in the USA, he was barred from the conference due to a protest. President Yoweri Musevani, an avid supporter of the bill subsequently distances himself from the it to safeguard US aid to Uganda after treat from some US senators - In 2010 fiscal year, USA gave Uganda $526 millions). Is this a palpable signal to other politicians in African to reconsider their stance on gay rights?
Recently, the murder of David Kato, a gay man in Uganda has deepen the debate across the country, the police report indicates that the murder of Kato was the result of armed robbery, however gay activists have attributed his death to homophobic attack and are using it as a stand point to promote gay rights in Africa. The funeral was well attended by diplomats from Germany, United States, Netherlands, among others. CNN and other global media agencies all descended at his burial ground in Namataba, an obscure village in Mukono District. President Obama in his statement read aloud to the stupefaction of local folks at the funeral, stated that, “The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work.” - David’s “work”, was to advocate for gay rights in Uganda. Hillary Clinton has literally sent a demand to the Ugandan authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute the perpetrators.
GHANA
In Ghana, the gay agenda is a simmering issue within the legal circles. Under the Criminal Code, same-sex sexual activity is illegal. However, prominent and vociferous legal experts and human rights activists such as Nana Oye Lithur and Prof. Ken Attafuah, think the law must change. In December, 2010, when Bernice Sam, National Programme Coordinator of Women in Law and Development (WILDAF) called on the Constitution Review Commission to limit the definition of marriage to heterosexual couples, several international organisations pressurised her and WILDAF to renounce their position in support for LGBT rights, specifically gay marriages in Ghana. WILDAF sponsors include European Commission, Netherlands and France. I guess, if WILDAF refuses to yield to the pressure, they should expect a divorce from their sponsors.
The gay movement is also making progress and wielding a degree of influence on the Ghanaian media. Some “progressive” TV and radio stations have a subtle way of supporting the movement. Joy Fm won a BBC award for an interview with Prince MacDonald, a gay rights advocate. Chorkor trotro, a comedy TV drama on TV3 has shown an episode with gay characters, which seemly attempts to make viewers understand and accept the gay people in Ghana. Popular reggae musician and Hitz FM DJ, Blakk Rasta, who described homosexuality as mental and genetic disorder has been called upon by Amnesty International to renounce his comments. He alleges that his personal website has been malfunctioning since his comments and attributes it to those against his opinion. What else can the gay movement do if Blakk Rasta remains adamant? Maybe, Blakk rasta could take notes from Buju Banton, on how an international reggae musician can suffer at the hands of pro-gay pressure.
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE
Homosexuality is illegal in 36 African countries, however almost all have signed up to international and regional instruments including the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol that defend the rights of sexual minorities.
We are in the 21st Century and the world is beckoning Africa to accept sexual minorities. Hilary Clinton’s major concern for Africa is how LGBT persons are treated on the continent. She said: “Our regional bureaus are working closely with our embassies on the issue. The Bureau of Africa Affairs has taken the lead by asking every embassy in Africa to report on the conditions of local LGBT communities. And I’m asking every regional bureau to make this issue a priority.” Thus for the Obama administration a “priority” for Africa is LGBT rights. I wonder how many Africans will take this kindly.
Conversely, some American evangelicals support Africans against the gay movement. They give training through rallies and workshops. It is alleged that the Anti-Homosexuality bill in Uganda was drafted after one of these workshops in Uganda.
CONCLUSION
With all these covert and overt influences through international conventions, international media, local progressive media, donor aid and political figures, Africa seem to be fighting a lost battle. Western pressure is bludgeoning Africa to conform to their view on sexual morality and the core reason is aid - is the power of aid and the curse of poverty so strong to buy the conviction of Africans?
For most Africans a moral question hunts them: “Is it right to be talking about sexuality when there are more “serious” human rights abuses?” People complain as you read or listen to the media: “This gay hullabaloo does nothing but divert our attention from issues of poverty, war, diseases and the new success stories of our thriving economies to an agenda set and impose by donors.” Sunday Newspaper in Zimbabwe editor wrote: “If the United Nations were as united as they are against the trampling of human rights in Africa, as they have been united against the trampling of gay rights, Africa would have very few political prisoners.”
At the funeral of Kato, many people were flabbergasted and puzzled; why important dignitary from all over the world including their own son, Obama, will be so much interested in the death of a “fugitive?” If all these important diplomats are so much interested in the rights of an individual, why don’t they give the same enormous support to the millions of people who suffer from the indignity of poverty cause by unfair prices for their raw materials on the international market?
I came across a post on facebook and perhaps that could summarise a “typical” African perspective: “We rather please God not donors. Its better we suffer from poverty than get money from the Western world which pushes us into evil.” But is Africa ready for this? May be, Archbishop Peter Akinola from Nigeria has set an example, by refusing grants from American Episcopal Church in opposition to the installation of Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Archbishop in the Anglican Communion. But can any Africa president dare follow suit?
Agyemang Badu
Dignity and Entrepreneurship Institute
thedeighana@gmail.com
Dignity and Entrepreneurship Institute promote Human Dignity and Entrepreneurship in African’s Development.
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