Among the most discussed issues in the world today such as Syria, Terrorism, Israel-Palestine conflict spying etc., we also find homosexuality gaining prominence and catching the world’s attention. Let’s take a little bite from history. One of the earliest manifestations of homosexuality in recorded history can be found in the bible where it was allegedly practiced in the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This act biblically formed one of the numerous reasons why God destroyed the cities with fire. The veracity of that claim is still a source of debate in many quarters, but it has been the basis of many religious injunctions to outlaw homosexuality especially in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. On another hand, fillers also have it that gay practice had a field day in ancient Roman and Greek cities where the governments were quite liberal about matters of social life. The question I would like the current generation to answer is; how did societies that practiced homosexuality fare better or worse than those which did not? Or, what results were generated from the conservativeness of those who did not permit certain things in their own cultures. Obviously, the Greeks and Romans who would be tagged as perverted were among the earliest conquerors and bearers of culture. It is a miracle why and how God did not destroy them.
In modern times, homosexuality began to raise its head publicly most especially in Western Europe and the United States of America where it was initially and for a long time met with hostility. Nazi Germany was particularly notorious for having gay men being victims of the holocaust in their thousands. Apart from handing death and near-death punishments to active homosexuals, their advocates were not often spared the same fate.
As time went by and with persistent pressure, the inhumane persecutions receded but the discrimination continued. In the U.S.A for instance, gay men and lesbians were not allowed to serve in the armed forces, work discrimination was on the high and homosexuals were forced to keep matters of their sexuality as secretly as possible. But in recent years, the tables have turned and homosexuals have been properly integrated into western societies.
Here in Africa, the game takes a different twist. Many Africans believe that homosexuality is an alien culture to the continent, therefore, it should not be accepted. From another view, a lot of Africans still hold on to religious maxims. Hence the enacting of anti-gay laws.
If conservative cultures and religions are the way forward for the development of a society, those have certainly not worked for Africa taking into consideration the fact that we are highly cultural and religious, yet, the poorest continent in the world. Since the colonial era, Africa has become a melting pot of several cultures. Many indigenous African cultures have been relegated to the background due to interactions with other cultures. Our languages are fast fading away, our religions are becoming crimes, our medicine is seen as barbaric etc. What a culture shock! When important aspects of our lives were taken away almost without a blink on our part, what then is the fuss over homosexuality? We have taken in many “foreign” cultures, some of which are good and some very injurious to the African society, so why the out-lash against gays and lesbians who are merely expressing themselves?
Importantly, a lot of African countries operate a quasi-liberal law which guarantees the freedom of expression for individuals. I am inclined to believe strongly that a right to expression includes the right to sexuality and an attack on this choice of sexuality amounts to a direct attack on people’s fundamental human rights.
With the rate of corruption and human right abuses dominating the political arena of African, bringing a war against homosexuality to the fore-front at this period is simply diversionary. What we should be concerned about right is how we can bring together our differences, fashion out our goals, fight corruption, feed the numerous hungry people, cure diseases and solidify our unity, instead of chasing a shadow called homosexuality. But as it is, laws have been passed, fights are on for survival and the end is far from near.
In modern times, homosexuality began to raise its head publicly most especially in Western Europe and the United States of America where it was initially and for a long time met with hostility. Nazi Germany was particularly notorious for having gay men being victims of the holocaust in their thousands. Apart from handing death and near-death punishments to active homosexuals, their advocates were not often spared the same fate.
As time went by and with persistent pressure, the inhumane persecutions receded but the discrimination continued. In the U.S.A for instance, gay men and lesbians were not allowed to serve in the armed forces, work discrimination was on the high and homosexuals were forced to keep matters of their sexuality as secretly as possible. But in recent years, the tables have turned and homosexuals have been properly integrated into western societies.
Here in Africa, the game takes a different twist. Many Africans believe that homosexuality is an alien culture to the continent, therefore, it should not be accepted. From another view, a lot of Africans still hold on to religious maxims. Hence the enacting of anti-gay laws.
If conservative cultures and religions are the way forward for the development of a society, those have certainly not worked for Africa taking into consideration the fact that we are highly cultural and religious, yet, the poorest continent in the world. Since the colonial era, Africa has become a melting pot of several cultures. Many indigenous African cultures have been relegated to the background due to interactions with other cultures. Our languages are fast fading away, our religions are becoming crimes, our medicine is seen as barbaric etc. What a culture shock! When important aspects of our lives were taken away almost without a blink on our part, what then is the fuss over homosexuality? We have taken in many “foreign” cultures, some of which are good and some very injurious to the African society, so why the out-lash against gays and lesbians who are merely expressing themselves?
Importantly, a lot of African countries operate a quasi-liberal law which guarantees the freedom of expression for individuals. I am inclined to believe strongly that a right to expression includes the right to sexuality and an attack on this choice of sexuality amounts to a direct attack on people’s fundamental human rights.
With the rate of corruption and human right abuses dominating the political arena of African, bringing a war against homosexuality to the fore-front at this period is simply diversionary. What we should be concerned about right is how we can bring together our differences, fashion out our goals, fight corruption, feed the numerous hungry people, cure diseases and solidify our unity, instead of chasing a shadow called homosexuality. But as it is, laws have been passed, fights are on for survival and the end is far from near.
