Logic made in Uganda

Bahati was right. His Anti-Homosexuality bill is inspiring other African countries to enact similar laws. So, why is it of a sudden that Homosexuality is such a burning issue on the continent? Hope this bill also 'dies' in committee. This is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, former Zaire.

"If nothing is done, considering the support the bill has received in the public opinion, the parliament will probably pass the law that criminalizes homosexuality. Elections are around the corner; therefore the vote of the parliament will depend on the role that law could play in political campaign and calculation. "

The Sexual Practices Against Nature Bill will, if passed, criminalize homosexuality and sexual practices with animals such as zoophilia and bestiality

It will also criminalise any activities that promote the rights of LGBTI persons. Section 174h3 of the Bill stipulates that, "all publications, posters, pamphlets, (or) films highlighting or likely to arouse or encourage sexual practices against nature are forbidden within the territory of the DRC and "all associations that promote or defend sexual relations against nature are forbidden within the territory of the DRC."

Any offender contravening this Bill will be punished by 3 to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of 500,000 Congolese francs (Section 174h1).

OK. Fact is, I have always to acknowledge the weird logic of Bahati, and Ssempa, and the others. Living here, almost insulated from an appreciation of the bigger world out there, they can, and do things which would sound realy off putting. But, in Africa, in Uganda, they just make things what they think the world is like.

Now, here, courtesy of Uganda Urgent Action, is the suggested response of Dr Nsaba-Buturo to any Ugandan who writes to their member of parliament saying that they should not be persecuted. Here is the supposed official response from the government of Uganda.

OFFICIAL SUGGESTED RESPONSE:

Dr. Buturo used a letter he had written to someone who

self-identified as gay and it was this reply which he

suggested as a template for other MPs to use.

Dear _________________ ,

What you have described yourself as is a disorientation proper! It is an abnormality per excellence! In their wisdom, most Ugandans see that state of affairs which you are caught up in as an abomination. It does not mean homosexuality does not exist in our society. It does as yourself can testify. There are over 60 former homosexuals whom government is supporting in their rehabilitation effort. They are reverting to their former heterosexual status before they were lured into homosexuality. You too can change under a proper environment. Clearly, it is wrong to ostracise, harass or take harmful measures against the likes of you that have, following different reasons found yourself in that class. You need all manner of support with a view to rehabilitation. I hope that Members of Parliament, in their wisdom will pass a law that protects the human race (Ugandans) while at the same time suuportive of measures that help victims of the abomination. I believe that Homos are human beings with rights to protection and love that we all need. This must not be denied. What should not be acceptable is promotion of a practice that even animals don't practice! Distortion of the Word of God for purposes of selfpreservation is ungodly.

Dr. Buturo

I have been feeling good. The horror of that letter makes all my good spirits to disappear.

Let me try to deconstruct it. I doubt that I will be able to, not in full, not the way that I feel, emotional about it. But, let me try to.

• To Buturo, PhD, it doesnt matter that medics don't consider me sick. To him, I am sick. Disoriented.

• I am in need of his special kind of help. Of course. Not another persons who will affirm me. Someone to rehabilitate me to my 'heterosexual self' indeed.

• It is wrong to persecute me, clearly. Only if it is done in the name of the law, (and God, of course)

• Members of parliament to pass a law to protect the Human Race! Indeed. To protect against me!!!! gods in heavens.

• Believes that 'homos' are human beings...... gosh, that needs no comment.

Gosh, I cannot, and will not, go ahead to try to reason with this man.

As I said, the letter is quoted from Uganda Urgent Action. But, it is dear Buturo, pure, simply un-adultered, vintage Buturo.

gug

Africa, Homophobia, and the Export (and import) of Homophobia. Case analysis Uganda; of course.

I guess is should be natural that African homophobia gets exported to the countries we go as immigrants.

Pity my friends in Uganda who would love to run off to these countries, and will get there and want to stay connected to their African brothers and sisters. Yes, it will be easier, but, we do not leave all our demons home. We move with them. Even in Europe.

'Homophobia widespread within UK African communities'

DISCRIMINATION: Hostility towards gay men and women on the rise

HOSTILITY TOWARDS gay men and women within African communities in the UK is on the increase, claims a leading African magazine.

Mambo, a health lifestyle magazine for Africans, reveals in its new edition what it's like to be gay in UK African communities, where people can experience a life of victimisation, abuse and discrimination based on misplaced beliefs about homosexuality.

Discriminating against gay, lesbian or transgender people is a crime in the UK, yet Africans who are not heterosexual often suffer serious abuse, verbal and physical assault from their own community says the magazine. Some are even disowned by their family. As a result of this hostility, only very few gay Africans have the courage to openly declare their sexuality.

