Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I am not a believer.

But, I do protest too much.

I protest at ideals raped, ideas that sound and are beautiful held up to contempt by those who should not be doing so, by those who say they hold them better than I do.

I am no believer, but, I feel for this lady that wrote here.

In truth, I am a naïve, un-serious dreamer. Yet, if I am never to dream, who will dream for me.

I feel for this lady.

Holy Father, I can stay no longer in this Church of Disgust
It is simply not possible, having read the papers or watched the news over the past couple of weeks, to stick with the programme. Like many of my generation, I could hardly be described as a good, or even decent, Catholic, but I'd managed to hang on in there, in the vaguest way imaginable.
Vague because it's hard to pay lip-service to a faith that you feel hates you; a faith that would rather let you die in childbirth than have an abortion, won't let you take the contraception necessary to prevent said abortion, hates gay people despite having many homosexual priests; a faith that talks ignorant nonsense about HIV and Aids, that would rather watch people die in Africa than let them use a condom; a faith that is unbelievably slow to say sorry about the fact that some of its members are habitual rapists of children.
I mean, you know, at some point you just give up. Not one of these things is defensible taken individually. Collectively, they are beyond comprehension.
A faith based on central authority and infallibility must understand that failure immediately to condemn the rape of children — in Ireland, in America, in Austria, in Germany, in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Brazil, so far — is essentially to allow it.
The Irish may have got a letter from the Pope last week, but it's a pitiful drop in an ocean that has turned into a cesspool.

Do I protest too much?

People see me as a stereotype. Gay, thus evil. I am sensitive to it. Of course, I use that very same stereotype to hide what I am, fearful that others will condemn me. So, like other gay people, I tend to re-inforce it. I may be evil of course. It is funny that there is no real consensus about that.

But, I still feel for that lady. Betrayed, looking at life with a bitter eye, asking myself, where can I anchor myself?

Religion? Ha, god forbid!

 

 

gug.

 

PS. By the way, I don't think I am going to celebrate Orombi putting his hand on any petition that condemns the bill like Desmond Tutu did. 

Kind of disappointed. And, wondering how that prank came to be played…. Was a good one, and, it did slip my radar.

The previous post will remain, a reminder, and portent.

I am gay. Of course I am.

I may not be evil- but, I am certainly not perfect. Of course I can do better. But, why not remind myself of the falls as well as the moments of glory? I will not hide, like the Catholic church is doing. I lose nothing by claiming I am human. Actually strengthens me. For the church, the view is that it 'weakens' them. How un-Christ-like!

 

gug

 

 

Hold on a Second! Too good to be true?

The News Today, on the Bill. [Verification ongoing.... Maybe a prank? Hold on!!!!]

I almost cannot believe it. That Orombi and Zac Niringiye have signed this petition against the Bill?

What a Change of Heart!

Here is the Press Release.


Press Release: March 31, 2009
Leading African clergy and civil society groups call on Uganda to stop the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Leading African clergy and prominent individuals, as well as more than 60 civil society and human rights groups from 10 sub-Saharan African countries have endorsed a statement calling on the President, Government and Parliament of Uganda to reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in its entirety.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill provides for severe punishment, inclusive of imprisonment, for those engaging in same sex relations, as well as for members of the public who fail to report such activities to the authorities.  The original draft also provides for the death penalty and life imprisonment.  The Bill has already gone through the first reading in Parliament and is now before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. “We are very concerned that it could become law within a few weeks or months”, said Adrian Jjuuko, Coordinator of Uganda's Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law.
The statement has been endorsed by leading African clergy such as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the Archbishop of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala, the Most Reverend Henry Luke Orombi; the current Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Reverend Dr. Thabo Cecil Makgoba; the Suffragan Bishop of Kampala, the Right Reverend Zac Niringiye; and Bishop Jo Seoka, Bishop of Pretoria. Others endorsing the statement include jurists, academics, truth commissioners and human rights activists. 
In the declaration, the endorsing individuals and organizations reaffirm their commitment to the universality of the human rights of all persons.  They note that “all forms of discrimination, in particular against vulnerable groups, undermine the human dignity of all in Africa”.  The statement declares that the Bill “promotes prejudice and hate and encourages harmful and violent action against marginalized groups in Africa”.
“Civil society organisations throughout Africa are mobilizing to persuade Ugandan Parliamentarians to block this pernicious Bill”, said Godwin Bua, a lawyer with the Refugee Law Project in Kampala.  “If it is passed, even in diluted form, it would constitute a massive setback for human rights in Africa”, Bua said.
The statement calls on African governments and the African Union to call on the President and Government of Uganda to withdraw the Bill and to respect the human rights of all in Uganda, without exception.
The list of individuals and organizations continues to grow and will be updated regularly.  The full list can be viewed at www.ugandans4rights.org and www.alp.org.za.


CALL BY AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY: REJECT THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL

We, the individuals and organisations from African countries listed hereunder, recognise the universality of the human rights of all persons.

We affirm that the right of men and women to have same sex relationships is a fundamental human right.

We are further guided in the knowledge that all forms of discrimination, in particular against vulnerable groups, undermine the human dignity of all in Africa.

We are therefore profoundly disturbed by the nature, content and potential impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (“the Bill”) that was recently tabled in and is currently being considered by the Parliament of Uganda.

We believe that the Bill, if enacted, will cut deeply into the fabric of Ugandan society by–
·        Violating the rights of an already vulnerable and severely stigmatised group of persons by attacking their dignity, privacy and other constitutionally protected rights;
·        Disrupting family and community life by compelling everyone, by the threat of criminal sanction, to report those suspected of engaging in same-sex sexual activity; 
·        Seeking to withdraw Uganda from the family of nations by reneging on the country’s international law obligations;
·        Undermining public health interventions such as HIV prevention, treatment, care and support;
·        Promoting prejudice and hate and encouraging harmful and violent action to be taken against those engaging in same sex relations.
We respectfully call on the Parliament of Uganda to reject the Bill in its entirety. 

We also call on African governments and the African Union to call on the President and Government of Uganda to withdraw the Bill and to respect the human rights of all in Uganda, without exception. 

and then, of course follow s the list of people. Desmond Tutu first. But, Orombi also. Wow!

I have to savour the moment.

gug

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Ssempa and others like him.

