OUT in Africa ? SACRATOMATOVILLE POST

From one African to others:

?To discriminate against our sisters and brothers who are lesbian or gay on grounds of their sexual orientation for me is as totally unacceptable and unjust as apartheid ever was???- Bishop Desmond Tutu

Unfortunately, many in Africa do not share Desmond Tutu?s position. In Africa homosexuality is illegal for men in 29 countries and for women it is illegal in 20 countries. Whilst this is the case in many African countries, it is not the case in South Africa where homosexuality is legal and visible and there is even a natural legislation which bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. There are however a lot of peer led organisations in most of the African countries that are working tirelessly to address this anomaly.

It has been found that in the traditional perception of African society,? heterosexual marriage is desired and childbearing is glorified, whilst being gay or lesbian is seen as deviant and alien to the social fabric of Africa. Gay or lesbian relationships in some African countries are described as a foreign concept and a practice that is against the cultural values, norms and dignity of Africa. Some hold the opinion that it is against the creation of man and woman as God designed them to be. In countries like Malawi, most ethnic groups recognise the arrangement of a man marrying a woman as natural and the basis of a healthy family. Legalising gay and lesbian relationships are seen to defy God?s arrangement that humanity should procreate, as it is argued that people in a same-sex relationship cannot bear children. Other debates in Africa have suggested that homosexuality is a psychological and social problem affecting western countries and should not be normalised in Africa in the name of human rights.

The impact of these cultural constraints for gay and lesbian teens cannot be underestimated in the African society. Teens find themselves with everything to lose if they come out. Homophobic environments exist everywhere including within families, churches and schools. Teens grow up in a culture and environment where being gay or lesbian is seen as wrong, with role models openly condemning these ?lifestyles?. Those who have been bold enough to come out risk losing everything, as they are normally dependant on their family. They experience isolation, humiliation and rejection.

Tackling homophobia in the African context is challenging though, as there are prejudicial attitudes and discrimination in all areas of society. Its effects are far reaching, with recent studies showing that homophobia is a major barrier to ending the HIV epidemic as it is preventing gay men?s access to prevention programs and treatment. There are now many calls to consider holistic approaches in addressing this issue. Community based organisations are being challenged to provide support to LGBT people who feel marginalised and isolated, which in turn may influence the attitudes of the communities themselves. Public campaigns with messages that challenge homophobia are seen as one avenue where awareness issues can be addressed. Above all, governments need to repeal the laws that ban homosexuality, as this can effectively reduce discrimination against LGBT, promote fundamental human rights and prevent the spread of HIV.

Imprisonment is the most common punishment in African countries where homosexuality is illegal. The countries? constitutions often include clauses protecting human rights which the anti-gay laws contradict. The laws can also vary within a nation depending on the religious laws of an area. The types of punishments in the African nations also varies depending on the severity of the act such as whether or not it was in private and whether there was actual intercourse or a only an ?indecent? act.

Countries where homosexuality is a crime:

1.?? ?Algeria
2.?? ?Angola
3.?? ?Benin
4.?? ?Botswana
5.?? ?Burundi
6.?? ?Cameroon
7.?? ?Cape Verde
8.?? ?Djibouti
9.?? ?Ethiopia
10.?? ?Ghana
11.?? ?Gambia
12.?? ?Guinea
13.?? ?Kenya
14.?? ?Liberia
15.?? ?Libya
16.?? ?Malawi
17.?? ?Mauritius
18.?? ?Morocco
19.?? ?Mozambique
20.?? ?Namibia
21.?? ?Senegal
22.?? ?Somalia
23.?? ?Swaziland
24.?? ?Tanzania
25.?? ?Togo
26.?? ?Tunisia
27.?? ?Uganda
28.?? ?Zambia
29.?? ?Zimbabwe

Countries which have the death penalty for homosexuality:
1. ?? ?Sudan
2.?? ?Nigeria (according to Sharia law. Federal laws punish through imprisonment)
3.?? ?Mauritania
In 2005 South Africa became the first nation in Africa to allow same-sex marriage following a court ruling which found the previous marriage laws violated the country?s Bill of Rights. South Africa was only the second nation outside of Europe to legalise same-sex marriage.

By: Siza Sibanda / Gay News Network Australia?

Siza Sibanda is a Health Promotion Officer for people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds with the AIDS Council of ?South Australia?

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