Many years ago I lived overseas where I was, as you can expect, a minority. I felt like a minority because quite often I was reminded abrasively at times that I was in fact that minority. Fast forward to 2012 and now living back home, those lessons have not been forgotten. It took me many years to understand why I was so concerned with minorities and/or the disadvantaged in society. Inspired by a #263Chat topic last year, I had a moment – an epiphany if you will. I care about minorities because for many years I was that minority. In some small way I still am.
Let’s fast forward to 8th January 2013 on a day where we discussed Gay Rights in Zimbabwe during our weekly #263Chat. The guest expert was @HOLAAfrica who played an instrumental role in disseminating information but more importantly debunking the various myths regarding gay rights in Zimbabwe. The conversation itself was an eye opening discussion for most it seems. You could tell from the tweets and comments prior to this week’s #263Chat that many people were very much interested in this discussion but whether they would actually be tweeting and sharing their thoughts with others was another matter altogether. From the messages and emails I received afterwards, there were many people sitting on the sidelines watching and taking in the discussion.
Sadly what struck me most was the higher than expected level of bigotry. I have often heard statements about how religious or how Christian Zimbabweans are, however I saw very little Christian values during #263Chat this week. Many equated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals (LGBTI) to animal behaviour. One individual spoke about ‘killing them’ while others expressed disgust that there were people who was advocating for their rights. I personally lost some followers on twitter that day and the subsequent days simply because I wouldn’t support their views. Some expected me to engage in this bigotry fuelled discussion and oppose LGBTI however as I mentioned earlier, this group is a minority in Zimbabwe trying to survive against all odds. They too require support and inclusion in society just like everyone else.
A few points from the discussion: -
- Despite our high level of education and exposure we’re still not yet as tolerant as I thought we should be. This was evidenced by various people who called for the killing of gays and lesbians and other such comments. Some of the same people claimed to be Christians and used the Bible as their basis for their argument.
- The older generation who took up in this #263Chat may relate to the discrimination of a section in society. I firmly believe there will come a time when we have accepted LGBTI as being a part of our society. As begottensun pointed out: ‘some people will one day read back yesterday’s #chat263 & cringe like white people who opposed blacks on TV in the 60s’. He’s right; it’s only a matter of time really. Till then, their fight continues.
- One individual suggested that those advocating for gay rights were predominantly based outside the country, whilst another suggested that those supporting gay rights are MDC supporters and those opposing are Zanu PF supporters. I found that comment very interesting. Yet again another example at how we often politicise situations when there is absolutely no need to.
In conclusion, this topic was always going to be a tense affair with heightened emotions infused with the much anticipated bigotry that is often associated with LGBTI discussions in Zimbabwe. I know there are many people and/or various organisations who were ‘listening in’ as the discussion continued. #263Chat was established amongst other things to be a catalyst. I know the conversation didn’t end there and is still ongoing right now. That was the point i.e. we took an issue that was otherwise swept under the carpet and brought it out in the open. Let’s keep talking about this. While we talk, we invariably share ideas, engage others and slowly perceptions and reality should change. As Sue Nyathi so rightly said, ‘every citizen should enjoy the same rights regardless of their sexual orientation’.
Ngoni
12/01/2013
Gay community is biblialy, morally and traditionaly wrong. If you take a stand to support them you make yourself an enemy to God. Even animals can’t do such evil act. God destroyed sodom and gomorrah for that same reason. God made two opposite sex organs those two must work together as it do in all the animals. A man’s anas was made to let out shit not to receive a man private part. Thats why a child can never be born among two same sex people because its a against laws of nature. The law of reproduction requirs a male and a female to produce a seed. And all females who use sex toys and fingers its all wrong. Only a human being do sex for pleasure, all animals dont do it for pleasure. Animals do it only if there need to reproduct. But a man is become so fallen on all animals. God repented himself over the man he made. He regreted because of the man which he created. Gay community is anti- Christ. Its a sin . Its abomination. There is no right to be a homosexual. Rights to be homosexual is not part of human rights. Homosexual is a criminal offence. This is the ending days of the world because gays are given more rights than us who not homosexual.
Sir Nigel
12/01/2013
Thank you Ngoni for sharing your thoughts. Quick question, whilst you suggest that we shouldn’t accept LGBTI rights, I must also point out that they do exist in our society.What should we do then? Should we continue to sweep the issue under the carpet? That isn’t wise, don’t you think?
New Age Woman
16/01/2013
This is a much needed discussion.well done guys.personally i had the same negative views about homosexuality until i got exposed to a few gay individuals while at university and it completely changed my view.these were people who were kind and loving people.which i cannot say for many church going straight people. One day we shall realize that its all about love.jesus’ main message was about unconditional love.love that doesnt ask u to fill in a form in order for you to have access to it.its unconditional. I feel the concept of homosexuality is infact a gift for us to question and redefine the concept of love.like frank ocean saidhe believes marriage isnt between man and woman but between love and love.there are many straight couples who are married but have not an ounce of love between them. the question that matters for you then is whether making babies is the more important thing.We need to redefine love and marriage and what makes a good person.however its not all of us who have had the.experience of encountering a loving person who happens to be gay so its only through conversations such as these that we can openour minds and hearts. I believe eventually we will.but it will take time.one more point to make..a tribute to.gay people who i think were put on this earth with the enormous task of loving themselves even though society and socialisation told them otherwise.they remain true to what they feel inside regardless. To love oneself is the first step to loving those around you. These are the great teachers of this day..
mabhunu
17/01/2013
there is a difference between being a minority and a weirdo. next wi gon have prostitutes as minorities, satanists et al. musade kuti svibisira nyika.