Ghana Anti-Homosexuality Bill, What does it say?

I am a Ugandan.., one of the lessons I have learnt with my country’s endless debates about my poor, personal sexuality is that details and specifics are important. Boring but important. Partly because I have to expect a lot of parsing, and frank lies, in the debate about homosexuality.
Not from me…, which is the whole problem. I expect the nasty, dirty, bad and evil homosexual to lie. Not the Saints of Anti-Homosexuality in Holy Africa.
But, I digress.

The anti-homosexuality bill in Ghana’s Parliament is a Private Member’s Bill that was introduced by Member of Parliament Sam Nartey George in 2022. Ghanaians being very proper people, the proper name for the bill is:

 

““Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022””

 

The aims of this anti-LGBTQ+ legislation are not hidden…, if they are, it is in plain sight. Same sex intercourse is already criminalised in Ghana. So, this is ‘enhancement’ of the criminalisation sought. Here is a proper summary picked from a Ghanaian publication

 

 “The bill, when passed into law, seeks to provide a proper framework to sanitizing the Ghanaian society of the practices and ills of the LGBTQ+ community.”

and specifically

“aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, prohibit the promotion or advocacy of such activities, and ensure the protection and support of children and individuals affected by LGBTQ+ issues.”

 

July 5^th, 2023 was the 2^nd reading of the Bill. And apparently amendments were made and accepted to the original. The amendments were approved to the original text unanimously.

 

““.., approved by all 275 lawmakers (present) on Wednesday after months of public debate and revisions to the 36-page document, introduced in 2021.””

 

The bill needs a third reading, and then accent by the President of the Republic to become the law of Ghana as reported here.

 

 “For it to come into force, it must still pass at least a third reading in the House and be signed into law by Ghanaian President”

 

So, what details, what does this newer anti-homosexuality legislation in Ghana say should be done?
I don’t have the text, so I had the pick of articles available, and remember, this was the second reading, not the final bill assented to by the Parliament of Ghana.

Details, details please;

·         Identity is criminalised.., I remember that was also in the original Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 in Uganda. To identify as homosexual is criminalised…!

“.., amendment to an anti-gay bill that would make identifying as LGBT punishable by a three-year prison sentence. “

·         Advocacy is criminalised. Why do the evil homosexuals need any sort of advocacy? This should be the dreaded ‘promotion of homosexuality’. Would be quite interesting to read the text.

“People who campaign for LGBT rights could also face up to 10 years in jail.”

 

·         Conversion therapy is in…, poor gay Ghanaians.

““… also validates "conversion therapy"”

 

And more to come.

·         criminalizes any form of LGBTIQ+ activism or support, as well as the dissemination of information.

·         It will punish homosexuals with a three-year prison sentence for identifying as such,
while LGBTQI+ rights advocates would face up to ten years in prison.

·         limits the provision of health services to this community, such as medication to treat HIV.

·         The proposed law encourages citizens to report neighbors who engage in homosexual relations to the authorities.

 

That is a quite substantive laundry list of demands of the law… Poor Ghanaian Kuchus, indeed.
I have also seen reference to this weird, more than weird provision.

 

“Moreover, the bill seeks to withdraw health services from this community, including HIV medication.”

 

That would be interesting. Ghanaians would rather have HIV spread rampart than have LGBTQ+ Ghanaians getting prevention, treatment and care?

Weird indeed.
But there are Ugandans, prominent and virulent anti-gay activists who would rather have had no HIV/AIDS aid from the US, if that was to be balanced against their anti-homosexuality bill. Of course it is more than likely those were not amongst the 1,2 Million Ugandans living with HIV. Anti-gay advocates are really fanatical about their demands.

 

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Toxic Environment: Kuchu in Uganda, Africa.

 

Without a doubt, for a Kuchu (LGBTQ+) individual living in Uganda, and pretty much of Africa, the environment is quite toxic.
We discount it.., a matter of personal safety, physical and personal mental health. We have to grow calluses to our sensitivity. We have to have skin the thickness of crocodile hide to weather the hate and toxicity around. When the state and its politicians, church and mosque, and every influencer of note preach firmly the belief that we kuchus are horrible people, it is simply a wonder if and when we don’t start believing the same.

