Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Gay Closet; Uganda, and Germany

They've had a journalist infiltrate the Kampala gay community to try and ferret out what makes gay boys tick. It's not the first time this sort of thing has happened and the only thing that sets it apart is that this journalist has made a clumsy attempt to be balanced. That said, this journalist simply knows too much about the gay community for me to believe that he didn't get embedded deeper than he admits.And that is a great cause for discomfort.
The tactics the journalist are pretty basic and that he seems to be so successful merely attests to the humanity in all of us. But it is also a wake-up call for those Ugandan gay boys who seem unable to take the simplest precautions in this day and age when stalkers, blackmailers and malevolent people are on the prowl, with gay boys and girls as their target.
~
Indeed, for guys who are under pressure, the pressure of one of the most homophobic countries in the world, it is simply too easy to infiltrate us. And, it is possible.

Oh well....

To my friends out there, I must confess I am more paranoid than lots of people. I mean, I have aided connection and lessening of our isolation in more than one way. Yet I continue to be anonymous. I am gayuganda, gug. And that is who I want to be. Gay, and closeted, and damned shy! Some have more to lose than others. Maybe I am just a coward.

Yes, I know lots of people know who I am. But, not to the extent of opening up to people like in this journalist's expose.
Within a period of three weeks, I learnt that gay relationships are almost like straight ones. Those involved charm, seduce, deceive, try to manipulate with money and even plead with whoever they are interested in to give into them and yes, they also get cheated on It was a hot Tuesday morning and I was seated in front of my computer reading an online article about gays in Uganda. The page had a link to a website called icebreakersuganda.org.
I clicked on it out of curiosity. It is probably one of the boldest gay things I have seen in this country. It’s a website that encourages gay people to come out and embrace their sexuality (thus the name icebreaker) and it connects gay people in Uganda. The website has a guestbook link where visitors of the site can update any comments or ideas on their mind about the website.
However, most of the comments posted on the website’s guestbook are announcements of gay people who want to meet other gays for mere company, sex or love. Consequently, this segment of the website has been turned into a “lonely hearts” of sorts for gay people. Some of the posted messages are darkly explicit and complete with e-mail addresses and phone numbers.
One of the posted messages on the website was an announcement for a gay party of sorts. It had a phone number attached to it.
Gay, in the closet, in Uganda? Why the recklessness of those who are gay in Uganda?

Because it is very hard to live in self denial; and sometimes recklessness takes the place of despair.

I was mourning about the closet in Uganda. We are not alone. The German national team, the one which did so well in the World Cup of football? Well, they are a 'bunch of gays' Ha ha ha ha ha!
I am not alone in my woes about the goodness of the closet. Says one former manager of the Bundesliga-
The whole issue of gay players in the Bundesliga is a sensitive issue in Germany. In March former football manager Rudi Assauer provoked outrage outrage by saying there is ‘no place' for gay players in football.
Assauer, who was boss of Schalke in Germany, said: "Perhaps they are OK in other sports but not in football.
"If a player came to me and said he was gay I would say to him: 'You have shown courage.' But then I would tell him to find something else to do.
"That's because those who out themselves always end up busted by it, ridiculed by their fellow players and by people in the stands. We should spare them these witch-hunts."
His outburst is set to enrage world footballing authorities who are making concerted efforts to rid the game of homophobia.
Asked whether he had ever met a gay footballer during his many years as both player and manager, 65-year-old Assauer replied: "No, never.”
Ugh, of course German football is so holy a spot that no gay people make their way into that holy of holies. Self deception at its best


gug

37 comments:

F Young said...

"Well, they are a 'bunch of gays'"

Gug, that link is incorrect. I assume you meant:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/13/germany-footballers-gay-michael-becker
or
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,706012,00.html

Jean-Paul, Canada said...

Christian and Muslim fundamentalist thinking versus the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Uganda.

Or, in other words, Uganda is dominated by the mentally ill (homophobia is a mental illness that can be cured.)

You said:

"Because it is very hard to live in self denial; and sometimes recklessness takes the place of despair."

Yes; so true. 40 years ago in New York City, the Stonewall Riots were reckless and it turned the country around.

People like Desmond Tutu have intervened admirably; and I truly hope their voices are heard over and over again.

