Homophobia in africa pdf

Anyone who says that homosexuality is unafrican is racist. Xi preface1 all very confusing among the many myths europeans have created about africa, the myth that homosexuality is ab sent or incidental in african societies is one of the oldest and most enduring. The data regarding these perceptions is in line with the data. The precolonial african is one who has been severely handicapped in terms of sexuality. The workshop for lesbians on internalized homophobia was an examination of how living in a homophobic world damages lesbians. In other words, what is alien to the continent is legalized homophobia, exported to africa by the imperialists where there had been indifference to and even tolerance of samesex relations. Homophobic rhetoric, and the violence it supports, is often premised on the idea that homosexuality is unafrican and that it is a degenerate byproduct of. Of the jurisdictions surveyed, only south africa affirmatively permits samesex marriage. The following discussion and the 21 examples are from that report, expanded criminalisation of. Recent recognition of lesbian and gay rights and approval of equality laws in several countries confirms the.

Revitalizing the fight against homophobia in africa aws. Nov 20, 2008 implications for practice are considered in the context of south africa s new constitution and the implementation of curriculum 2005. The recent emergence of homosexuality as a central issue in public debate in various parts of africa has encouraged a stereotypical image of one homophobic africa, often placed in opposition to a tolerant or depraved west. At least 21 cultural varieties of samesex relationships have long been part of traditional african life, as demonstrated in a report that was designed to dispel the confusion and lies that surrounded ugandas anti homosexuality bill of 2014 which has since been overturned. Pdf in this paper, i assert that the criminalization of homosexuality in africa is a result of a coconstruction process which has its roots during. Why africa is a hotbed of homophobia world news the. It was enforced legally by colonial administrators and ideologically by christian missionaries. Most tolerant countries the afrobarometer network, which conducts public opinion surveys in africa, recently listed the continents most and least homophobic countries. Heteronormativity, homophobia and culture arguments in.

The homosexual nature of africas past you didnt know. He views it ironic that homosexuality as unafrican is sighted by african leaders to justify homophobic sentiment yet the emergence of homophobia in africa was strongly linked to colonial influence and is embedded in colonial laws which are still invoked. The irony of homophobia in africa homosexuals are worse than pigs and dogs asserted one former african president. Samesex relations are illegal in 36 of africas 55 countries, according to amnesty international, and punishable by death in some states. Country criminal provisions laws against advocacy recognition of samesex marriage commit an unnatural offense, also a crime, is, punishable on conviction by a sevenyear prison term. Research on the response of the main line churches to homosexuality in south africa. Parental views of morality and sexuality and the implications for south african moral education 2012 bhana, d understanding and addressing homophobia in schools. The following chart summarizes the treatment of homosexuality in the laws of fortynine african nations. In the 18th century, the khoikhoi people recognised the terms koetsire which refers to a man who is sexually receptive to another man, and soregus, which refers to samesex masturbation usually among friends. Shocking new stats show that south africans are becoming. Homophobia is a colloquial expression that refers to negative, fearful, or hateful attitudes and behavior toward gays and lesbians. The myth of western decadence exposed semantic scholar. Subsequently, even though it is now established that laws criminalizing homosexuality in many countries have their roots in the colonial period. Homosexuality is still illegal in 38 african countries.

Feb 22, 2014 the real import into africa was not homosexuality but homophobia. Homophobia and sexuality diversity in south african. The pervasive homophobia that extends across africa 31 coupled with the widespread criminalization of sex between men has resulted in msm being very poorly engaged with prevention and care. The nai workshop was a part of an international project managed by uit the arctic university of norway and funded by the research council of norway. The issue of homosexuality has excited deep and often extreme reactions in africa. Feb 28, 20 homophobia corrective rape south africa has extremely high rates of sexual violence, and rape has been used in the country as a way to punish women who do not conform to normative ideals of femininity in different ways over time. Homosexuality is also recorded among the siwa of egypt. Jun 30, 2016 it is also clear that south africa in general is a very homophobic nation and this might be because people have limited or no information about human sexuality, gender identity and sexual minorities. Bbc news in depth africalive homosexuality in africa.

The history of lgbt legislation south african history online. Defining homophobia and the theoretical scope as a term, homophobia has been utilized in a vast array of settings, which has contributed to a misleading meaning. In these four african countries, the majority of residents say they would welcome or would not be bothered having a homosexual neighbor. Three out of five african countries have laws criminalising homosexuality and the public expression of sexual or gender behaviour. Anal intercourse and sexual relations between women also occurred, though.