Of course we are human beings. We, kuchus inhale the poison and toxicity. We are insane in our sanity. We internalise the homophobia. That is a matter of fact.

Stephen Fry, prominent British comedian, had reason to visit Uganda during the hysteria surrounding the Anti-Homosexual Act 2014. He met and talked to Simon Lokodo in 2012, then Uganda’s Minister for ‘Ethics and Integrity’, and prominent, official anti-gay activist..., and Stephen Fry went back to his hotel room and attempted to commit suicide.
An adult LGBTQ+ individual, from a country and environment that accepts people of differing sexualities. Fry just had a whiff of the air in Uganda…, and he was lucky he survived. True, he leaves with bipolar disorder, which most likely made our daily lived reality precipitate, for him. It was reported

 

“he was prompted to attempt suicide after conducting a television interview with Uganda’s minister for Ethics and Integrity, Simon Lokodo, in 2012. “[He] was a foaming, frothing homophobe of the worst kind [and] behind the bill in Uganda that was supposed to make homosexuality a capital offence, in other words a death sentence,” says Fry”

 

And the ‘foaming, frothing homophobe’ is a literal and accurate description of many of Uganda’s anti-gay activists, including the churchmen Martin Ssempa and Stephen Kaziira, and the politicians of course.

Wonder how damaged we kuchus on the ground are, in comparison?
Oh yes. We are damaged individuals. We wouldn’t be human, to live in this toxic environment and come out sparkling. We are simply human.

Wonder what effect that reality has on the children, teens questioning, discovering their sexuality?
Well, we are damaged…, But, that is life. We have to bear with it. Yeah, quite a few die, by suicide and otherwise. And of course we hide, however we can. That is the basic of survival, as and when one can.

Why the introspection?

An article in the Monitor newspaper. A guest writer, Reverend Gideon Byamugisha. He is a churchman. And, as a person living with HIV, he shattered perceptions when he came out positive, saying he had HIV. Put a face to the virus, confronted the prejudice, in and out of the church… And apparently he remembered. And remembers.

The article.
Yes, it has a lot of issues…, Reverend Gideon Byamugisha happens to be a Ugandan, and he believes quite a number of myths and prejudices that are taken as truth in Uganda. But, he also comes from a time and space that is intimately conversant with the might and cruelty of majority prejudice.

A simple breath of less polluted air, in the toxicity of ‘debate’ in Uganda about my sexuality.
It is not enough. We need a cleansing wind to remove the fog and smog. But, we don’t have winds in the foulness of air in Uganda. We only can celebrate this little breeze.

To contrast, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda is calling for a Crusade, Africans to ‘evangelise’ the world.., presumably with the gospel against homosexuality. Should we be thankful he is not yet calling for a pogrom?
The Moslems think us beneath the notice of a Jihad, thankfully. At least that is what I hope. The President of the Republic believes Uganda should lead Africa to save the world from homosexuality.

How astonishing, and embracing, for a churchman, a Ugandan, living in Uganda, to come out and assert that “Anti-gay anger is neither Christian nor African”.

Breath of fresh air, in a toxic smog indeed.

 

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Celebrations in Uganda; the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 is now law

 

Living and working day to day in Uganda as a gay Ugandan, it is quite easy to forget how popular anti-gay sentiment and outright homophobia is in Uganda.
We kuchus are Ugandans. We live and work in Uganda, with other Ugandans. Of course we discreetly run away from the whole thing about our sexuality. No need to stir hot waters that one knows are quite deep and dangerous. We persevere, live as we are, and forget the constant nag of prevalent homophobia…, just shrug and bear what we can.

But now..,

A frenzy of celebration. Especially with the ‘Martyrs’ Day Weekend.

The politicians are taking a victory lap over the last week. Asumani Basalirwa held a press conference, deliriously happy. A demonstration of students from a number of universities was allowed to parliament to congratulate him. Usually they are met with tear gas and police blows. They were given a red carpet through the streets.

And the President. Poor Mzee.
He spouts nonsense about the gay gene, gay conversion therapy and I am like, gosh. Cringe worth. And, get this…, his absurd statements have an international audience. Africa, led by Uganda, is going to save the world fromHomosexuality…, believe it or not.
How come we Ugandans can be so absurdly ignorant about a subject like sex? It is not only homosexuality…, it is the whole sex and sexuality thing. Steeped in ignorance, we hold up stupidities as gods ordained relevancies.