In an opinion article written for the latest Mambo, which is published by HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), award-winning journalist Sorious Samora describes his shock at the levels of hostility that he found towards gay people during his visit to east and central Africa to film his documentary, 'Africa's Last Taboo', for Channel 4's 'Dispatches' programme.

Samora says that homophobia is being encouraged by religious leaders, the very people he says should be promoting tolerance and understanding.

Of course, it is kind of logical. We are very, very homophobic. Us as Africans. The seeds of that have been well laid in the teachings of the churches in Africa. And, yes, I do lay it at the churches themselves.

Here is another article. It is an analysis of the Pastor Wars in Uganda.

This article exemplifies what so angers me with the 'church' in Africa. Read through the article, from top to bottom, and see whether you agree with me.

We kuchus in Africa come off as the scapegoats. We are turning Christians homosexual. [Sigh], and we are blamed for the churches going empty.... [No. that may be happening in Europe, in Africa, the churches are bulging at the seams.] I know, I have at least five churches within a km of where I live in Kampala.

Kuchus are blamed for turning the pastors gay. But, what comes out in the article is that the pastors are fighting each other because of simple greed and jealousy. Of course, all in the name of Jesus. Imagine, outside the courtroom, the believers took to deciding the problem with fistcuffs. No. There were not homosexuals fighting it out with the Anti-Homos there.

And, for your information, even the pastors who are accused of being gay cannot dare stand up for gay Ugandans. It would be social suicide for them. And, they have their money generating machines to protect at all costs.

We, as in Gay Ugandans, gay Africans are losing out. Because it all continues to ferment the climate of sickness. Kuchus, gay africans cannot be good. Look at this excerpt from the article above.

"We came in to stop the fight of Christians from the two camps. One of the groups fighting claimed that their priests were being framed by malicious priests. The others supported the ones who pointed out the priests they claim to be gays."

Some Christians are buffled by the wars between pastors. "I am confused by the stories saying that some of our priests are gays", said 59 year old Simon Kasumali, a catechist in St Andrew church in eastern Uganda. "It is difficult to confirm whether the accusations are true. I personally do not believe in them. Our priests are being framed" he added.

But 45 yr old businessman, Andrew Nyeko thinks otherwise. He said: "I am not surprised about the accusations. Some of the churches in the country are managed by money hungry and amoral people. They can do anything evil."

We personify what is evil. Not the pastors fighting with each other. It is us the kuchus who lose out.

It is a sobering article in a way. Because, for once someone dares to look beyond the 'gays are evil' and take a kind of closer look at the people who are saying that gays are evil.

And, do not mistake me, very few Ugandans have this point of view. Very few Ugandans are actually looking and assesing what is coming out of the mouths of these 'men of god'. Ssempa, Male, they are honoured guests of honour at any function in Uganda. And, I bet you they will soon be receiving more 'anti-homosexuality awards'. Because,

well, they are fighting the war for god. Isnt it?

I will sign off here. Be well

gug

Uganda and Botswana

I find that I have multiple personality disorder....

OK. Not that melodramatic. Split personality, really. I am many things to many people, a chameleone that adapts and blends into the environment. But, when it comes to splitting my presence.... I kind of find it hard.

Am at a place where apparently, I can post to my blog, but, find it difficult to access it. Maybe the ISP, but, our world is diverse, isnt it?

Cruising the net, I find some interesting things. In Botswana, someone dares to believe the law will be on their side. They are gay, and being gay, they believe they should not be criminalised. So, they challenge that law in the courts.

High Court Judge Zibani Makwade has been allocated a case in which a confessed gay, Caine Yougman is suing state over the criminalisation of homosexual relationships. The dates of the case has not been set.

In his founding affidavit, Youngman, 29 says he has never been able to freely express his sexuality because of the law that criminalises sex between people of the same sex referring to it as 'carnal knowledge against the order of nature'.

"In order to do so I have to cross the border to South Africa where my sexuality is recognised and protected by law." Youngman says he hates to cross the border constantly as he suffers grave inconveniences both financially and travel wise.

"Sometimes I fear for my safety in South Africa, in fact I was nearly hijacked before, many times I feel like a criminal when I enjoy my sexuality and I suffer prejudice in the communities when I openly express my sexuality."

He says the prejudice is entrenched by the government as manifested by its refusal to register as an association of gays called Lesbians, Gays and Bisexual of Botswana (LEGABIBO) in which he is an active and founding member.