It is a bargaining chip in order to hold countries to ransom. Pdf on jan 1, 2016, elias kifon bongmba and others published homosexuality, ubuntu, and otherness in the african church in advance find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Out of the 54 states recognised by the united nations or african union or both, the international gay and lesbian association stated in 2015 that. It was considered a boys rite of passage in benin, and womanwoman marriages involving a bride price existed in more than 30 african societies from nigeria to kenya to south africa. The work that has been undertaken by both government and civil society to tackle homophobia appears to have had little impact on the general. Queer youth in south africa today key aids acquired immune deficiency syndrome anc african national congress arvs antiretrovirals few forum for the empowerment of women gala gay and lesbian memory in action hiv human immunodeficiency virus hsrc human sciences research council humcc hope and unity metropolitan community church iam inclusive. Francis, d, msibi, t 2011 teaching about heterosexism. It details the costs of this surge in legislative homophobia to u. Africa is a large continent with diverse cultures and ethnicities, however homophobia fueled by religious intolerance and oppressive laws are remarkably similar issues most have in common. Homophobia is a form of cultural prejudice rather than a manifestation of an individual phobia. Words by hamish mckenzie illustration by mahalia lodge. Homosexuality and the legalisation of homophobia in africa.

While literally translating to an irrational fear of homosexuals, it has. Shocking new stats show that south africans are becoming more. Because the term homophobia is widely understood, it is often used in an allencompassing way to refer to fear, hatred and. Homosexuality is still taboo in many african countries. The early roman criminal law expressly prohibited unnatural practices. The th edition of the statesponsored homophobia report is authored by lucas ramon mendos for the international lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association ilga. The term is a misnomer in that it implies an irrational fear of homosexuals similar to the panic of claustrophobia.

The other states that homophobic relations may have in fact been an integral part of african history and hence african life. This often translates into blatant hatred and violence against this community under the umbrella of laws enacted to criminalize lgbt people. V summary the proposal of the anti homosexuality bill in uganda in 2009 led to a situating of uganda as the focal point for an international debate on the rights of samesex people. Recently, leaders in namibia, zimbabwe and uganda openly condemned homosexuality and are seeking. Jul 25, 2012 homophobia in democratic south africa. The idea that african homosexuality was a colonial import is. The use of defence mechanisms as precursors to coming out in postapartheid south africa. In uganda, conducting research on msm, including investigations of possible human rights abuses, has become difficult or impossible. Laws on homosexuality in african nations the following chart summarizes the treatment of. It should maintain highlevel public and private pressure on homophobic governments and integrate gay rights within broader efforts to advance.

West african writers for instance sought to present a picture of the african male where sex. New research seeks to dispel myth of african homophobia. A weapon of sexism all women was an analysis of homophobia, why it is every womans issue, and ways to work against it for the good of all people. The global gay rights movement has just entered a dark new chapter with rising economic giant nigeria snatching the limelight as africas new poster child of homophobia. The voices of strident homophobic leaders in africa have been amplified by large infusions of money from american rightwing culture warriors such as howard f. This publication compiles data on laws that affect people on the basis of their sexual orientation a fundamental resource for researchers, civil society organisations, governments and the general public. Why africa is a hotbed of homophobia world news the guardian. Homosexuality in africa the issue of homosexuality in african culture remains complex and controversial. An exploratory study of the social contexts, practices and risks of men who sell sex in southern and eastern africa.

What is striking is that this image of africa as homophobic is promoted by both traditionalists who insist that homosexuality is a western intrusion andby the western media that focus. Centre for the study of violence and reconciliation centre. The report, launched at the seventh south african aids conference in durban, south africa, last night 10 june, examines scientific evidence on sexual practices. By situating homosexuality within african culture, cosmology and spirituality, the article refutes the claim that homosexuality is a colonial import. The irony of homophobia in africa request pdf researchgate. A homosexual is broadly defined to include any individual who touches another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality. Pdf homosexuality, ubuntu, and otherness in the african. In uganda, for example, the pracitce referred to as carnal knowledge of another against the order of nature has been outlawed by president museveni, while zimbabwes president robert mugabe claimed homosexuals were worse than pigs and dogs. The men interviewed argued that they are heterosexual. Criminalization, protection and recognition of samesex love.

A qualitative study of the experiences of christian homosexual university students. Criminalization of samesex conduct in subsaharan africa. The editors are also planning a special issue on homophobia in africa for publication in septembe 20r th. Homosexuality is still taboo in many african countries the. We discuss three ironies inherent in african homophobia, and their consequences not only for increasing risk of hivaids in men who have sex. Out of the 54 states recognised by the united nations or african union or both, the international gay and lesbian association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 african countries. How the church affects lgbt repression religion news service religion news service rns in the last month, many westerners watched in horror as uganda, and then nigeria, enacted laws that are brutally repressive to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. With the exception of south africa and cape verde, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lgbt rights in africa are limited in comparison to western europe and much of the americas and oceania. Homosexuality was not uncommon in ancient greece and rome, and the. The idea that african homosexuality was a colonial import. We discuss three ironies inherent in african homophobia, and their consequences not only for increasing risk of hivaids. The latter school of thought claims that after the colonial invasion and the missionary contact in africa, many african social structures as well as traditions were reshaped to suit the colonial legacy they left behind. Progressive prudes, one of the first surveys conducted on the attitudes towards homosexuality and gender nonconformity in south africa, noted that 51% believe that gay people should have the same human rights, but a staggering 72% feel that samesex activity is morally wrong. Mar 05, 2017 rising homophobia in africa homosexuality is illegal in 38 african countries and, in recent years, legal rights for lgbt people across the continent have been diminishing, according to amnesty.