Goodness, it is 2023, and the President of the country is spouting nonsense about sexuality?!
I get it that he is a grandfather, but…,

In any case, the Churches are happy. Their ‘gift’ of the anti-homosexuality act is the law of the country. They have to make as much political capital of it as possible.., hey that is life. Political capital, you make it as and when it is possible. And for the likes of anti-gay activists like Ssempa… it is heaven on earth. His popularity as a talk show guest is through the roof.

Poor Uganda. If it was not my life and liberty that was at stake because of this ignorance, I would be really miffed. Ignorant, prejudiced to the point they will not allow any facts to dent that armour of their ignorance. And, very, very proud of it.

Gracious heavens, Ugandans actually believe that their homophobia adds to their worth!

 

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Food for Thought

Going through some old mail of mine, I came across this article.

Eliminating homosexuality: Nazi Germany and Modern Uganda

It is interesting, and disturbing. Its is old, in this age of internet publishing. But it is kind thought provoking. The "State of Homo-hate" that Ssempa and Buturo and Co. have managed to engineer these days in Uganda is disturbing. To us homosexuals of course. To others it may appear like it is nothing, just those homos getting their just deserts.

This is a disturbing historical parallel. Worth a read, and of course worth posting here!

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There is something touching about Christians coming out and standing against overt homophobia that is disguised as ‘God’s Love’.

It is a better ministry than we un-believers shouting our heads off about the huge log in Christian eyes.

 

Uh! Got you…

 

So, what has made me to start channeling charity to Christians? This article.

Christians must reflect after UK bars U.S. anti-gay preacher

Posted by: Avril Ormsby

The British government has done its bit and barred an American anti-gay Christian preacher and his daughter from entering the country - now it’s up to churches to do theirs, a group of evangelical Christians says.

The Reverend Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper, were barred from entering Britain after it emerged they planned to protest against a play about the murder of a gay man.

The reverend picketed the funeral of the student in the U.S. declaring he was “burning in hell” and has staged protests outside theatres.

Phelps believes the U.S. is doomed for tolerating homosexuals. The government last week said the pair were anticipated to spread “extremism and hatred”.

Six major British Christian groups, among them the Evangelical Alliance and the Baptist Union (which is not associated with Phelps’ church), issued a statement condemning the proposed visit.

 

“We do not share their hatred of lesbian and gay people,” they said.

“We believe that God loves all, irrespective of sexual orientation, and we unreservedly stand against their message of hate toward those communities.”

But a group of evangelical groups said Christians had to do more than just condemn with words. They had to face up to their own discriminatory policies and behaviour.

 

“The real challenge to evangelicals is to face the need for change themselves,” a group which includes Accepting Evangelicals, Courage and the Network of Baptists Affirming Lesbian and Gay Christians, says.

“This means: engaging more fully and openly with lesbian and gay Christians and accepting them as equal under God; examining the way prejudice against gay people has distorted biblical understanding; prayerfully re-thinking church policies of exclusion and acknowledging the harm they cause; and recognising the growing number of evangelicals who have had a heart-change and now affirm faithful gay relationships.”

Others signing the joint statement are the Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians and the Christian think-tank Ekklesia.

 

They said they recognised a growing trend, nationally and internationally, among evangelicals to challenge “what has been a hardline stance against gay people from within that global segment of Christianity”.

They cited a recent case where the deputy head of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) in the U.S. resigned after criticism because he was moving to an “affirming” position on faithful lesbian and gay relationships.

“We would now call upon these groups to reflect on their own attitudes and prayerfully consider what their “hate the sin, love the sinner” teaching does to the minds and souls of faithful Christians who are gay,” they add.

“In the Gospels, Jesus warns his followers not to avoid their own failings by pointing to the failings of others - even if they are much larger. Westboro Baptist Church operates as a hate group and is an easy target. The real challenge to evangelicals is to face the need for change themselves.”

 It is from a Reuters blog. Dont read the comments. Sigh...! Ideology seems to be the very root of hate.

I think I understand a little why Jesus did rant so much against the Pharisees.

