rights and wrongs!

Source: www.blacklooks.org

January 25, 2007: Midival Punditz played out the WSF – everyone cheered and the MC announced that four women would be presenting the resolutions from the WSF. Kasha, an LGBTI activist from Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), went up to the stage and asked to make a statement. She was asked for a copy of what she would be speaking about and gave them her piece.

The organisers threw her piece on the floor and refused to allow her to speak. Kasha stood her ground saying she, like everyone else, had a right to speak here at the WSF. Despite the harassment by the MC and organisers, Kasha took the mic and spoke. She spoke about being a lesbian, about being a homosexual. She refuted the myth that homosexuality was un-African. She spoke about the punishment and criminalisation of homosexuals in Kenya, in Uganda, and in Nigeria. She said homosexuals in Africa were here to stay.

Homosexuals have the same rights as everyone else and should be accepted and finally that even in Africa Another World is Possible for Homosexuals.

Kasha was booed and the crowd shouted obscenities at her waving their hands screaming: ‘No! No! No!’ But she persisted and said what needed to be said.

This was the end of the WSF. This is where everyone was talking about human rights, oppression, slavery, land rights, women’s rights… RIGHTS, RIGHTS, RIGHTS! But here were people that exclude the LGBTI community from these RIGHTS they shout about.

After Kasha left, the four women came on the stage and spoke of RIGHTS – the crowd cheered and cheered but we know now that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex people are not included in these RIGHTS IN AFRICA – BUT THE LGBT COMMUNITY will not be SILENCED. We have seized the time and there is no going back! Stay blessed Kasha – what you did today was brave and we are all proud of you.