Kampala — Uganda has opposed the pending recognition of a South African gay rights group, Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), as an official observer at all African Union conferences, and to contribute to the NGO's forum.
"The African Charter and the Constitutive Act setting up the AU tell us to protect African values among our key objectives. These (gay rights) are alien to our culture and values. We shall continue to resist and fight them because common sense dictates against them. They are outlawed in Uganda and most African countries," the foreign service officer, ambassador Rosette Nyirinkindi, asserted.
She was making Uganda's contribution in the permanent representatives committee meeting on Wednesday.
Established in 2004, the CAL is a network of 19-member organisations working to eradicate stigma and discrimination against lesbians, bisexual and transgendered women in Africa, according to the executive director, Fikile Vilakazi.
The African Commission on Human and People's Rights last year deferred an application by CAL to allow the commission to discuss a paper on sexual orientation in Africa.
Other countries, however, called on state parties to repeal laws that discriminate against lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgendered and intersexual people.
In Uganda, the Anti-homosexuality Bill, if enacted, will broaden the criminalisation of homosexuality by introducing the death penalty for people who have previous convictions, are HIV-positive, or engage in same-sex acts with those less than 18 years of age, among other provisions.
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E GBA MI O!!!! (HELP!!!!) What and where in African culture is the hatred against homosexuality coming from? I stand to be enlightened about the African values, cultures or traditions that decree death for homosexuals prior to the intrusion of Islam, Christianity and Colonialism. It is evident too that attempt to perpetuate hatred of homosexuals in Africa is also an ongoing agenda of the American evangelicals and the universal Roman Catholic church. Common sense tells us that smoke invites fire, probably presence and prominence of homosexuality invited the colonial and the Christian anti-homosexuality laws and crack downs. The same antisocial social and ungodly act is now an unavoidable delicacy on the dining table of African political leaders, even when it is a poison to the minority lgbt community. Homophobia and hatred is what is imported not acceptance and affirmation a harmless minority. Clear evidence is found in the Uganda socio/political ousted kingdom of Buganda. My words to leaders of African and particularly those in Uganda: leadership that delights or promotes the oppression or death of her followership, either minority or majority followership, is an anomaly and the abomination not the homosexual you cannot recognize unless he/she comes out to you.. . Why is the fight against homosexuality going to OAU when Somalia and Sudan are disintegrating as a nation? How come we dont have leaders with real vision and real interest of the minority at heart in Africa? Contact brings understanding. If OAU buys Ugandas homophobic suggestion, and refuse the recognition of a South African gay rights group, Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), it is like African nations set the whole continent ablaze out of sentiment hence promoting genocide. It is serious! E gba mi o!!!!!!!!!
Let me put it short and blunt to you, eversince the birth of our African traditions, cultures, societies, norms, and believes; Africans have NEVER practise homosexuality. So, why then now ??? Is it because Africa has been looked down upon somany times by the west , and this make you think that Africans and Africa do not know what's drastically wrong from right ??? Is it ?? If you keep thinking as such, you're still leaving a prehistoric times. Homosexual is a DIRTY lifestyle and Africa WILL NEVER accept it. Besides, is it everything that the west introduce to Africa shall be accepted without further research by Africa and Africans?? Is it?? Let this be at the back of your mind. Why? Because many Africans do go to school and their are very intelligent ones. So, cowboy; what's done deal is done deal, meaning, Africa has rejected homonsexuality and that's it. Whether you like it or not, Africans and Africa are no more children, they are grown ups and know what is better for them.
Homosexuality in Traditional Sub-Saharan Africa and Contemporary South Africa* An overview by Stephen O. Murray
I hope you don't think English is African language and you are well aware of the enormous inflence of this language on local language especially among the elites and in the urban centers of Africa. Sence of confusion about African culture is more pronounced among the elites and urban dwellers than the Africans in the grass routes. Your name too is not African nor is my first name. Where African culture is so much poluted by influence of Arabs and European, who is anyone to claim authenticity of knowledge of African culture? All you will hear is claims made by people like Jonathan that a culture or practice is not African. But they will not be able to substantiate their claim by what is African culture.