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Anti-Gay Bias Should Anger Christians –

I loved this article. Many times we are bombarded by the pro and cons, and we have to fight our way out of the positions. We are bombarded by an anti-gay position. Or, I bombard you with a gay position, mainly because I have to. It is like either you are for me or you are against. No middle ground. I feel I am forced to that. Because the homophobia is so corrosive, and my very livelihood is at stake. It is my life that I have to defend.

 

But, here is one writer who could, and did read up about the issues. And went ahead and got a personal story to illustrate some of the problems. She writes more logically than I would. I would be really, powerfully angry about the Matthew Mitcham story. And of course I have railed against Christian homophobia a long while. Rev. Howard Bess takes a very calming point of view which impresses me.

 

Here is the article. The link has the more complete one.

 

The role that is being played by religious people and institutions is especially tragic. Christian churches lead the parade of homophobic bigotry.

 

I write as an insider. I have lived my entire life as a follower of Jesus from Nazareth. I have always been a church member. My honest identification in life is simple and straightforward. I am a born again Evangelical Christian in the tradition of Baptists.

 

 

The Jesus that I know, and whom I call Lord, was first and always a man of love. The second attribute that I see in him is moral outrage, especially with religious people who turned their backs on the most vulnerable people of his time.

 

Most Christian bodies today have turned justice on its head and have become attackers of a vulnerable minority.

 

I first became involved in advocacy for full acceptance of gay people in our churches over 35 years ago. Gay people were already in my congregation, but they felt that they needed to stay in their closets.

 

Some cautiously came out. Others identified themselves to me only after many years. I believed at first that reliable information would make the difference and lead to gay acceptance. It did not prove to be the case.

 

 

In the late 1990s, a flood of books were written by Bible scholars and theologians. Most concluded that the Bible says nothing about homosexuality as sexual orientation. They argued forcefully for inclusion of gay people in our churches.

 

There were a few books that were written to make the case for exclusion. I have a lengthy bookshelf full of these volumes, pro and con. Those who argued for inclusion overwhelmed those who argued for exclusion. There are now some excellent “how I changed my mind” books being written.

 

Good information and good scholarship have made little difference. I was wrong about what would be needed to bring full acceptance in our churches.  

 

Story telling has been more effective. This is the reason I decided to share the story of Matthew Mitcham. Some people respond to stories of painful injustices.

 

I suspect that gay people and their parents telling their stories is the single greatest influence in gaining a new level of gay acceptance in our society. But story telling has not moved church leaders to bold action.

 

 

Movement toward acceptance and justice in our churches has proceeded at the pace of a glacial pace

Paedophile, Senior Homosexual? Any other names?

Rev Fred Mwesigwa wrote in The New vision on 28th - July 2008 that: -

..........The greatest lesson for the world from the Pope's apology is that homosexuality in the Roman Catholic Church, as is the case perhaps in other churches and institutions, seems to have started with a few paedophiles in very powerful and influential positions, be it religious, educational, civil or public.

The vulnerable groups like the youth, school children, orphans, young prisoners and other groups have provided a fertile ground for introducing, propagating and establishing homosexuality as an acceptable life-style.

The current outcry against homosexuality in Uganda's secondary schools is mainly a result of sexual bullying by male 'adults' in higher classes, many of who were introduced to the practice by 'senior citizens,' now enjoying privileged positions in society and some even married.

The case of pastor Grace Kitaka versus his adopted son Lukyamuzi reported by a local media house on July 30, 2007, should have been a test case of paedophiles who abuse vulnerable youth but it is yet to see the legal light of day.

In western countries like England where the problem of sexual abuse is acknowledged, a male adult, even a priest in the Anglican Church of England, for example, is not allowed to be in the company of a young boy even in a church building including its precincts.

As Uganda is about to adopt an open policy to foreigners whilst hurdles continue to be upped for Ugandan citizens seeking visas to foreign countries, there is need to be vigilante about people coming into our country, some of whom might be promoters of homosexuality, yet it is against the laws, religious ethos and cultural heritage.
I do not suggest barring people from coming into Uganda but I am calling for vigilance, especially on the vulnerable groups so that a foreigner or Ugandan who wants to start a school, Church or orphanage is investigated for a clean record of dealing with young people.

In the meantime, it is time for 'senior homosexuals' in Uganda to repent to the young victims of homosexuality, as the Pope has, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church and in the event that repentance is not forthcoming, legal redress should be sought by the victims.

