Africa: Homosexuality Isn't Some Western Invention

One of the current favorite ploys of corrupt and incompetent African rulers who are desperate to distract their ignorant and uneducated populace from the severity of their misrule is to play the gay card and depict homosexuality not only as a threat to "authentic African social norms" but to also claim that it is a western import that has corrupted traditional African society.  The claims, of course, could not be further from the truth and the state the case for the argument that many African countries in actuality were far better off as colonies of European powers than under corrupt, incompetent self-rule.  Further intensifying the poisonous mix has been the propaganda of American Christofascists and charlatans like Scott Lively and Rick Warren.  A piece in The Advocate shines the spotlight on the fact that homosexuality existed in Africa long before the European conquest and that the homophobia we see today is the true western import.  Here are excerpt:

The claim by some African leaders that homosexuality is a Western export — used most recently by Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni to defend his country’s brutish legislation — doesn’t even pass the laugh test. But to get beyond guffaws, it helps to read Boy-Wives and Female Husbands, by Will Roscoe and Stephen O. Murray, published in 1998. The book, which draws in part on older ethnographic studies, catalogues so many varieties of indigenous African homosexuality that it makes the range of Western sexual identities seem positively narrow. The myriad examples of Boy-Wives and Female Husbands suggest that, of the competing forces of homosexuality and homophobia, only the latter could plausibly be an import.

» The Fante people of Ghana believed that people born with heavy souls — of either sex — would desire women, while those with light souls would desire men.

 

» In Akan society, lesbian affairs were “virtually universal”; some women purchased extra-large beds to accommodate multiple partners.

 

» Among the Zande of southwestern Sudan, a warrior who chose to marry a boy paid spears to the boy’s parents, addressing them as gbiore (father-in-law) and negbiore (mother-in-law).

 

» The Ovigangella people of Angola used the term kuzunda to describe a type of mutual masturbation in which the glans are rubbed against each other. “Solitary masturbation is so unfamiliar... that not a single word exists for it.”

 

» In Ashanti society, older boys penetrated younger boys or engaged in reciprocal anal intercourse (known as jigle keton).

 

» The Lovedu people of Lesotho were ruled by queens who were required to take wives and even assembled female harems.

 » In South Africa, migrant workers often took male partners, who became known as “mine wives.”

Homophobia and fundamentalist religious beliefs both rely on the same thing: ignorant populations that can be manipulated by the power hungry be they wearing pastor robes or seeking political advancement.  Sadly, when  individuals like Uganda president Yoweri Museveni make statements like the one noted above they are relying on the ignorance of their own populace but also announcing their own ignorance and stupidity to the world.  In fact, this basic theory applies across the broad be it Vladimir Putin making the foul claims or some fundamentalist pastor someplace in Bumfuck America.

The take away?  The importance of knowing true history and being able to challenge the batshitery of the "godly folk."  As for Museveni, he might just as well have "I'm a fucking moron" tattooed across his forehead.  He makes a trained circus dog appear to be the height of intelligence in comparison.

Russia, Vladimir Putin and The Road To Fascism

As noted in a post on July 10, 2013, over my Florida vacation last month I read the book "In the Garden of Evil" by Erik Larson which recounted the experiences of William E. Dodd, America’s Ambassador to Germany and his family in Third Reich Germany over the four years from 1933 to 1937.  As I said previously, it was both an interesting and disturbing read.  And, given what is happening to gays in Russia currently, the way in which unpopular minorities can be scapegoated and used as a distraction from much more serious issues, the parallels with Putin's Russia are chilling.    That's not to say, however, that some - i.e., American Christofascists - are not exulting the persecution of gays in Russia.  First, a video I came across on Andrew Sullivan's blog concerning the abuse of gays in Russia is all too reminiscent of what was done to Jews under the Nazi regime in the 1930's.  Here is excerpt from Andrew's post and a translation of events in the video above:

Marina Galperina flags the above video, shot today in Russia. It’s a scene reminiscent of fascist states in the early 1930s:

If anyone has any confusion about what Russia’s recently-adopted anti-gay laws do to its public, let me translate some of the audible dialogue in the video above[:] A young man [Gay rights activist Kirill Kalugin] decides to picket in Palace Square. He stands there alone with a rainbow flag, knowingly breaking this summer’s new anti-”gay propaganda” bill. Then, a large group of Airborne service members (striped-tank tops) circle around him and their leader starts the guerilla interrogation.
“What are you doing here on Airborne Army Day?”

