January 24, 2008
Hidden behind the closet
Amazing. The debate about homosexuality in Africa that started on Meskel Square almost three years ago is still going strong.
The range of opinions are shown in three recent comments, including one published today:
i have enough problems as is without someone condemning me to hell i do not understand why people have to judge is it cause it makes one feel better is that it there is no reason why i should wait till i die to burn in hell i have been in hell since i can remember our world is phobic not only to homosexuality but to everything that is different
mikiI found this through a link from another site. Very interesting topic. I am Ethiopian, and it took me a few years to understand that people do not chose to be gay. Nature along with nurture play a great role. while i was in ethiopia, without exaduration i didn't know anyone who is or might be gay. may be i wouldn't know even I saw one, or they are so much hidden they might be behind the closet. who can blame them when the law said their sexuality is punishable by imprisonment.
mimiLook folks, you are either a Christian or you are not. In other words, you are either a Christian or a homosexual. It just doesn't go together. If you choose to be gay or lesbian, you are denying Christianity because Christianity is black and white. Things are either acceptable or they are not, when it comes to homosexuality, it is not acceptable, period. Don't argue saying God loves everybody. God loves sinners too, but that doesn't change the fact that they are sinners.
the watcher's watcher
Posted by aheavens at January 24, 2008 6:57 AM
Comments
It's all in the Mind. If you believe that you are gay, then you will become gay. If you believe that you are straight, then you will become straight. It's all in the Mind. There is no devil expect the one running around your heart. The world without is a reflection of the world within. Listen to your Spirit and not to the desire of your flesh. Seek the Truth and the Kingdom of Heaven. Your flesh will do anything in its power to keep you away from the Truth.
Blessing to Africa.
Posted by: anonymous at January 27, 2008 6:49 AM
Thanks for starting this discussion and allowing it to continue. I'm an American woman who identifies as bisexual and I studied abroad (2005) in Tanzania and worked in Ghana (2006). I'm very open about my sexuality in the US, even when it is difficult. When I've dated women, I hold hands in public the way I would if I were with a man.
In Tanzania and Ghana however, I had to remain in the closet. At first, I thought there was a chance that I could be open about my sexuality, but I soon realized that for my own safety, it was not a good idea. While I was studying at the University of Dar es Salaam, I had one class in which the professor reminded the students that, "There are no homosexuals in Tanzania, but if there were we would stone them." The class erupted into cheers. Despite this hostility, I did meet people that I knew were gay, and there was a shared understanding between us. I also was able to have good conversations with some of my Tanzanian and Ghanaian friends about homosexuality, and the fact that it's actually not a deviant lifestyle. The open mindedness that I encountered in some people gives me a great deal of hope.
Posted by: Amani at February 4, 2008 10:22 PM