The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) has drafted this equal rights manifesto in conversation with civil society, cultural and religious leaders from around the continent. It presents the arguments for why equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people are a crucial element of African culture and Christian philosophy, in addition to being a public health and human rights imperative.
Please share your thoughts on this draft with us, which can easily be posted below OR emailed to equalrights4all@arasa.info. Please CLICK HERE to post comments until 14 October 2010. We would appreciate your assistance in disseminating this widely to your friends and networks.African Cultures and Homophobia
Over the next month, we shall integrate these comments before publishing a final version that we shall invite individuals and organisations from across the African region to endorse and make use of. We hope that this manifesto will serve as a tool to catalyse dialogue on equal rights, with a long term view to shifting public opinion and creating a network of organisations and individuals who are committed to supporting equal rights in their communities. A more comprehensive advocacy strategy on equal rights will be developed with partners in the months to come.
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ADD YOUR COMMENT Are same-sex relationships “un-African”? We examine this frequently asserted claim critically in the light of key African philosophies such as “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” – “A person is a person through persons”. We also look at historical records and contemporary experiences of LGBTI in the African region, which suggest that homophobia is in fact the “un-African” phenomenon that was imported with the influx of missionaries in the 19th century. What would Jesus do? The issue of same-sex relationships is one of many controversial matters that arise in relation to Christianity. There might never be consensus on such matters, which often hinge on several verses in the Bible that seem fundamental to some but outdated to others. We pose the question, “ why have LGBTI in particular been singled out for abuse, violence and state-sanctioned hatred – all in the name of a God whose first and foremost law was Love?” The stigma caused by homophobia generates barriers to accessing health services.
“The HIV/AIDS community now has considerable challenges in clarifying and addressing the needs of MSM in sub-Saharan Africa; homosexuality is illegal in most countries, and political and social hostility are endemics. An effective response to HIV/AIDS requires improved strategic information about all risk groups, including MSM. The belated response to MSM with HIV infection needs rapid and sustained national and international commitment...” the Lancet
ADD YOUR COMMENT In numerous regional treaties, African states have affirmed their respect of the right to equality and dignity of all peoples. Most countries have ratified the African Charter on People’s and Human’s Rights. The charter guarantees the “the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination”, which includes the freedom to pursue one’s social development according to whatever policy he or she has chosen.
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