“I am picketing,” he says, trying to keep on his feet while being manhandled by the group.

“Well, we do not agree with this and ask you to stop this sort of action and your one-man picket.” They begin to push him around. He falls.

“Oh, look he slipped and fell. Don’t do that,” the soldier says, performatively at the journalists trying to get closer. The man is visibly frightened as the soldiers form a chain around him and began to chant, smacking their fists into their palms.

“CALL THE POLICE ON HIM,” someone jeer. “STAND RIGHT THERE,” a few yell. The police arrive (blue shirts, police hats) and attempt to drag the man out of the circle, so the soldiers move closer, block their access and pushing the cops.

“What the fuck were you thinking, showing up at the Palace Square, faggot?” the leader yells.

“You guys are animals,” the protestor rasps, while another soldier chokes him and shakes him by his neck. As the cops try to remove the illegally protesting young man, the soldiers start shoving them and throwing punches. In the next shot, they encircle the police vehicle — “We’re not going to let them fucking move anywhere.” — after their leader tries to get into the cruiser and drag the protestor out, yelling, “Why are you defending him?!”

Any decent person ought to find the video and what is occurring in Russia deeply disturbing.  But as On Top Magazine notes, many American Christofascists - including elements in the Catholic Church -  are thrilled by the abuse and bigotry being piled on to Russian LGBT individuals with the assistance of the full power of the state:

Scott Lively is among the social conservatives applauding passage of a Russian law which prohibits “gay propaganda” to minors.

Lively held up the legislation as a model for the West: “Victory is still theoretically possible for the pro-family movement in the West if we are willing to pay the price.”

Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, told the AP that he “admired” the law. “We want to let them know they do in fact have support among American NGOs (non-governmental organizations) on social issues,” he said.  

And as Back2Stonewall reports,Peter "Porno Pete" LaBarbera also has jumped onto the bandwagon of   Christofascists praising Russia anti-gay law and the abuse of gays:

“Among others commending Russia’s anti-gay efforts was Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. “Russians do not want to follow America’s reckless and decadent promotion of gender confusion, sexual perversion, and anti-biblical ideologies to youth,” LaBarbera said on his website.  

 As noted before, I find it more difficult every day to define myself as a Christian.  If Lively, La Barbera and Ruse are examples of what being Christian means, I want NOTHING to do with Christianity.  NOTHING at all.

Poll: Gay Bashing by Churches Fuels Americans' Flight from Religion

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One of the ironies is that in their effort to deny LGBT individuals equality not to mention freedom from state sponsored discrimination as exists here in Virginia, the Christofascists claim that gays will destroy civilization and society.   A new poll suggests that the only thing being destroyed is the Christofascists' and religion in general's grip on American society.  And what is hastening religion's decline is the Christofascists and their constant bashing of gays (I'd also add blacks and minorities in the case of hate groups like FRC and The Family Foundation).  That's right, it is the pious folks themselves who are destroying the Christian brand.   Here are highlights from a piece in Huffington Post that looks at the poll findings:

A new poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reveals that a record number of Americans (19.3 percent) have abandoned faith and now consider themselves unaffiliated with any particular religion.

If you want to understand the reasons behind this trend, take a moment to read a disturbing letter that Twin Cities Catholic Archbishop John Nienstedt sent to the mother of a gay son. In it, the holy man told the mother that her "eternal salvation" might depend on whether or not she embraced the anti-gay teachings of the Catholic Church, thus rejecting her own child. Talk about family values!

Such a callous admonition might have worked in the past, when people had little education. It might have resonated in bygone eras, when gays and lesbians were invisible and easy to demonize as the "other." It might have held sway had the Catholic Church's credibility not been left in tatters after the church spent more than $2.5 billion to clean up the wreckage wrought by pedophile priests and their enablers.

While Nienstedt's arrogance and cruelty stands out as particularly odious, it isn't just Catholicism that is in decline. In a world that is increasingly more complicated, with infinite possibilities and pitfalls, as well as seemingly unlimited access to information, the idea that one faith owns absolute truth is a notion that is slowly becoming obsolete.

