HOCA OPENS HOMOSEXUALITY DEBATE IN RWANDA

Simangele Mzizi (BTM intern)


RWANDA: 09 October 2009 - A public admission by the Director of Horizon Community Association (HOCA), Naome Ruzindana, that homosexuality does exist in Rwanda has sparked controversy in that country, with public figures dubbing it an abomination that contradicts the Rwandan culture.

In an interview with Izuba Rirashe a Rwandan newspaper, Ruzindana said they are ready to be visible and operate in an open space for society and the state to know their existence and to fight for their freedom and right to existence.

�Its in this sense, we thought it was necessary for some of us to come out, I felt it was necessary to be out spoken about homosexuality, for people not to pretend that we do not exist�, said Ruzindana.

�We are here to fight against the new penal code that is being debated upon to be put into law�, she added.
Despite the emergence of movements that have began advocating for the rights of sexual minority groups, many people in Rwanda continue to deny the existence of homosexuality in the country.

Joseph Habineza, Minister of Sports and Culture in Rwanda said, �that is an abomination that contradicts the Rwandan Culture, and if these people are ready to be visible let them know, that the state is also ready to confront them for whatever reasons.�

Dr Raphael Gasinzigwa also told, Izuba Rirashe (Rwandan newspaper) that, homosexuality is �total deviation, sicknesses, and that such people are mentally disturbed and need treatment.�
According to Ruzindana coming out and speaking about homosexuality in Rwanda has helped in creating awareness that it does exist.

�It has caused a debate on all radio stations, and I am sure people are more aware about homosexuality now as opposed to when there was silence about it�, she said.
Even though there are no laws criminalising homosexuality in Rwanda, Section 322 of the Penal Code prohibits sexual relations with persons under the age of 18.

However many individuals find themselves harassed, threatened, imprisoned or abused because of their sexual orientation as a result many gays and lesbians live a secretive life.
The Rwandan government and society has for a long time seemingly preferred to deny and ignore the existence of the gay and lesbian community.

HOCA is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) rights organisation based in Rwanda aimed at sensitising society to the challenges that gays and lesbians face.