African myths about homosexuality

[FreeState]

Very informative and interesting article (it also compares a little of the African American attitudes too).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/23/homophobia-africa-gay-rights

Zimbabwe's Sunday Mail newspaper, which is controlled by Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party, ran an article last week headlined "Gay rights furore". It claimed that "Zimbabwe's major political parties are on a collision course over the inclusion of gay rights in the new constitution" because Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC is campaigning for the recognition of gay rights, while Zanu PF is against the idea for cultural reasons.

In turn Tsvangirai's MDC has denounced what it regards as "attempts by Zanu PF to distort the MDC constitution principles through media reports that the party is lobbying for gay rights in the new constitution:

"Nowhere in our principles document is there any reference to gays and lesbians. For the record, it is well-known that homosexuality is practised in Zanu PF where senior officials from that party have been jailed while others are under police probe on allegations of sodomy. It is in Zanu PF where homosexuality is a religion."

Zanu PF and the MDC's use of the gay rights debate for political mileage and in order to deflect attention from other subjects are superficial explanations for these homophobic political developments. They are symptomatic of a broad disinclination for open and factual discussion about gay rights in many African states and black communities around the world. Myths about African culture, the strength of religion and black masculinity are the main reasons.


Black Africans and African-Americans must address constructions of their masculinity, the myth that pre-colonial Africa was exclusively heterosexual and anti-homosexual attitudes emanating from religion if they are to rise above homophobia.