how long will african countries deny existence of lgbti people

By  Johannes Tesfagabir  (BTM Fellow)

Currently, talking about the rights of LGBTI persons in many African countries is next to impossible as the continent has become a place where human rights, especially LGBTI rights, have become entirely foreign. 

To many individuals, talking about the rights of LGBTI persons in Africa appears to be untimely, given the absence of recognition of their LGBTI rights it seems that the time has not arrived for the rights of this minority group to be discussed in public.

LGBTI individuals are often denied their rights in Africa, especially compared to their counter parts in liberal countries.

This is why it is not difficult to understand the plight of LGBTI persons in the continent.

Not only their very existence remains unacknowledged, but also their very human manifestation �associating themselves with one another is criminalized.

A number of African countries have penal codes which criminalise same-sex relationships.

Criminal law is a powerful tool through which stigma is produced and reproduced.

These laws were promulgated decades ago when the first human rights seeds were sown by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A more than half a century evolution has produced completely different worlds in terms of human rights.

However, LGBTI individuals remain a minority group in each and every African country whose voice is yet to be heard.
 
What is more disturbing is that there are still many countries that are still drafting laws to criminalise same-sex relationships.

Can we think of another worse restriction on human beings other than denying the very manifestation of their humanity � associating themselves with one another, at a time when we claim to live in the age of human rights?

It is important to raise a seemingly simple question but which reflects the views of majority of heterosexuals - are there LGBTI persons in each African country?

To many uninformed heterosexuals, LGBTI orientation is un-African and does not exist.

However, history recorded that same-sex relationships predated colonialism in Africa.

It is not uncommon to hear government officials at the higher level openly denying the existence of LGBTI persons in their respective countries.

The truth remains however, individuals with LGBTI orientation are not conscripts sent for a mission here and there to spoil the world.

They are part of a society in each and every country. Africa cannot be an exception in this regard.

The existence of LGBTI people in each African country has been manifested in different numerous occasions.
As experience of other countries demonstrated, the exclusion of LGBTI individuals in many societies has become a breeding ground for the 21st century enemy of human beings � HIV/AIDS.

While many countries deny the existence of LGBTI people in their countries, it is confusing to see some of the se countries prioritising gay men in their HIV/AIDS policies.

Incorporating LGBTI persons into society will be of double benefit. While LGBTI persons will have their dignity back and enjoy their rights as equal citizens, it will also allow them to reach their potential in life and from their contribution, the society at large will benefit.

The US president, Bill Clinton was quoted as saying �every day that we discriminate, that we hate, that we refuse to avail ourselves of the potential of any group of Americans, we are all less than we ought to be.�

Clinton reminded all Americans that they have too much to do to endure quaint little rules that they can�t afford to waste the hearts and minds of the gays and lesbians.

Whether a society is ready to accept them or not, LGBTI persons will be there.

A society which is wise enough will choose to accept them as they are and make use of their potentials. A society which fails to do so will always remain divided, and will be, to borrow Clintons phrase again, less than it ought to be.

Individuals form their own perceptions based on the way they grow up or based on the teaching of their society. The only way to modify or change one�s own perception is to be willing to learn.

Thanks to information technology - we are blessed today to have information at the tip of our fingers -to know what is happening at any corner of the planet.

LGBTI people are coming to the forefront in most African countries and it is only a matter of time before we see the same thing happening in those countries where LGBTI individuals are still confined into solitude at present.
 
Throughout history, the LGBTI movement in any country has never been easy.
Even in those countries where LGBTI persons are said to enjoy their rights on equal footing with their heterosexual counter parts, homophobia is very much alive.

To a large extent, public figures, such as church leaders and political appointees are responsible for fuelling homophobia.

A recent incident in Ethiopia is a typical example of this. Religious leaders have called the government to amend the constitution of the country to ban homosexuality.

While religious leaders are mandated with religious affairs, it is entirely an affront in this age of human rights for a government to act based on the demands of religious leaders who do not represent the entire population.

While it will take sometime to see tolerant African countries which respect human rights, it is important that LGBTI persons in each African country make their voice heard availing themselves of the internet world.