You did hear about Uganda’s association of Social Workers coming out to support the bill? They had a very extensive statement. Here. And now, the International Federation of Social Workers has come out with a mild statement of disapproval. It was abuse of their office, of their powers. Apparently, the current chair is almost as rabidly phobic as Ssempa. (Can anyone be like him?) Here is the statement from the International Federation.  So, why did the Uganda federation sign that thing? I would like to know why, but, will I ever know? A matter of internal politics? The rambling sounded like someone like Steven Langa on his hobby horse. But….! Exodus International seems to be falling over its self to reject endorsements of the bill. Don’t know why, but, anybody hazard a guess? [grin]. I am allowed a bit of levity, arent I?

Warren Throckmorton takes on Martin Ssempa. 

Poor Martin. Really poor, bedeviled Martin Ssempa. He is a lie who knows no bounds, when he starts on his lying jig.

Now, you do know that he lies, because I have been hitting out on that again and again. Well, an academician takes on the lies, dissects, scrutinizes and generally takes them apart.
However, Ssempa’s discussion of the 2007 law which included boys in the defilement section of the penal code was confusing. He said to me in November, 2009 on British radio that Ugandan law did not cover boys, when in fact it did at the time he made that statement. On Brown’s show, he did not apologize for misleading people for months, but rather made it seem as though the law was just recently altered to cover boys.
He added that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill may need to be changed to make it clear that it only intends to punish rape and child abuse. However, then he said critics had misrepresented the bill. Just when I thought he was acknowledging that the bill was written in such a way that anyone reading it would see the harshness of it, he then said the bill was being misrepresented.
Regarding Ssempa’s reasons for the bill, I must say that the bill does more than prevent ratification of resolutions, and curtail free speech. Ssempa denied during the show that he wanted the law to bother consenting adults, however, consenting behavior is also criminalized by this bill. Ssempa denied wanting to fuel flames of a witch hunt against gays. However, he has collaborated with Islamic clerics who offered to form squads to round up homosexuals. No words of discouragement to this activity from Ssempa are recorded anywhere.


Why does Ssempa lie?

I do not know.

Why does he really lie? There are many reasons why he shouldn’t, especially when he is going to be caught out. When he lies in Uganda, it is easy for him. Few people believe me, a self confessed homosexual, when I point out his lies. Afterall, he is a pastor. So, how can they believe me over him?

But, when it comes to the international scene, which he has decided to mount and flount his undergarments, he lies. Consistently, constantly. It is funny when he accuses others of lying, or ‘misrepresenting the Bahati Bill. Why does he lie?

I do not know.

What I know is that of the one thing that I can count on is the fact that he is going to use all the force of his charisma to tell a lie when he knows that it is a lie. Period.

Now, I do have to go.

Be well.


gug

Uganda NOT the place for gay People.



Hmmmmmm! Anything new there?

Maybe it is a case of making lemonade from the lemons thrown at us. It is true that the Bahati Bill, Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill has thrown a hard light on the plight of gay Africans.

The Australian delegation raised concerns about draft laws being considered in Uganda that could allow life imprisonment or, in some cases, the death penalty for *** sexuality.
"Sexual orientation or gender identity must never be the basis for discrimination, abuse, criminal action and penalties, detention or imprisonment, or deprivation of any human right," Australia said in a statement with Canada and New Zealand.
For that, we have to be thankful.  I mean, the debate goes on.

But, that bill is still in parliament. And that does worry me.
----

Now, here is another analysis of Christianity and the need for liberal Christian missionaries in Africa as opposed to the conservatives. Seems like Africa is up for grabs.
I am not going to lift any excerpts from the article. Just get to it, and let it stir your thought processes. From my point of view, I am quite ambivalent. We Africans are very, very religious. And, hypocritical with that very same religious thing. Why one religion over another? A scramble for Africa is ongoing. Do I have to take sides? Oh? Of course I will not.

Meanwhile of course, even in Zimbabwe, the opposition and government both believe we homosexuals are the pits.  Politics as usual. Blame the homosexuals. A round up article of Africa says, to the Gallows with them!

Now, I have to go off and sleep.

We had a fight last night. And, I ended up sleeping on the equivalent of the couch… It was so uncomfortable that I didn’t sleep. Suprisingly, even the one who did sleep in the bed says he didn’t sleep, so I wonder what was gained by that?

Anyway, he wants me in bed with him. Which means, I have to hurry up and go make up. Ahem, properly, I mean…!

Let me leave the debate on whether or not I am as bad as some people believe me to be. More important things to take care of at the moment……

Be well!

gug

Monday, March 29, 2010

Religious Hypocrisy

Sorry my religious friends, to jump onto my hobby horse… It is something that kind of irks me, the kind of things that are detailed below.

And, in a way, it is also because I was tired of hearing about the abuse of boys by Catholic priests in the west. Seems as if it confirms the homosexual = paedophile accusation which some people hurl at us.

I know these things happen. I have grown up with the gossip about Catholic priests who are have children with most of the parishioner women. It is taken as a matter of fact. Shrugged off when it occurs. A man, in Africa, is supposed to have children. In and out of wedlock, like dear Zuma, President of South Africa. The small inconvenience of a religious law that demands celibacy, why, there are ways to get around that.

My partner is a devout catholic. Lapsed, true, but he is. Used to love mother Church so much I wondered how he dared to love me too.

Yet it was him who would give me the story of priests and nuns. Consensual and non consensual sex.

He once told me of a parish priest at his home village who had been embarrassed by his former parish. The husbands ganged up and shamed the priest at a mass in church. And, you know what the Church did? The usual, shifted the priest to a new parish.

Why the hypocrisy? That question is mine. Now, let us examine the horrible story of the Catholic church coming out of Africa. And, yes, these are the guys who….

It just hits me in the face, the people who cry out how sick and bad and evil I am, and then, they act in the way that I am accused of acting.

Hypocrites.

 

The Catholic Church in Rome made the extraordinary admission yesterday that it is aware priests from at least 23 countries have been sexually abusing nuns.

The Catholic Church in Rome made the extraordinary admission yesterday that it is aware priests from at least 23 countries have been sexually abusing nuns.

Most of the abuse has occurred in Africa, where priests vowed to celibacy, who previously sought out prostitutes, have preyed on nuns to avoid contracting the Aids virus.
Confidential Vatican reports obtained by the National Catholic Reporter, a weekly magazine in the US, have revealed that members of the Catholic clergy have been exploiting their financial and spiritual authority to gain sexual favours from nuns, particularly those from the Third World who are more likely to be culturally conditioned to be subservient to men.

