As you know Cypher Avenue is constantly searching the web for interesting subject matter to share with our audience. We came across a video produced by TVC News out of Africa. The video features candid commentary from everyday Africans and their attitudes towards homosexuality. What makes this refreshing is that it is not the usual African video from Uganda filled with hateful speech, outrage, and anger over homosexuality.
This presentation takes us to Nairobi, Nigeria and South Africa where we hear from those “On The Street”. The views here are not expressed by politicians and angry protests but by students and those of a younger generation. There are still many that proclaim homosexuality is wrong or a disorder; however it was still inspiring to hear many young Africans eloquently and logically voicing their thoughts and opinions in favor of homosexuality equality.
The feature pointed out that there were a little over 8 countries in Africa who recognize gay rights but also touched on the many countries where homosexuality is punishable by jail and the challenges that many lesbians and gays face. Some highlights are a short interview with a South African gay couple who have been together for 12 years and we hear from researcher, Diana-Abasi Ibanga who points out some history of homosexuality in Africa and what he feels is a “new” aversion due to the embracing of Christianity.
The last 6 minutes of the video features the new fashion trend of tattooing in Africa and also a 27 year old African entrepreneur from the Democratic Republic of Congo who has created tablets and smart phones. Interesting how narrator Bukunmi Ayo-Ariyo points out that tattooing was once deemed demonic and associated with hoodlums but now it is considered fashionable amongst the youth.
View the video below and feel free to share your thoughts.
OckyDub
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Oh yeah. I’ve seen this documentary a long time ago. I am so happy you guys posted it. I loved seeing how there are youth back home that are open-minded. There will always be people that don’t agree with the lifestyle but I am happy to see more people who are supportive. For example, there is the new law back in my country of Nigeria where if you are caught being associated with LGBT in any shape or form (clubbing, sex, relationship, etc), then you have the possibility of facing anywhere from 10 to 14 years in prison and I think you would have to pay a fine too. It makes me scared at times to go back.
As for the last 6 minutes, I say it goes to show that there is progress in thought. So much back home in African countries is very much based on TRADITION and not CHANGE. I think it is beautiful to see both change and still maintaining certain cultural traditions.
One of my co-workers is from Nigeria and, although I’m not closeted, I’m very selective about who I let into my private life. I didn’t tell him in the beginning specifically because he was Nigerian and I assumed he would be homophobic but he found out anyway and was cool. He’s actually a close associate of mine now. He told me that he doesn’t understand homosexuality but he’s become more open-minded since he arrived in the states 3 years ago. I wonder if gay Africans who are here in the US face the same level of discrimination and judgment from their friends and families as they would back home. Does homophobia dissipate at all when Africans are expats in more liberal countries or do they hide the homophobia.
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What’s going on in Africa with respect to homosexuality is the same that is going on here in the Divided States of America and Caribbean with black people. The fact is we as a people have been brainwashed by whites and Arabs with Christianity and Islam since slavery began. Bantu African tribes didn’t have a problem with homosexuality until we were conquered and forced to worship Yahweh, Jesus, and Allah. We as blacks world wide need to turn our backs on these false middle eastern gods. It’s not all bad though. I am encouraged by the two young bruthas from Memphis (David Harris & Tre’Darrius Anderson) who got married and the bruthas from South Africa (Thoba Sithole & Cameron Modisane) who got married in a tribal ceremony. As more black gay men stop hiding and show that you can be a man and love a man things will change for the better.
Being from Africa, we still have a long way in the whole acceptance of gay people. Only SA has legalized gay marriage. In my country, Zambia, in private most accept gays, but won’t share this view point with the public. Mainly because our laws and constitution condemn not just the act but also promoting it. So most gays can be themselves (flamboyant or feminine) but they just can’t come out.
I can say that Nairobi is improving a bit.
In 2005, I was stopped by police while walking down the street because the Kenya police recognized the dude I was walking with to be gay (he had a reputation as being homosexual).
I threatened the police that I’d get a higher (diplomatic) police force involved. They backed off.
It’s not that bad anymore: the police won’t generally stop a known gay dude for walking down the street. But it doesn’t have to stay “better.”