Religious extremists have long claimed that the acceptance of homosexuality would bring down the fundamentalist church -- and they have been proven correct, albeit not for the reasons they proffered. The downfall occurred not because gay people stopped heterosexuals from reproducing or recruited their children. It didn't happen because LGBT individuals hate families, which they have always been part of. And it didn't happen because homosexuals despised faith; the abundance of deeply religious gay people proves that this is not true.

The fundamentalists undermined their legitimacy by worshiping anti-gay bigotry long after it had been exposed as a false God. In this unholy obsession the sacrifices left bleeding at the altar were truth and justice. When people see their own sons and daughters and friends and co-workers coming out, it creates a crisis of credibility for religious institutions. It leads to countless situations where mean-spirited men like Nienstedt demand blind, irrational obedience and say "take it or leave it" -- and more people are now following their consciences and walking away.

The political coalition of the future is non-dogmatic, mainstream people of faith and the Nones. In the coming decade these two groups will forge bonds and create a dynamic force that rivals the holy-book literalists who presently hold power disproportionate to their numbers. This will be a much-needed correction to the outmoded ideas and celebration of ignorance that is holding back our nation's promise and progress.

Yes, there are many good and decent Christians.  I lease space to the ELCA Bishop of Virginia and I see daily the quiet good works that denomination undertakes.  Sadly, the hate and bigotry of their fundamentalist brethren is what is seen by the younger generations in particular.  To survive, the decent denominations need to stand up and challenge the hate merchants and they need to be more visible in their good works if Christianity is to survive.

Africa's 'First Traditional' Gay Wedding

This blog looks at all the bad things that often face LGBT individuals, much of it driven by hate filled, ignorance embracing religious zealots and the spineless politicians who prostitute themselves to these purveyors of hate and division.  But, from time to time it is nice to look at something positive and down right happy.  Something such as the marriage of Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithol (pictured above) were married in the town of KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  The two 27 year old men  were married in what is being described as a traditional ceremony that united Zulu and Tswana traditions.  On can only imagine the convulsions this must have set off amongst the American Christofascists exporting homophobia to Africa and endeavoring to brainwash Africans into believing that homosexuality is a western world import.   (I find it telling that South Africa is the only nation in Africa that has gay marriage and it is also the only country that isn't a veritable basket case economically and socially - perhaps Uganda could learn a thing or two from South Africa).  Huffington Post and Mambaonline.com both have details.  Here are highlights from HuffPo:

Two men have tied the knot in what's been proclaimed Africa's first traditional gay wedding.  Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithol were reportedly married in the town of KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa before some 200 guests, in a ceremony that united Zulu and Tswana traditions. The newlyweds, both 27, will also have a second, more intimate ceremony in Johannesburg later this year, according to reports.

"The great step that we took in our relationship as a gay couple was introducing each other to our families," Tshepo told Mamba Online in February. "We are so blessed to have supportive families who care about us. Even though we are gay they still love us."

The men say they also hope to have children through a surrogate.   “Family is important to us and that is the number one reason why we want to have children," Thoba said. "We also want our children to grow up in an environment where they are loved greatly by both parents who appreciate them."

More information on the lead up to the ceremony from Mambaonline:

On a continent where homosexuality is often seen as foreign and unnatural Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithole are loudly proclaiming their love for each other. Meet this proudly gay and engaged-to-marry couple who're determined to live and love freely.

The now 27-year-old men first met and became friends while studying in Durban but lost touch after Tshepo returned to Joburg. Thoba, who is originally from KZN, later moved to Gauteng in 2011.

They then bumped into each other at the Sunninghill Virgin Active gym, reigniting their friendship and becoming gym partners; supporting and motivating each other in their workouts. "We were helping each other with weights, training exercises and eating health plans," explains Tshepo.

The chemistry between them grew and they soon realised that they were becoming much more than friends. "We finally made it official and were an item,” says Tshepo.

“The great step that we took in our relationship as a gay couple was introducing each other to our families. We are so blessed to have supportive families who care about us. Even though we are gay they still love us."

The relationship strengthened and, one Friday evening at home in June last year, Tshepo proposed to Thoba. He accepted and the couple decided to do things the African way; respecting the traditions and customs associated with marriage.

"We communicated our intentions to get married to both our families as we wanted to have a traditional African ceremony and also have a traditional Western 'fairytale white wedding,’” explains Thoba.

