The Revolutionary Change in LGBT+ Rights in Africa
This article was written by Elvis Kachi for myGwork.
In recent times, the African community has had to deal with a lot of hate. It is incredibly fascinating that amidst all the disturbing manifestations of this hatred, the African LGBTQ+ community seems to be at the forefront of this very worrisome activity.
It's all the more fascinating that what might have been ruled as sheer lack of exposure and education in the early 50's, 60's and 70's still holds so much water even in this present time.
The African LGBTQ+ community, besides dealing with a whole lot of hate and loathing, is also torn between worlds of many recurring spiteful events. Homophobia? Struggle for acceptance? Religious sentiments? Banishment? The denial of job opportunities and support? Oppression? Derogatory remarks? Inequality? Pine for Acceptance? Name it, the list is endless.
Just a few years ago - precisely January 7th, 2014, under the rulership of a former Nigerian President, a bill was passed which sternly warned LGBTQ+ Nigerian citizens against public displays of affection. It was called the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, SSMPA. Summarily, the law prohibits members of the LGBTQ+ community from organizing or attending parties, events or any other forms of social activity that further strengthens and/or stretches the reach of the community's power. Breaching it would result in a 10 year imprisonment sentence. Besides the SSMPA, there's an already established 14 years jail time punishment for homosexual practices, as it was already a criminal offence.
What this law also (consciously, unconsciously, or subconsciously) did was project a form of hate towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. This isn't coming from the government anymore, but from regular citizens who have seen the passing of this bill as a form of empowerment to further instigate harmful actions against LGBT people. The law is now being taken into the hands of these regular citizens who consider themselves to be doing the Nigerian government a favour.
A law in the Northern part of Nigeria justifies the homicide of LGBTQ+ Nigerians, by stoning. This arises from an interpretation of religious law. In summary, the law prohibits LGBT people from exhibiting any form of sensual or emotional display of affection. Any one caught in public doing so is liable to be stoned to death.
One would recall that especially during 2019, there were reports of LGBTQ+ people being cruelly mistreated just for being perceived to be gay. Those who weren't lucky enough to survive the beatings, harsh treatments or unprecedented outing were either murdered, or took to taking their own life. The system, to them, is designed to function against LGBTQ+ people.
As hard as it has been in Nigeria, most African countries share the same stories with similar or even worse penalties for LGBTQ+ people.
● Tanzania, for example passes, a 30 year life imprisonment sentence to anyone caught committing homosexual acts. Just recently, there has been a government crackdown on LGBTQ+ activity within the country.
● Malawi's case is peculiar. They are conflicted over LGBTQ+ rights and tolerance because the government and those in power keep giving varying decisions and bills regulating the conduct of LGBTQ+ people. Ultimately, the same sex act recieve 14 years imprisonment for men, and 5 years imprisonment for women.
● Sudan's case on the other hand is quite straightforward: the first two accounts of sexual gay relationship attracts 100 lashes and 5 years imprisonment, while the third and final account earns a death penalty or life imprisonment.
● Zambia, some time around November 2019, sentenced two consenting adult men to 15 years in prison for having sex in the privacy of their own hotel room. That same month, Ugandan police authorities erroneously arrested 125 people in a gay bar located in the capital city, Kampala, whom now face charges.
● Zimbabwean former prime minister, Robert Mugabe is famously known for saying homosexuality is Un-African, and was introduced to Africa as a "white man's disease".
Very notable African countries are known for their stance concerning members of the LGBTQ+ community, and how very unsafe these countries are both for its residents, visitors, or even tourists.
A notable event that took place on the 7th of March 2020 in the South Eastern part of Nigeria stirred an outrage in the country, and has made Nigerian LGBTQ+ activists both at home and in diaspora to speak up against the violence projected at LGBTQ+ Nigerians.
The victim agreed to a planned visit, to pay 20,000 Nigerian Naira (an equivalent of $54) in exchange for sex. The supposed hook-up partner told his friend, Chidi Omeh. Together, the homophobic duo beat up the victim, forcefully took the money, and the victim’s phone also to get the contacts of other LGBTQ+ Nigerians to repeat the scam over and over.
What they didn't know was that the victim wasn't going to go without a fight. As push turned to shove with the victim proving rather adamant, the duo forced him to a corner and murdered him in cold blood.
It was at the final stage of disposing the body that they were apprehended by those living around them. Videos were then made, which went viral showcasing the perpetrators of homophobia admitting to committing gruesome murder.
To this end, 20 years old young activist Mathew Blaise alongside his friends Ani Kayode and Victor Eze took to Twitter to express their thoughts as with regards the incessant attacks on LGBTQ Nigerians. They initiated the hashtag #EndHomophobiaInNigeria which trended on Twitter Nigeria, garnering the attention and conversation of everyone - whether allies and homophobes.
Amidst all the hate and laws concerning African LGBTQ+ community members, it is an open secret that organizations, groups, initiatives, private individuals and NGOs are working relentlessly to provide effective safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people. Even with laws that strictly target and prohibit the functioning of these safe groups, those spearheading, supporting and running these spaces are disregarding the consequences and are holding onto strings of loopholes in the law.
These organisations such as TIERS, WHER, the Bisi Alimi Foundation, AGHI, Equality Morocco, Lambda Association Mozambique, Queer Alliance Nigeria, Africa Rainbow, Somali Humanitarian and Development Action, Freedom Sudan - just to mention a few, are providing selfless services to LGBTQ+ people. Whilst some are making sure there's the swift provision of free food, psychologists, medical professionals, legal advisors, advocacy, others are going out of their way to do research to provide individuals with movies, documentaries, novels and short films, as they try to undo the work the media has already done to damage representation of LGBTQ+ issues.
Additionally, they're placing paralegals on various meaningful sectors as they deliberately collaborate with allies, especially in governmental and non governmental chambers/institutions such as the UN and Africa Commissions, to ensure that more thoughtful laws are passed for the African LGBTQ society. Others are even providing themselves as a form of umbrella, to warehouse other organizations with the progress of LGBTQ+ in mind, so they can have a broader reach.
These organisations are also creating and supervising more LGBTQ advocacy groups, business engagement programs, and empowerment programs. In all, they're working to create a place for positive difference; a generation, able to live a free and fair life especially with regards workplace diversity and inclusion. They're working to ensure humans are not biased by their beliefs, leaving people to live, staying at the top of their games, careers and aspirations.
Is this working? Totally. How? Multiple African countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Seychelles, Burkina Faso, Angola, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Niger, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Rwanda, Djibouti, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe are some of the countries who have decriminalised homosexuality with acceptance of its practices and sexual orientation.