 
The reports, some of which are recent and some of which have been in circulation for at least seven years, said that such priests had demanded sex in exchange for favours, such as certification to work in a given diocese.

 
In extreme instances, the priests had made nuns pregnant and then encouraged them to have abortions.

 
The US article was based on five documents, which senior women from religious orders and priests have presented to the Vatican over the past decade. They describe a particularly bad situation in Africa. In a continent devastated by Aids, nuns, along with early adolescent girls, are perceived by some as safe sexual targets. The reports said that the church authorities had done little to tackle the problem.

 
The Vatican reports cited countless cases of nuns forced to have sex with priests. Some were obliged to take the pill, others became pregnant and were encouraged to have abortions. In one case in which an African sister was forced to have an abortion, she died during the operation and her aggressor led the funeral mass. Another case involved 29 sisters from the same congregation who all became pregnant to priests in the diocese.

 
The reports said that the cultures in some African countries made it almost impossible for a young woman to disobey an older man, especially one seen as spiritually superior. There were cases of novices who applied to their local priest or bishop for certificates of good Catholic practice that were required for them to pursue their vocation. In return they were made to have sex. Some incidents of sexual abuse allegedly took place almost within the Vatican walls.

 
Certain unscrupulous clerics took advantage of young nuns who were having trouble finding accommodation, writing their essays and funding their theological studies.
-----
One of the most comprehensive documents was compiled by Sister Maura O'Donohue, an Aids co-ordinator for Cafod, the London-based Catholic Fund for Overseas Development.

 
She noted that religious sisters had been identified as "safe" targets for sexual activity. She quotes a case in 1991 of a community superior being approached by priests requesting that the nuns be made available to them for sexual favours.

 
"When the superior refused the priests explained they would otherwise be obliged to go to the village to find women and might thus get Aids."Sister O'Donohue said her initial reaction to what she was told by her fellow religious "was one of shock and disbelief at the magnitude of the problem".

While most of the abuse happened in African countries, Sister O'Donohue reported incidents in 23 countries including India, Ireland, Italy, the Philippines and the United States.

She heard cases of priests encouraging the nuns to take the pill telling them it would prevent HIV. Others "actually encouraged abortion for the sisters" and Catholic hospitals and medical staff reported pressure from priests to carry out terminations for nuns and other young women.

O'Donohue wrote in her report how a vicar in one African diocese had talked "quite openly" about sex, saying that "celibacy in the African context means a priest does not get married, but does not mean he does not have children.
----
More recently, in 1998, Sister Marie McDonald, mother superior of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa, put together a paper entitled The Problem of the Sexual Buse of African Religious in Africa and Rome.

She tabled the document to the Council of 16, made up of delegates of the international association of women's and men's religious communities and the Vatican office responsible for religious life. She noted that a contributing cause was the "conspiracy of silence".

When she addressed bishops on the problem, many of them felt it was disloyal of the sisters to send reports.

"However, the sisters claim they have done so time and time again. Sometimes they were not well received. In some instances they are blamed for what happened. Even when they are listened to sympathetically nothing much seems to be done" One of the most tragic elements that emerges is the fate of the victims. While the offending priests are usually moved or sent away for studies, the women are normally chased out of their religious orders, they are then either to scared to return to their families or are rejected by them. they often finished up as outcasts, or, in a cruel twist of irony, as prostitutes, making a meagre living from an act they had vowed never to do.

 

and, what can an unbeliever like me comment on such a thing?

Why do I even bother?


I asked myself that question. Why do I bother?

Answer is, I am a human being. My world is not perfect, of course it isnt. What I can do to help it get to a better state does matter. And, since I am what has been elected as 'bad' and 'evil', my best role may be in pointing out how hypocritical my accusers are.

Because, they are.

To quote a famous teacher- First take the log out of your eye. You will see better to remove the splinter in mine.

Who says that man wasnt wise?

Be well


gug

Africa; Asking the Hard Questions; the not so simple Questions.


 
Why is it so important for Nigeria, Uganda and now, Malawi to squander public resources in the repression of homosexuals and lesbians citizens within these African nations? It is just astonishing that some African nations focus on the persecution of homosexuals, gays and lesbians, instead of the more important focus on continental development.
Why is it that political and religious leaders in these nations seem to see or interpret homosexual and lesbians sexual preferences and practices as if more of existential threats and or, inimical to the pursuits of health, wealth and happiness than say, malaria, AIDS, unemployment, unclean water, broken and decrepit public infrastructures?
I am a heterosexual male and I do not believe that my sexual preference makes me remarkable.
----
We ought to be able to accept homosexuals, gays and lesbians without making value judgments or some sorts of dogmatic and judgmental moral condemnations of gays and lesbians, based upon or predicated on our moral certainty or religious “superiority”
I am quite at a loss when I listen the vehemence and stridency, with which some Nigerians, some South Africans, some Ugandans, some Malawians etc, talk, discuss, and in fact, attack gays and lesbians within our nations.
Why is it that in the midst of greater challenges, such as suffocating abject poverty, and pervasive-permeating wants in these nations, and yet, some of us, manage to squander our time and efforts, in addressing sexual choices made by grown men and women with mutuality of sexual interests and with affections, derived of knowing and informed consent, permission and mutual authorizations.
------
I am certainly at a total loss as to why for instance, Uganda now is notorious worldwide for contemplating the death penalty or capital punishments for persons engaged in gay and lesbian sexual intercourse? How about the death penalty for those public officials, who demonstrate gross incompetence and or unrivaled ineptitude?
Why would Uganda not start with prescribing the death penalty for corrupt public officials? How about it, if Uganda prescribes public execution for those public officials who mismanage the economies of these African nations? Why the unfounded fears for gays and lesbians?
Why would these African nations not focus punishing those who mismanage public resources? Why would those African nations who hypocritically pretend to be so “morally” upright and concerned with what sorts and forms and styles of sex, and or sexual habits of the Africa citizens? The majority of the economies of the nations on the African continent are perilously close to implosion.
These African nations have no economic growth, they are in fact close to moribund or nearly comatose and yet  these nations are wasting valuable time on debates about gays and lesbians, when in fact, there are many pressing and very desperate situations of hardships and sufferings on the African continent.
-----
Why are sexual pleasures suddenly so important in African politics anyway? Why is the debate and brouhaha about gays and lesbians beclouding the urgent, extremely urgent needful work of economic, social and political development in many African nations? Why is democracy, the rule of law, due process, constitutionalism and all elements of continental advancement
relegated to the back burners?  Why are the frivolities and sexual pleasures, heterosexual, homosexual or gay and lesbian sexual pleasures now front and center, and substitutes for political and economic reforms which are sorely lacking on the continent?