Anonymous said...

I don't know whether you can access this documentary, it was shown in the UK (it might not be available from outside of the UK):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyEFfL9GbRw

It's by Sorious Samura. It explores homophobic persecution in Africa, including Uganda and the role of US evangelicals.

I'd be very interested in your thoughts on it.

Princess said...

It totally sounds like you could have been 'Moses.' :P

andy said...

@Jean-Paul, You say
"...in other words, Uganda is dominated by the mentally ill (homophobia is a mental illness that can be cured.)"

I think that is an insult to Ugandans...
Ugandans know their values and are able to stand for them.
That's why homosexuality will not find a place.

spiralx said...

No they don't. They follow what they're told (or have shouted at them in rallies. They're mostly utterly ignorant of anything to do with the facts of sexual orientation. Like most people, really.

But because they don't think for themselves, or have any way of finding things out, they can be manipulated, lied to, cheated and exploited.

And that's why Jean-Paul has a point. Even if that's not the usual definition of mental illness. (More like mental incapacity. On the part of the herders as well as the sheep).

Leonard said...

gug, I´ve been thinking about you...hope all is well and you and yours are tucked safetly in your bed as I write this (about to tumble into mine). Abrazos fuerte, Leonardo Ricardo

say what? said...
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say what? said...

Banange Gug, I am starting to worry, are you ok? its been over a fortnight already...

F Young said...

Gug, it's been 18 days since you last posted. This is your longest interruption since the 22 day interruption in May 2009.

Please post or email to confirm you're okay.

Leonard said...

Thinking of you...be careful, I trust this ¨interruption¨ is for very good reason...therefore, thoughts for your good health and well-being go forward each day.

Leonardo Ricardo

Leonard said...

ATTENTION ANGLICAN AFRICAN BISHOPS CONFERENCE--How is the Anglican Church in Africa

¨spearheading and participating in global initiatives that seek to address the threats to human dignity?

Bishops of the Anglican Communion from over 400 dioceses in Africa are expected together with the Archbishop of Canterbury. A one-week All African Bishops' Conference (AABC) will take place in Uganda from August 23 to 29--Venue:

Imperial Resort Beach Hotel
PO Box 895, Entebbe, Uganda
Telephone: +256 (0) 414 303000
Fax: +256 (0) 414 303333
Web: www.imperialhotels.co.ug/impresortbeachoverview.html

Leonard said...

CONTACTS FOR ANGLICAN BISHOPS CONFERENCE AUGUST 23-29 at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe

Organizer's Contact Information
Uganda Coordination Office
Provincial Headquarters

Church Of Uganda
Namirembe Hill, Kampala

P.O. Box 14123

Tel : +256-77-283 7323

E-mail: cousecretariat@gmail.com

Website: www.churchofuganda.org

Organizers' Contact Information
Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA)
Rev. Canon Grace Kaiso

CAPA House Kilimani,

Off Wood Avenue, Komo Lane

P O Box 10329-00100 Nairobi

Tel: +254 20 387 3700

Tel: +254 20 387 3283

Fax: +245 20 387 0876

E-Mail: gracekaiso@gmail.com

DEMAND THAT THE ANGLICANS BISHOPS LIVE UP TO THEIR CONFERENCE PROMISE:

¨spearheading and participating in global initiatives that seek to address the threats to human dignity?

Leonard said...

WEBSITE FOR ¨Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa¨

http://www.africanbishops.org/

(read it all)

Leonard said...

WHERE is gug?

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is expected to make the OPENING ADDRESS to the ANGLICAN BISHOPS CONFERENCE on AUGUST 23, 2010!

WHERE is gug?

Leonard said...

The Council for Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) will convene the 2nd All Africa Bishops Conference (AABC) from the 23rd – 29th August 2010 at the Imperial Resort Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda.

The conference brings together Bishops from 400 dioceses in Burundi, Central Africa, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Tanzania, Egypt and Uganda.

The current Chair of CAPA is Arcbishop Ian Ernerst of the Province of Indian Ocean...

http://www.africanbishops.org/

WHERE is gug?

Leonard said...

Archbishop Of Canterbury Attending

It has been confirmed that the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams, will be at the conference.