I can buy you a copy of that book if you wish. couragenigeria@gmail.com
Great conversation; remember that when you are allied with a religion you have to show it in one way or another of how you are affiliated with that religion; and one way is by your name. Yes, christianity was introduced in Africa by the colonialists but that doesn't mean that teaching christianity should always be base on European culture. For instance, look that the dispute and the disallow of gay preachers in some other religions like the orthodox christianity. Please remember that the orthodox christianity was basically rooted out from African Culture. So, why isn't that the orthodox christianity not allowing gay preacher??? And furthermore, we "Africans" can change any other ideas to suit or comply with our cultures, traditions, societies, norms, and believes but if only we "Africans and Africa" want to. You also mention that some of our well intelligent and elites speak english language and are inducted in the European life. Well, my friend, language has no barrier, and there are even some whites who are acting as Africans, speaking swahili and other african's languages. They do that because of one particular reason, as a means of communication between two categories; therefore, I don't think that all of those Africans who speak english language and acted Europeans are misleading or putting their cultures aside - point incase, the last president of Tanzania, President Julius Narerra (Alimo the teacher). Therefore, if you think homosexuality should be introduce just because english language is widely speaking is a false alligation or implication. Languae is a form of communication but that doesn't mean that we "Africans" should continue to accept the destructive ideas from these Europeans. That if it happens, Africans will ever remain to be controll by europeans - probably you might want to be controll but not all Africans.
A LITTLE BIT OF REAL LIFE STORY MAY DISPENSE SOME LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE HERE. It is my mantra: an intelligent mind does not deny reality. I am real. I am gay. I am a Nigerian. I am an African. I am of the opinion that Cal be admitted to the meeting of African Union as observers. That would elevate the cloak of ignorance beclouding the mind of African leaders regarding homosexuality and human sexuality in general. Visibility leads to inquisitiveness which in turns leads to knowledge. Perhaps if I tell you a little bit about me you will get it. I was born in a little town in one of the Yoruba states in Nigeria. Growing up, I had a relative who fit perfectly the description of what you would call lesbian. Though married, I know her female lover. She had neither western education nor contact with Euro/American cultures other than her Christian faith which she also mingled with a native religion (she was a Sango worshipper.). My father told me she had been like that from time immemorial. She died in her 90s. Most female Sango worshipers in Yorubaland whom I have observed fit the perfect description of a lesbian. They have masculine characteristics and behave very manly. They are the type of women who would compete with men in some male-designated jobs. I on the other hand grew up with an effeminate nature. I have a brother and two sisters and I was close to both my father and mother equally. I remember vividly that they struggled with my obsession for cross-dressing without them being able to explain it. From my elementary school to University I was called names. Even now, my effeminate equanimity is what my clients often first notice and always refer to in me as a professional. (That is beyond sex.). That said; I have ALWAYS been aware of my attraction to men. I did not conceive this nature to be externally introduced to me even when I could not understand or know what name to call it. My family and most of my friends know that I am gay, not because I had a crush or sex with them, but because they observed our differences. Peoples observations have brought me face to face with discriminations and some bodily injuries. Man, know thyself. I studied myself without a teacher or peer to compare note with. I later started studying others who are like me and others, who love, like or hate me and their reasons for that. My personal research covers knowing people from all races of life who are like me. From south Africa to China, every other gay men story that I read have some similarities with my self-observation, Europeans, Indians, Middle-Eastern, Asians, Africans and others. I was thrilled when study revealed that there is homosexuality among animals too. The Europeans are more inquisitive and more persistent in pursuing learning moments from their mistakes than Africans. They have better approach to life than us because they study situation. This is a phenomenon Africa need to study from the past cultural life, individual stories and history. There are facts in archives put together by those who care to analyze lives like mine. Some Africans see the Euro/Americans as importers of homosexuality, but the entire laws you are brandish like Yahyas sword against homosexuals heads, with no traditional African backing or values are the legacies of the E/A, Yet they have moved from ignorance to enlightenment by studying and LISTENING TO THOSE CONCERNED and the EXPERTS. (That does not mean that there are no homophobes among them) But by laws, the homosexuals have the protection and the right to approach dignity and integrity through openness. Finally, if African Union needs a personal testimony, they can reach me through Couragenigeria@gmail.com. (Couragenigeria on twitter & facebook) and http://www.couragenigeria.org/
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