-----

Hmmmm,

the questions go on and on and on. Why, why, why, why Africa?

I also ask the questions. I can hazard the answers. Why is humanity so obsessed with frivolities instead of the major issues affecting them? Mainly, it is a problem with leadership.

It is tough to lead. So, a leader, any leader, anywhere, finds it easier to distract people with things that don’t matter. Because they keep the minds of the Mob off the really important things.

Remember the Games and the Roman Empire.

Why, why, why, why Oh Africa?


gug

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo


Last Updated: March 17, 2010

'Sex is not just about making children,' says Christopher Ssenyonjo

Source: Kaj Hasselriis (www.xtra.ca)

In Uganda, where most queers are too afraid to come out of the closet, straight allies are essential to the gay rights movement but none are as cute, charming or controversial as 78-year-old Anglican Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo.

Just call him Christopher, though. Everyone else does.


The Desmond Tutu lookalike works on the outskirts of Kampala, in a tiny storefront across from a row of shanties. By necessity, Christopher never toils past dark. His office, with a dusty desk and used couch, has no light.

By day, though, this is where the retired bishop persists in doing what first got him into trouble almost 10 years ago counselling queers.

"The attitude of my church is that I should condemn them," he says. "But I refuse."

Bishop Christopher established his one-man counselling service in 1998 and soon after, got his first gay client.

"I listened to him," says Christopher, who never stops smiling. "That was strange for the man. Most people just told homosexuals they should change."

One gay client led to another, until all hell broke loose. In 2001, Uganda's two dozen other bishops including the Archbishop found out Christopher was comforting homosexuals.

While Christopher was on a trip overseas, he was thrown out of the bishop's circle, kicked out of his parish and denied his pension.

"I lost a lot of privileges," he says. He was also pilloried in the press. "I stayed in the US for six months, for fear to come back."

When he did, strangers called him names and his Anglican colleagues shunned him ¡ª even the ones who told him they secretly agreed with his views.

Still, Christopher has no regrets. "God wants me to help oppressed peoples," he insists. "Homosexuals should enjoy all the rights and benefits that heterosexuals enjoy."

For Christopher, that includes marriage a particularly blasphemous point of view in conservative Uganda.

"Sex is not just about making children," he says.

In the fight against Uganda's draconian anti-gay bill, Christopher is a key leader. He speaks out forcefully and articulately at human rights conferences and press conferences, urging people to open their minds and educate themselves about the complexity of human sexuality.

Gay and lesbian Ugandans most of whom are also devout Christians consider Christopher a hero for preaching that God loves them, too.

But Christopher continues to pay a price for his advocacy. His credentials are constantly mocked by those who claim he can no longer call himself a bishop. ("A bishop is a bishop until death," he responds.) His counselling practice has taken a huge financial hit. Whereas he used to see up to 10 clients a day for $2.50 a session he now sees only two or three.

"My counselling has suffered a setback because of fear," he says, pointing to the hand-painted sign out front. "Even my signpost doesn't say the word 'gay'."

Christopher's constant smile suggests that if he's ever discouraged, it never lasts long. "The truth is the truth," he says. "It will take time for people to understand. It might not be in my time, but it will come."

In the meantime, Christopher keeps spreading his religious views ¡ª views that could turn even the most cynical atheist into a believer.

"God is sometimes portrayed as someone who hates and kills," he says. "I've reached another stage of what God is. God is love."

The Waiting Crowd

Frankly, the scenes at Kasubi make me apprehensive.

All my instincts say the Kabaka, the King is a mortal human being. But, the fervour of his subjects denies me that conclusion. It is a little bit frightening.

The crowd was mammoth on Friday. The security forces from the central government were not in attendance. I think the fact that the President had been abused, in public and the anti-government fervour was very much in evidence convinced the government to draw back and let the Kingdom loyalists have their day.

And, they did.

The consequences were not pretty.

Crowd control was not one of the things that the Kingdom could do, or planned to do. 2 dead, and many injured. In a stampede to see the Kabaka, a king who in the crowds estimate is as powerful as any medieval potent e.

Here is another pictorial. All from the Monitor website.



 Waiting crowd. In truth, mammoth. And, was it just 'thousands'?

Kabaka's convoy mobbed.

Paying homage. Religious Leaders



Beginning of the stampede. Crowd breaks down the barriers.


A day for the opposition. Otunnu was stoned on Wednesday. But, Friday, he was a darling.


The King, and the Queen.


Homage, in another way. 



Adulation. On their knees. Hands up, reaching out.


Like in Biblical times, some in the trees.

The Kabaka doesnt speak much. Not traditionaly. But this time there was another constraint. The crowd was surging to see him. Crowd control was non existent. Thank the gods there was no police, because what happened with the President, shooting into the crowd, that would have happened again, I have no doubt.

But, it happened. Stampede. And, at least 2 died.

I dont trust what the New Vision reports. Disinformation in many cases. But, I do think the Daily Monitor is objective. Here is the story.

Be well.


gug

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Martin Ssempa, PhD and Other things. (Including Lemonade from thrown Lemons)

I sincerely love things which make me look Ssempa in the eye and say, wow, here you are, hypocrite.

Now, Ssempa apparently has a Masters in something. Americans call it a 'graduate' degree. And, he also has a doctorate.... The one that he signs like so. Martin Ssempa, PhD.

The guys who gave him the same are having a change of heart? At least, I think they are. Here is a letter from them.

Response to Ugandan Pastor

 Recently, Ugandan pastor Martin Ssempa made statements concerning public policy regarding homosexuals in that nation. Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU) categorically condemns any position that calls for violence against human beings created in the image and likeness of God, or violent solutions to socially controversial issues. While PBU holds to a biblically defined position regarding human sexuality, to call for such action clearly violates the teaching of the Bible, and the principles and practices taught at PBU. Ssempa did earn a graduate degree from PBU in 1994. Ssempa also received an honorary degree from PBU in 2006 for his ministry of compassion to HIV/AIDS victims in his native land. The University was not aware at that time of Ssempa's recently expressed views. His present publicly stated position in no way represents or reflects the views of the University, its administration, or its faculty. It is our sincere hope that Christians would hold their convictions regarding homosexuality with a spirit of grace and compassion toward all human beings.