The law should allow the identity of victims to be kept secret since the cultural stigma attached to homosexuality is so big that victims may shy away.

To all My Cyber friends

This was going to deT. She has been complaining a lot. But I realised that I had to explain myself to others apart from her.

Apparently, I am more gay than WildeY. Am very curious to know what that means! Not that am offended, but you know, just what does that mean? Carlo will answer, if I am lucky!

DeT is having a problem with me. News, news, news and news. She wants something from dear older bro. This brat of a sis does not understand why I put up all this news.

Why do I?

deT, these are things which I cannot discuss outside of cyber. Like Iwaya commented once, this cyber is a safety valve for me. I want to let off the steam, in a constructive way. Not let it fester and corrode. Though it also makes me want to go out swinging.

Saw the post about Mulago? That kind of thing happens very often in Uganda. Our hospitals are sick places, but hell, we are in Africa. Low resources, etc, etc.

[I hate that excuse]…

But then, what about this?

East African health ministers should endorse a regional plan on sexual and reproductive health and rights, advocates have said. The ministers last year approved the 77-page regional strategic plan for 2008 to 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania, but turned around five months later.

And you know the reasons why the plan was turned around? Some clauses dared give homosexuals equality of rights. Maybe like having an HIV prevention programme. That makes me boil. My sexuality is simply being cited as reason enough to hurt the health service delivery in the country, and region!

Hell, I am gay because I am gay. No ‘mistake’ of mine.

But that seems not to be the case with people who have taken it to heart that being gay is the worst of all evils. Is funny that I have to fight to just confirm that I am human.

Makes me mad. And makes me sad, sometimes. And then I want to get back to writing, saying, see, I am human. Not perfect, but human, like you!

Olive here challenged phobes. You are just criticising homosexuals, was the message. Be constructive. I put up the post here, and sent Olive a copy. I did get an answer, which was combative. Misunderstood, maybe!

But there was this reply from a homophobe, Ibrahim Kyambadde who was angry that Olive had dared to advocate for a middle way! His message, "Olive, know that gays, lesbians and sodomy are evils; fight them." There is no middle way. Don’t know what Olive would say to that!

Sadly, that attitude characterises many of my country mates. Olive may be suprised to find good intentions make Olive an enemy- not an ally!

More news. The ‘anti-gay’ Anglicans, that is what the press is calling them, they released a statement of their schism which is not a schism.

I have not had the strength to read the whole of it.

Funny thing is, I understand them. The shortness of sight to believe that theirs is the only view of orthodoxy. That anyone else who thinks different is necessarily apostate. Akinola and Orombi, against the Canterbury man were actually venomous. Cant they see this? If the whole world can see it, why cant they?

They have won their war and split their church, but by demonising me and my sexuality. Feels a bit like Hitler and the Jews. Most of the six million who met the final solution must have wondered what the hell they had done to the madman!

Thing is, deT, I am one Ugandan in cyber at the moment. Yes, there are lots of other gay Africans out there. Maybe they do not have my angst and sense of aggrievement. And maybe I am just being a prat, complaining all the time.

But again, these things which are done, in 'good faith' on the part of many people, they hurt me. They do hurt me.

I may not be a Christian, but the homophobia from the Church of Uganda does hurt me. Doesn’t take much to know that it has influenced the ‘no HIV programme’ stance of the Uganda government. Saying sternly that ‘it is a sin’ like Nsaba Buturo does, holds weight here. It is a sin, and the church and mosque are united against it. I cannot even point out that the church and mosque are ‘hate-mongering’. It cant be that, they are the religions! That by definition means they cannot hate!

How can I put it? Maybe this way.

For a long time I believed I was cursed because I am homosexual. It was a slow discovery to actually understand that I am ok, even if I am homosexual. Yet it cannot stay that way. I am constantly being informed how bad and evil I am. To retain my sense of sanity, I need to constantly claim my basic humanity. I need to push back at the people who do certain things which, in their view may not be bad, but they hurt me. Whether in denigrating me, or undermining my self confidence.

They do it all the time. I push back all the time! Stressful? Hell, yes! But necessary.

So, I blog as I do. Understood sis?

GayUganda