With their families’ support, the couple have set the date of 6 April to have the African ceremony in Thoba’s hometown of Stanger. They expect over 200 guests and the guys will dress in their respective traditional clothing (Tshepo is Tswana and Thoba is Zulu).

Here's a video clip:

Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill Passes Parliamentary Committee

As noted in previous posts, the government of Uganda is one of the most corrupt in the world.  Now, in an attempt to distract the ignorant and largely illiterate population from the real cause of the nation's basket case status - i.e., the legislators themselves - and to  do the bidding of American Christofascists busy exporting anti-gay hate and ignorance to Africa, a committee of the ethically, morally and mentally bankrupt Ugandan Parliament has approved the so called "kill the gays bill" and moved the measure forward towards consideration by the full Parliament.   Towleroad has coverage on this disgusting development. Here are highlights:

[T]he bill passed a Parliamentary committee today, sending it to the next level of votes. Though the call for gay people to be executed has been removed from the hideously hateful measure, there bill still includes a life imprisonment request.

According to Uganda’s NTV network – as tweeted by Frank Mugisha (@frankmugisha), director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) – an unnamed member of the committee confirmed that a penalty of life imprisonment has remained in the bill in place of execution.
While sexual relations between members of the same sex are already illegal in Uganda, if the bill becomes law it will be among the world’s harshest against gay people. NTV reports that the bill should receive floor debate next week.

Religious leaders in Uganda have been putting intense pressure on politicians to pass the long-lingering law there and asked this week for Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to get the bill made into law as a "Christmas gift".

As I have noted many times before, conservative Christianity is one of the most foul influences in the world today (fundamentalist Islam vies for a similar designation) and is a threat to constitutional government and human rights across the globe.  The sooner it is a dead religion, the better off the world will be.

Uganda Parliament Speaker Demands Anti-Gay Bill Be Brought to Vote

By almost any measure, the country of Uganda is one of the armpits of the world despite many natural resources and spectacular natural beauty.  Here are a few facts via Wikipedia on the state of Uganda:

Corruption Uganda is rated among countries perceived as very corrupt by Transparency International. It is rated at 2.4 on a scale from 0 (perceived as most corrupt) to 10 (perceived as clean).

Economy For decades, Uganda's economy suffered from devastating economic policies and instability, leaving Uganda as one of the world's poorest countries.

Child Labor Child labor is common in Uganda. Many child workers are active in agriculture. Children who work on tobacco farms in Uganda are exposed to health hazards. Child domestic servants in Uganda risk sexual abuse. Trafficking of children occurs.

Poverty Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 37.7 percent of the population living on less than $1.25 a day.

Education  Illiteracy is common in Uganda, particularly amongst females.

As I said, the country is a veritable hell hole albeit in scenic surroundings.  So what are many in the government obsessed over?  Gays, of course.  Largely due to the efforts of American Christofascists who have worked diligently to export their poisonous version of Christianity to Africa.  Now, there is a renewed push to pass anti-gay legislation that would in some cases carry the death penalty.   Box Turtle Bulletin has a detailed analysis of the proposed bill here.  A more general overview is also provided and here are some excerpts:

Daily Monitor, Uganda’s largest independent newspaper, today reports that Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has demanded that Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee bring Anti-Homosexuality Bill to the House floor for debate and a vote by next Tuesday:

The committee chairperson, Mr Stephen Tashobya, passed on Ms Rebecca Kadaga’s directive to committee members yesterday as he summoned them to attend next week’s session in person “to have the Bill concluded”.

In her November 13 letter, the Speaker advised Mr Tashobya to be mindful of what she said was the high demand by the public to address homosexuality.

“I write to reiterate my earlier instruction to your committee to expeditiously handle the review of the report on the Bill. As you are aware, there is high demand by the population to address the escalating problem of promoting and recruiting minors into homosexuality,” the letter reads in part.

On Monday, Kadaga called for the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which still includes a death penalty for gay people under certain circumstances, to be brought to a vote and passed within two weeks. 

Utterly corrupt and opportunistic politicians and hate filled Christofascists are the moving force behind this anti-gay witch hunt.  I hate to say it, but Uganda may well have better far better off as a British colony than it is under the rule of the corrupt, ignorant and deranged people now in charge.  If anyone deserves the death penalty, it is more likely much of the current political leadership like Rebecca Kadaga (pictured above) which continues to rape and pillage the country.