 

- From the University Administration


Now, now, speaking for myself. We have many other guys who tout the PhDs that others would not. I did once hint at this, but mate, VINDICATION. And, glee of course.

Some of Pastor? Martin Ssempa's examples. Dr. Iddi Amin Dada, (and the rest of the titles). Also Dr. Milton Obote....!

Now, just ask yourself, what does it say of Ssempa PhD, as he signs himself, of him touting an honorary degree like so?????? No. Seriously. The guy is vain, and will take any prop to try and show himself for what he is not. And, incidentally, he will try his level best to pull down any other person. He is vain, and small minded.

Exodus International ran away from Ssempa. But, they had to do it again. Ssempa is a very tricky ally to have. He embarasses his allies. Such hate like his is not Christin. Certainly not Christlike. Or is it? You tell me, Christians!

BUT, Ssempa has some allies. Charles Tuhaise is one such. He has released a statement, saying that it is from the Uganda Association of Social Workers.
Know what, it actually amused me. And, made me writhe, thinking that another Ugandan is showing himself a fool. I feel a little bit better blaming him alone, but I have to note that it is the whole Association which is 'releasing' the statement. It is very, very sad.

I will really wait to see what the world's bodies think of it.
Noticed the commentary above? One called it 1950 psychobabble. Indeed it is. And, here is another disbelieving person. Why are Ugandans so ready to play the fool (like in a Shakespearean Commedy, the king's fool, but not as wise) when it comes to homosexuality? I sincerely dont know. I am a gay Ugandan, but, I am cringing in s
-----

Now, I had the opinion that Robert Mugabe is destroying, or has destroyed Zimbabwe. He has another opinion. That, it is us gay people....! Imagine what terrible destructive powers that we have, we terrible gay people! Destroying Zimbabwe! You know, we stopped blaming the colonialists, the whites, Britain, the US.... Now, the clear and present danger is the homosexuals. And, lest he be left behind, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, sort of agrees.
----

A guy called Ryan at Columbia sees a decided silver lining to the whole Anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. Admittedly, the bill is a piece of nonsense. And, the Gay Porn in Church showing pastor Ssempa in his lunacy has been a huge aid. So, Ryan says, seize the opportunity. Read the article. It is worth reading. An excerpt.

Overall, the Ugandan legislation presents both a singular crisis and opportunity. The US and other Western states should take the lead in getting the UNHRC to pass a resolution promoting the inalienable rights of gay people everywhere.  NGOs should also continue their efforts to keep the Uganda issue beeping on the public radar. Gay individuals and anyone that knows or has just met a gay person should immediately lobby their government to support passage of a gay rights resolution. All these actors must capitalize on the groundswell against the Ugandan bill quickly if the UNHRC is to act on the manner.

Should this occur it is entirely possible, just like Prop 6, hate will receive a mortal blow in Uganda and the bill will be shelved, permanently.  The UN will have also taken a major step in finally coming out of the closet on gay rights, boosting the legitimacy of not just the UNHRC, but also the idea of universal human rights.  Nobody is calling for the ratification of a global gay marriage treaty or some sort of UN pride parade.  Instead, it is merely hoped that a symbolic resolution can be passed supporting gay individuals' most fundamental right, the right to exist.   As Mr. Milk would likely concur, when life throws lemons at you, make lemonade

So, what do you think? Can we make lemonade? It is worth spreading around that idea. The bill is a bit of nonsense. But, that bill has actually scared me out of my complacency.

Now, with that thought in my mind (mind you, I still am waiting for the bill to die, which kind of focuses my attention,), I will sign off for now.

Be well, and a great weekend.


gug

Friday, March 26, 2010

Adulation

I feel…

possessed. To pick the lint out of the air. To write a story, an anthem, a parable.

But, I am constrained as well. It is not my story. The inspiration, the emotion is not mine. I would just be reflecting it, like a mirror, imperfectly because it is fogged.


But, I can write of another love.

yes, because it is love that inspires.

Though mine is not the story, and the confidence of enemies, lovers, rivals and others I have to keep. For my own sake.

 

But, I will write of another love.

Adulation.

Because, I would write of Kasubi.

 

I have grown up in Kampala.

In the middle of Buganda, amongst the Baganda. So, what I am writing about should not be such a surprise to me.

 

But, it is. Yes, it is.

 

In the middle of the city of Kampala are several hilltops. The king of Buganda, the Kabaka owns several of them.

Kasubi is one of them.

 

Home to the remains of the last 4 Kings, which in itself is unusual, it is a cultural site. But, I was not aware of how important it is. Because the king, the current Kabaka has three or four palaces scattered on some of the other hills of the Kampala.

 

Kasubi seemed neglected. A huge grass thatched house, some very elderly ladies who are the official keepers of the shrine. A huge area of prime land, right in the middle of the construction boom of the city. Undeveloped, apparently almost un tendered. But then, my eyes were blinded.

 

Came last Tuesday evening, and the huge grass thatched house caught fire, burning lots of what was inside.

The outpouring of grief was overwhelming.

 

I personally was low because I knew that centuries of culture had been burnt off. But, it was the first time I learnt that it was more than a cultural site. Kasubi is a spiritual site. I should have known.

 

The President is not a Muganda. Not part of the Baganda tribe. And, most telling, he has been having some very public desputes with the current Kabaka. Those culminated in the riots of September.

 

The day after the fire, the President, reportedly against advice, decided to go to the place.

The ire, the rage, the complete contempt in which he was held was displayed. He had a whole crowd of soldiers, armed to the teeth to protect him. They killed at least 3 people.

 

The Kabaka.

He is a middle aged guy, handsome. His lineage is long, and royal. He is the Kabaka.

And, he went to the place.

 

Adulation. Sheer mad love, of a symbol, a person, a human being like a god. Of course his forefathers were considered gods.

 

The kingdom declared 5 days of mourning.

Starting Monday, ending today, Friday. On those five days, the Baganda trekked, many on foot, from the far reaches of the kingdom. To come and pay their respects.

Today, I heard it was decided the police would not enter the sacred circle. The Baganda would mind the security, something which the central government was keen to show it was maintaining, to the ire of the Baganda. For it was like a state of siege. Though the unarmed besieged would take off time to jeer the armed besiegers.

 

In the interests of peace, out the army and police.

And, in the people.