Thinking about sexual rights and citizenship in postapartheid south africa vasu reddy 18 n. Pdf the invention of homophobia in africa researchgate. Apr 26, 2014 in other words, what is alien to the continent is legalized homophobia, exported to africa by the imperialists where there had been indifference to and even tolerance of samesex relations. The term gay is frequently used as a synonym for homosexual. Criminal laws on homosexuality in african nations library of. Homophobia and sexuality diversity in south african schools.

Consequently, the following list is the top homophobic countries in africa. Mar 08, 2014 the idea that african homosexuality was a colonial import is a myth. Coming out experiences, gay and lesbian youth, homophobia, qualitative research, secondary education, south africa. In uganda such laws were introduced by the british and have been part of our penal law since the late 19th century. Revitalizing the fight against homophobia in africa. Homosexuality and samesex relations have been documented among various modernday namibian groups. Working through local activists is crucial for the effort to counter homophobia in africa. Experiences from nigeria dorothy akenova 16 n identity, law, justice. This has ultimately resulted in dra conian responses, often using colonial antisodomy laws, directed against those who claim a gay identity, or.

Homosexuals are worse than pigs and dogs asserted one former african president. Lgbti people, the often populist incitements by politicians in media out lets close to the regime to attack homosexuals and. Thinking about sexual rights and citizenship in postapartheid south africa vasu reddy 18 n womens rights and lesbian rights. Institutional and personal homophobia in subsaharan. A number of debates have taken place both within the church and the media concerning the future direction of the church on homosexuality and same sex marriages in south africa and the world over. South africa is a forerunner among african states regarding the rights and protections it gives to gays and lesbians, and it is also the first country in the world to offer explicit legal protection to gays and lesbians gevisser and cameron, 1995, p. Gay and lesbian youth experiences of homophobia in south. We have an enormous body of historical and scientific evidence for the existence of homosexuality in every culture on every continent and stretching back in time as far as the human record goes. Nigeria is known for homophobic discrimination, with numerous cases of torture and attacks on homosexuals. Homosexuality, sexual interest in and attraction to members of ones own sex. Western liberals eager to see the best in africa must face an inconvenient truth. We discuss three ironies inherent in african homophobia, and their consequences not only for increasing risk of hivaids in men who have sex with men msm but also for threatening peoples health in. Human rights watch notes that another two countries, benin and the central african republic, do not outlaw homosexuality, but have certain laws which apply differently to heterosexual and homosexual.

The second section problematizes the now longstanding assumption of a sodomitefree africa and uses foucaults concept of genealogy to challenge the notion that samesex desire is a western. The draconian bill was passed in a voice vote on thursday 30 may, 20 by members of the house of representatives. Clearly, it is not homosexuality that is unafrican but the laws that criminalized such relations. Africa is regularly perceived as a homophobic continent.

The provisions on criminal penalties only include penalties for acts involving adults, as all nations penalize sexual acts, whether homosexual or heterosexual, involving children. Scientific evidence shows that human sexual behaviour is naturally varied, and should not form a basis for discrimination, says a highly anticipated report from the academy of science of south africa assaf. Uvadare digital academic repository homophobic africa. In south africa, for example, certain political parties strongly frown on homosexuality andor immigration, whilst simultaneously promoting the rights of women and children. Homosexuality was a common occurrence in the gold mines of south africa during the 1950s and 1960s and even now dunbar moodie, vivienne ndatshe and british sibuyi, 1988. Clearly, homosexuality existed in early african history. The recent emphasis on rising homophobia in africa is disingenuous. While there is some correlation and association between religion and homosexuality, it is homosexuality in africa.

Report finds homosexuality is part of african life. African homophobia does not exist, nor does european homophobia, asian homophobia. Homosexuality remains illegal in almost twothirds of the 55. Homophobia is an irrational fear of, hatred or aversion towards lesbian, gay or bisexual people. It is also clear that south africa in general is a very homophobic nation and this might be because people have limited or no information about human sexuality, gender identity and sexual minorities.

Afro asian journal of social sciences volume 1, no. African is part of a complex and charged debate on sexuality, which exposes various cultural and political logics that. Homophobia increased in africa when missionaries and colonial administrations categorized homosexuality as a perversity, dunnink remarks. The argument questions whether the currently held perception of homosexuality as abhorrent is traditional to african culture or not. According to, a website intent on presenting news from the african pointofview, homosexuality is outlawed in 29 countries. Pdf homophobia is fuelling the aids epidemic in africa. Homophobia is fuelling the aids epidemic in africa. The causes of state discrimination based on orientation.