Dr. Rowans is scheduled to preach at the opening service on Tuesday August 24, 2010 at 09:00 AM local time.

This will be the first time that the Head of the Anglican Communion is visting Uganda since he bacme primate in 2002.

(Where is gug?)

Leonard said...

Note: There are offers to ¨have your say¨ from the Conference Organizers...I wouldn´t hold my breath as Archbishop Orombi/Uganda isn´t a good listener but here is the ¨alledged¨ offer to have your VIEWS HEARD:

Participate - Have your say!

This conference is about you. So please have your views heard. You can participate in a number of of ways:

Civil Society Organizations:
Organisations or individuals interested contact: Sheila on +256-776-226-622 or email cousecretariat@gmail.com

Share your thoughts
SMS your thoughts/views to the organisers as follows:

SMS COU [space] [your view] send to 8918

Exhibition Opportunity
Organisations or individuals interested contact: Sheila on +256-776-226-622 or email cousecretariat@gmail.com

Where is gug?

No name said...

Where is gug, indeed? I drop by everyday to find he hasn't posted! ;-(.

But I also comment to respond to the fifth commenter Andy who says: "Ugandans know their values and are able to stand for them.
That's why homosexuality will not find a place."

I am a Ugandan, Andy, as is gug. My primary value is empathy towards all; I admire gug's relationship and wish him happiness and freedom to love who he pleases.

When you say homosexuality will not find a place, I merely shake my head in sadness. I hope you will never find yourself tasked to explain and defend your 'straightness'.

Leonard said...

Where is gug? What has become of gug? Is gug in harms way after being threatened here by ¨anonymous¨ cowards?

Anonymous said...

Sweetie
why is your profile picture a naked guy... 1st time on your site coming from GNM (also first time there), and my own stereotypical ideas are just being challenged and am gaining new respect for a sector I have never spent alot of time contemplating - but your profile pic?
It seems to reinforce the sexual part (stereotypical), not just a person, a man...
Well, I am getting educated at any rate.

Take care, Lily

Leon Koh said...

we should all stop call each other names and live to accept each of us is different and allowed to be different

Leon
Gay from singapore
http://hanleong.blogspot.com

Princess said...

Leonard. GUG says he is alright. He will be back soon.

Leonard said...

Thanks Princess...

gentle lamb said...

Hi GUG/ Gay Uganda,

Enjoyed reading your blog.

Take care and God bless

Random said...

@ Princess, thanks for that information. Many of us are worried. Our kind regards to him.

Marion said...

@ princess, I also thank you for the information. Lets all wait for Him!!

Peter Leeson said...

2 months already without news... Hope that you are really alright, as Princess says. We are all thinking of you...

Muscle Chat said...

guys check this out... please click the link below

Gay Chat

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Unknown said...

Please post something soon! I hope that you are doing well. I found this blog because I, as an American, have learned that some of our clergy have decided to make Uganda into a "Christian nation," and in doing so, they've exported homophobia. These alleged American Christians have decided that they can't make the US into a homophobic theocracy, so they're using Uganda as a social experiment.

I hope that you can visit the USA someday if you haven't already! There are some places like NYC, San Francisco and my home town Washington DC where you'd fit in like glove, lol.

Leonard said...

Now I´m getting spooked...I wrote a comment here and it disappeared.

Leonard said...

RUB A DUB DUB: Are unprincipled and dangerous fellows in Uganda being ¨turned out/away¨ by President Museveni?

http://leonardoricardosanto.blogspot.com/2010/09/rub-dub-dub-are-unprincipled-and-crafty.html

Leonard said...

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU:

PURITY CULTS: Selfproclaimed ¨Godliness¨ and ¨Sexual Purity¨ at The Anglican Communion and beyond. Part Four, ¨Perfectly Good Spirit¨ Archbishop Tutu

http://leonardoricardosanto.blogspot.com/2009/01/purity-cults-selfproclaimed-godliness_16.html

Leonard said...

BISHOP CHRISTOPHER SSENYONJO, Uganda: ¨Spiritual mentor, pastor, and guide--at great cost to his reputation and security--inspires ALL¨

http://leonardoricardosanto.blogspot.com/2010/08/bishop-christopher-ssenyonjo-uganda.html

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