 

The roads to Kasubi were jammed. People on foot. Coming to pay their respects. And, relish the bloody nose they were giving the government.

They marched, they walked, they sang the Buganda anthem. Black clothing, white 'kanzus' without jackets, to signify the mourning. But, urbiquitous, a sign which we all associate with the Baganda, strips of bark cloth adoned parts here and there. Some had whole suits made from them. Others an armband, or a tie, or a hat. But, most all had a strip of backcloth.

 

Adulation.

 

The religious leaders, all of them I believe, came to pay homage.

 

The crowd was packed. Mad, raving, packed.

The beer and alcohol is supposed to flow late. But, the pipes and drugs smoked in the name of different gods were on display. Of course, the few police dared not interfere.

 

Came the time for the Kabaka to get to the place.

Adulation.

 

He could have asked them to lie on the ground and he walks on them. They would have fought for the honour.

 

Adulation.

 

Not the adulation of fear. But, that of love.

Its hard to describe.

 

Its always a very few times that the Kabaka speaks in public. And, he doesn't.

He is a symbol potent, a living, breathing symbol of a group. A piece of history in his genes that he walks around with. Adulation.

 

The Katikiro, the Kingdom's prime minister speaks for the Kabaka. And, that is what happened.

First, ritual cleansing, out of sight. Then prayers. From the clerics in their regalia. Never mind that they knew that the rituals which had just been perfomed were to gods other than the one imported from afar.

 

Then, a few brief words from the Katikkiro.

And, the Kabaka leaves.

The chaos of his leaving. Adulation. People seeking a glance, to be able to say, I saw him.

 

Then, the partying.

 

Such a gathering has lots who have problems. Those who die in the crush, those who are stamped on, those who fail to rise when they fall.

But, to many it is like a joyous death.

 

It is quite likely the partying will continue late into the night. Is good that the officious presence of government was kept to the minimum. I think I did see the Speaker of Parliament on TV. I am not sure, but, I think I did.

 

But, of the others who are so completely identified with the government? That was not the place to be.

 

Adulation.

 

It is amazing. It is a once in a life time thing. The people have the feeling that their very identity is under siege.

The Kabaka represents that, his mortal body the embodiment of that identity. They came out, many believing they would be risking death to come. But, they did.

 

Adulation.

 

On Sunday, the President made an impassioned appeal on TV. Angry, almost bewildered, why was he the one to blame? I thought he shouldn't even ask why. But, as surely as I don't want to go back to the rough, bloody history of the kingdom and kings that I was hearing on TV, I am very thankful for it to be a lesson to any would be dictator.

 

That kind of power, that kind of adulation, that kind of sheer, primeval force of nature, the will of a people united- no, I am for a republic. Not for an emperor. Or a dictator.

 

If one is to aspire for it, I would not be comfortable.

 

 

gug


Kasubi, the Royal Tombs, and other things

Watching live TV of what is happening at Kasubi, …

I think these are the scenes that make the President jealousy? A huge pilgrimage of people. The Baganda going to Kasubi for the last day of the Mourning period.

Of course it has turned into a huge anti-government thing.

Why parse words. The govt has been fighting the interests of that particular group for years now. So, why should they expect to be loved? Certainly, they are not….!

Talking of hate, I have just read a huge write up of the guy who targeted the Kenyan gay people. He is a piece of shit.

Almost as big as Ssempa. Have you read this blog post on Ssempa's antics? Again, it is worth reading. An excerpt.

What perplexes me is that Mr Ssempa regards himself as a Christian. Odd really, since the rhetoric of persecution and segregation represents the very antithesis of Christ's teachings. I would seriously question if this charlatan's been within ten feet of a bible (excepting his mother providing bedtime stories from Leviticus). And (yawn) as with so many fundamentalists, his limited mental faculty is incapable of separating the concepts of homosexuality and paedophilia. Trite, clichéd and downright bizarre, yes, but thanks to people like him, these offensive stereotypes still persist in the world. Worst of all, this twisted logic is being bandied about in the absence of reliable corroborative evidence. But, since when has empirical truth played a part in any superstition?

Why is it that so many extremist religious 'leaders' try to mask the rhetoric of bigotry and inhumanity behind a fallacious banner of righteousness? I mean, doesn't the vast gamut of humankind deserve more than the rantings of didacts who arrogantly imagine that their doctrine supersedes the ethics of compassion, respect and human dignity? More saliently, isn't someone who demonises the eclectic nature of humanity an enemy to humanity at large?

Just read the whole post. It is worth it.

Words are powerful, and dangerous. I was reading a long rebuttal of Desmond Tutu's message on African homophobia… (No, I refuse to link to it, ), and my mind was incredulous, then sad. It is true, at least to me, that many words serve to simply confuse and hide what is true. And, that there are many people who use that trick to hide their hate. Ssempa is one.

Compare Ssempa to Desmond Tutu and you see the difference between a wolf in sheep's clothing, and a true shepherd. Take it or leave it, but the shining wisdom in the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth was not in clever long worded theses. It was, and still is, in short, vivid imagery, living words and actions that shine eternal in the mind.

What I want to say is that, I don't trust people who use long winded words to justify what they do. An action of love is just that. Love. It is the action of hate which takes lots of words to try and explain away as hate.

----

Zuma is in Uganda. And, that is the other news.

Don't know whether he is still slated to bring his homophobic ambassador to be. I love Zuma. So typically 'African' in all our naked lack of sophistication. Political correctness? The president of South Africa seems not to know such language.

I love him because he is the logical challenge to the Bahati's and Steven Langa's of this world. In polite spaces, we bow and listen to the 'traditional family' nonsense of Bahati. But, even taking into account the fact that 'family' can never be uniform, Zuma's is THE typical African family.

He recently got married to his 3rd Wife…. and, did a great dance about it.

And, he also recently publicly acknowledged the birth of his 20th child. Out of wedlock…. No, the child was not born to the 3 women who count themselves Zuma's wives.

What amused me so much was that he was forced to apologize.

Guys, when will we ever grow up? Why does 'political correctness' take precedence over perception? To me that is intellectual dishonesty. Denying what is, because that is not what we want to see. Hey, I do have my opinions. Politically incorrect… but, why not?!

Of course Zuma is homophobic [snort], think I have to shut my mind to that? It is just that, trying to force ourselves not to see what is true of our society doesn't solve anything.

---

A silver lining to the whole anti-gay thing is the focus, and wake up call that has been to most of the world. Hate is, and it has been, all this time. Import or not from America, but it still has been taking a huge toll on what has been happening.

Treatment Action Plan has got it, and they are taking up the call.

"As a continent, Africa is failing to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex individuals---
"Human rights violations and the stigma around HIV and homosexuality reduce access to and uptake of HIV treatment, prevention and care."

The organisation said it was "morally deplorable" for governments to "sanction homophobia", and expressed fears that laws which targeted homosexuals were also counterproductive in the fight against HIV.

have a good day.


gug

A Dream?

Somethings cannot be believed until in actual fact one sees them to be true.

Now, a whisper doing the rounds is that the Rt. Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda (Anglican), and Bishop of Kampala has appended his signature to an anti-Bill petition.

Is it true?

Is it possible?

Well, I will not hold my breath, until I see what it is. I have a healthy fear of churchmen. They act like the Pharisees in the time of Jesus. They say one thing, meaning the exact opposite. Now, if it was Desmond Tutu, I would take him at his word.

No. I would not take the Pope at his windy words. Of that I am sure….!

----

My roving eye was caught by this article. That the US can do better than export its religious hatred. Of course, I agree, wholeheartedly.

America can do better than to export its religious hatred to other countries. As we become more tolerant and accepting of those who are different, let's not leave a legacy of hatred and death in other countries that we have sway over.

And, it is true that condemnation of the bill continues to flow in. The Canadian House of parliament unanimously passed a resolution against the Bill. 

And, there are two pending(?) in Congress in the US.

No, [grin], I know enough of the politics to know that this is not actually about me. But, personally, I am grateful.

Hey, I have not been as garrulous as usual. But, here I leave you with a must-read rant about Ssempa antics. Take the wave, surf, and, I tell you, it is worth your while.

Comrade 27th? I assure you, that is a rant worth reading. I did. To the end. And, I came off laughing and amazed!

 

Be well!

 

 

gug


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sometimes some things just need to be said.

You would think an HIV prevention programme for gay men would not be stopped, dont you think?

Well, think again. Here is a government, in Botswana, Southern Africa, that is doing exactly that. Maybe beetroot and garlic will be back on form as a treatment for HIV. Here is the article.

And, though I may not be perfectly well informed, I think Botswana is one of those Southern African countries which have the highest HIV rates world over. Think of levels of over 20% of the adult population....

Guess those figures are not going to change soon, are they? Speak of thinking with ones head up ones ass. Why are we so generically stupid when something concerns homosexuality? I dont know, but, I will watch that with interest.

From reading the article, I think the paper reports what are facts. The reasons given by the Ministry of Health are so transparently stupid that i wonder why they bothered to have a face saving thing like this. Just take a leaf from Uganda. We are what we are. Period.

What is more interesting is that the fiery anger which used to inflame me when something like this occured has gone down. I accept that people hate, and will always hate me for what I am. Now, what to do is to make sure that I am not blinded by a reciprocal hate. But, I find a way to heal, on my own.

Speaking of heads up assholes, here is an assesment of Uganda's very own Anti-Homosexuality bill, and HIV prevention in the country. Explains it in a way that even I can understand it. Bottom line, in the struggle to kill off Uganda's homosexuals, homos and heteros will die. Period.

But then, it is war. What is the problem with collateral damage?

The mighty Christians at Exodus International have come up with a statement that touches on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of Bahati. Seems like a long time ago, they sent the President a letter. Now, an 'official' statement. Where is the bill, you would like to know? Somewhere in committee. Hanging around, hanging around.

Speaking of bills in the parliament of Uganda, this guy represents the view of quite a few irate Ugandans.

Let Parliament first fight corruption Posted Monday, March 22 2010 at 00:00
I am surprised that government ministers are busy tabling several bills which to me are not a priority. This sometimes makes me wonder whether they are not just redundant.
As the government is wrangling with foreign powers over gay issues, one minister has come up with a Bill aimed to have bars close by10. p.m. and another is expected to come up with Bill that aims at gagging media.
To me, tabling all these Bills is a diversionary tactic by the government. Uganda's number one problem is corruption, number two is still corruption and number three problem remains corruption.
Tema Kafeero,

 I assure you Tema, [grin], you are not the first one to wonder at this Parliament's legislative agenda. Especially at this particular time. Orders from above? We might as well talk about the arson at Kasubi. But then, maybe they dont want us to talk about that also!

Kenya seems to have gone quiet. But, maybe not. LGBT asylum news has an update here. I must say that, my Kenyan friends, though decidedly more violent than Ugandans, seem to have actually intervened meaningfully. Why doesnt such a thing happen in Uganda? With religious leaders actually listening to what is being said by LGBT people? Simple, the government in Kenya is actually working with the gay people, not scapegoating them. In Uganda, if we try to talk to the religious leaders... those guys who would rather believe lies of us... Seen the post about Malawi? Wonder why the Christians who went to educate the Malaw Council of Churches were foreigners?

Speaking of Malawi, the gay couple apparently have a 'case to answer'. Incarcerated for months now. And, just because they loved each other... Sigh....!

Want to hear what the Christians of Uganda think? Here is the the Minister of Ethics and Integrity. The very Christian Buturo. By the way, the Patience Rwabogo that is being talked about is one of the First Daughters. The President's daughter. Religion is tight here. In Uganda. Everyone seems to be into it. Except sinners like me who are also gay. Now, that complicates things.

Now, have a good day.



gug


TO THE DELEGATES OF THE CONSULTATION ON HOMOSEXUALITY ORGANIZED BY THE MALAWI COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (MCC)


 

I received this from the redoubtable Victor Mukasa. Speaking of Un-Christian, Un-Charitable Christians, this is the statement that they would have heard, that they refused to hear.

 

Again, Victor informs me that the delegation from the Catholic Church left the conference as soon as they heard that there were some sinners, homosexuals around. Now, imagine this. It was a conference about homosexuality. It was organized to hear or inform themselves about this. And what happens?

 

Bonafide homosexuals are chased out of the room. A vote took place. And, bye….!

 

Poor Christians. Poor followers of Christ.

 

It is so ridiculously funny that I want to laugh and cry at the same time. Where is the redoubtable love of Christ?

 

Poor Christians indeed.

 

Here is the statement. Below

 

gug

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

It is with great sadness that we write this letter in the hope, that for the sake of the God's compassion and grace, you will take the time to read our testimony which follows here;

 

We came to this conference with grateful hearts to the organizers of the MCC for taking the courage of organizing this dialogue on such a difficult topic.  We were asked to tell something about what LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and intersex) stands for and what we understood with our being gay and transgender. The best way we could have done that would not have been by "instructing papers", but just by telling our stories.

 

We were therefore  grateful for the possibility that we might give our witnesses as fellow Christians on what it means to be gay Christians, especially in the light of the fact that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in Malawi are unable to fulfill this function out of fear of imprisonment and/or out of fear for the church itself. This fear is very real because so often they have suffered under those who proclaim to preach the Word of God but instead make judgmental and prejudiced statements about their lives without ever listening to their stories.

 

When this opportunity for dialogue arrived, we were hoping that the Church shared our understanding of dialogue, that it means creating safe spaces where people of different orientations or opinions can respectfully and without fear become vulnerable to each others' stories and background.

 

We were amazed and often insulted by the level of misconception and lack of understanding on what it means to be homosexual and that some of the delegates treated us as lepers, as if homosexuality is contagious or that we can ever "convert" people to homosexuality. Homosexual orientation is not a CHOICE. Nobody who is sane of mind will ever choose this life of pain, rejection, prejudice and even fear of rape and death.

 

We were saddened that the unconditional Grace and message of love and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ were never mentioned; instead we felt that we were the subjects of severe Bible bashing by those who objected to our "international presence" stereotyping and caricaturing of what they thought were our sinful existence.

 

If we were granted the opportunity to speak about what homosexuality means to us – as the agenda intended, we would have shared with you that we believe our lives not just to be about sexual acts or behavior. Gay and lesbian people are not pedophiles (some heterosexuals as well as homosexuals might be depraved and molest children). We felt that our lives were being dehumanized by talking about us just in sexual terms. We agree with the church worldwide that there are heterosexual acts as well as homosexual acts that are perverse and deprived of all values and norms. But as Christian gay, lesbian and transgender people, we also seek to be followers of Christ. As such, we would have hoped that you would have recognized in us fellow brothers and not international foreign voices that seek to influence you.

 

My story as Victor Mukasa would have been brief and vulnerable. Born as a woman in Uganda, I realized from an early age that my gender identity is not that of a woman but of a man and I experienced this as a mistake of nature that gave me the genitals of a woman, while my hormones, my brain and my whole constitution and self identification has always been that of a man. I would have told you that the T in LGBTI stands for Transgender. I would have also told you, in case you doubt that we use the word "mistake of nature", that intersex people are living proof that such mistakes do happen. Thousands of babies worldwide are born with ambiguous genitals. This means that they have both, almost unidentifiable, male and female organs. So from the outside, it is impossible to say whether they are a man or a woman, and its often the parents, at an early age, that decide that they want this child to be a man or a woman and so they remove one sexual organ and very often thereby condemning this child to be of a gender identity that does not reflect the hormonal or emotional make of that child. This is what I would have told you with regard to gender identity and also about intersex - it is not to be confused with sexual orientation. The majority of gay and lesbian people are happy to be a male or a female and do not want to be the opposite sex regardless of what stereotypes are saying about gay and lesbian people.

 

But much more important than this technical information, I would have told you about the hurt, pain and rejection I suffered at the hands of the Church in this journey trying to find my gender identity. I had no choice in this matter. I nearly lost my faith in a loving God due to this rejection, but I am grateful that I discovered that it is God who made me the way I am and that His grace is sufficient for me. I am personally saddened that those that I look up to for protection and compassion, the Church leaders, are the ones who stated, at the beginning of this conference, that you regard me as your enemy.

 

For me, Pieter Oberholzer, it was sad that I, as an ordained South African Minister, had to be asked as my gay brothers and sisters in Christ from Malawi were too intimidated to do this. We did not volunteer to come, nor did we come as activists. I saw this as an occasion to share my personal journey with God and the Church. I was so sure that  from  you,  as my brothers and sisters in Christ and as ambassadors of God, I would find willing ears and respect for the fact that we are all created in the image of God..

 

I was deeply saddened, insulted and alarmed that fellow brothers and sisters in Christ compared my life to that of the gang rapes of heterosexual men in prisons, adulterers, thieves and prostitutes. I would have shared with you the fact that I struggled for most of my life  with my God to take this orientation away from me. During that struggle, I have never given myself over to "sinful desires" or to a life of "rebellion against God". I was called at the early age of five to serve God and my whole life was geared towards my call. It was a shock of tremendous proportions to discover in my late teens that I was emotionally, spiritually and sexually attracted to people of my own sex. I have tried everything in my power to steer away from that, including, voluntary aversion shock therapy for more than two years, getting engaged to a woman that I did not love (I have never ever been drawn emotionally or sexually to a woman).

 

By the grace of God, I discovered that if my church, the Dutch Reform Church of Southern Africa, could be so wrong in their biblical defense of apartheid, they can also be wrong in their biblical defense of my homosexual orientation. It is only by the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in my life that I came to accept that God created me just the way I am. I am also grateful that God has given me the gift of love in a partner and that I have been, for nearly thirty years, in a loving, respectful relationship with one man. It was therefore my earnest prayer that you as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ would have recognized in my personal journey and witness that I love Christ and want nothing more than to follow Him.

 

Through our stories hopefully you would have discovered that LGBTI Christians cannot be merely defined by Men Having Sex with Men (MSM) or even, for that matter, with any reference to purely sexual acts as our lives testify that homosexual orientation is very similar to heterosexual orientation. We have not chosen our orientation neither are we driven by sexual desires resulting in certain acts. You would have heard from us, as we said in the beginning, that homosexual acts that are not born out of love, responsibility or faithfulness are wrong in our eyes and can be performed by heterosexual as well as homosexual people.

 

We write this letter to you, not because we so desperately want to be heard, but because we believe for the Church to be true to the gospel of love, compassion and hospitality. Now is the time to enter into dialogue with ALL God's children, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. We are saddened that in our experience of the proceedings of yesterday morning, that your fear of us is a dark moment in the history of the Church of Malawi and a sad day for the grace of God.

 

Our prayers go with you and the rest of the proceedings, that you will allow the Holy Spirit to make you channels of hope and compassion to all those in your country that presently are hurting through the rejection by the Church and society while they are desperately seeking the community of the Church.

 

Signed;

 

Victor Mukasa and Reverend Pieter Oberholzer

 

Mangochi, Malawi, 17/March/2010