Youngman says it is his belief that this denial was attempting to give credence to Section 164 of the Botswana Penal Code which section criminalises sexual acts between people of the same sex.

"Furthermore, prospects of registration in the future are slim because the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs is on record as saying his office would have difficulties in registering LEGABIBO and decriminalising homosexuality."

He believes that existence of section 164 effectively sanctions discrimination against him on the basis of sexual orientation, and violates fundamental human rights and freedoms inherent in all human beings as guaranteed and protected by the Constitution of Botswana.

"The constitution of Botswana under section 3(a) provides for the protection of everyone's right to 'life, liberty, and security of the person and the protection of the law' whatever his/her 'race, place of origin, political..., creed or sex..."

Hmmmmm It does sound interesting. I will definitely want to see what happens.

---

The Worst place to be gay in the world?

Miles came to Uganda. And, he had his take on the country. Well, Miles is gay. It was a very personal experience for him, coming to Uganda and seeing what Ugandans think about him personally.

Proud, happy Ugandans are acting realy puzzled by all the hullaballoo. Surely, surely, we are not that bad?

Fact is, I am laughing. Because it simply is true. Yes, with regards to my sexual orientation, my country, Uganda is that bad..... And, it is good that you at least have the chance to see how ridiculously hard you make life for us gay Ugandans. With your embrace of hate of us, gay Ugandans.

What am I going on about? I keep coming across reaction to BBC Miles documentary, and Ugandans are not happy with the characterisation. Surely, surely, this is a lie? Nope. It just aint a lie. And, yes, Uganda is in the spotlight, but since it is our leaders like Bahati, Buturo and Ssempa who came up with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, we richly deserve our place in the sun. Here is an excerpt from the blog in the Observer.

What do you want Uganda to be famous for?

Uganda holds a reputation for being beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, a haven for tourists and investors; the 'Pearl of Africa'.

Recently Uganda has been making headlines. On the February 14, 2011, the BBC aired a documentary, The world's worst place to be gay. Gay DJ Scott Mills travelled to Uganda, spoke with people on the streets of Kampala, asking their opinion on homosexuals, and some of the responses were, "I hate them"; "they should be killed", and "it's disgusting".

Mills visited a gay bar in Kampala where men spoke of the fear they live in. One young lesbian told him that she had been raped in an attempt to cure her of her orientation, leaving her pregnant and HIV-infected.

Then came his encounter with legislator David Bahati, who, Mills says, wanted him arrested. The documentary focused on the alleged institutionalisation of homophobia in Uganda, the belief that it can be cured and the negative opinions that many hold on it.

Incidentally, some are proud of the image the documentary portrayed of Ugandan society. Kampala based graduate Nicholas Bainomugisha said, "I am glad that the BBC have shown such a programme; it shows the world that we will not accept such ungodly behaviour."

Manchester based business manager, Flora Namirembe, was also impressed by the hard-line opinions of Ugandans interviewed.

"Why should Ugandans have to hide their opinions because the West does not like it?" she said

Actually, I am kind of glad. Because, for once, we are beginning to debate, even in the media, and honestly, the unthinking hatred that Ugandans have for us, gay Ugandans.

So, if it takes them looking at themselves and seeing an unflattering image in the mirror... well, it is better you see than you congratulate yourself on your fantastic perception of good. I love the first sentence of that article.

Uganda holds a reputation for being beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, a haven for tourists and investors; the 'Pearl of Africa'.

Uh.... talk about Kony, and the war in the North... sometimes our capacity at selective perception is truly frightening. I wonder how people will react to the BBC documentary which was filmed recently in South Africa, featuring Bahati?

Have a good day, I am still surfing, even when I cannot see my blog at all.

gug

It is Friday.....

Been inside a room the whole day. Was fantastic. A learning experience.

Kept me away from my computer, and the net. But, I am not saying it was too bad a thing. But, I need to go out and have some air. So, before I do, let me cruise the waves, and surf, and find somethings interesting.

The BBC has been stirring up the waters.... LOL, I know people will always have an opinion on what the BBC does, but, I laud them for putting the question of my sexuality firmly in the public debate. And, they manage in a very interesting way.

Recently, they were in Johannesburg, South Africa. And, they want a debate, and invite dear Bahati, MP, Uganda. And, that was something. I am told that it will air on the BBC, but someone who was there has this to say.

The five-member studio discussion panel included David Bahati, the MP behind the Ugandan bill which seeks to impose the death penalty in certain cases of homosexuality, the former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, as well as South African writer Eusebius Mckaiser.
Studio audience members were seemingly evenly split, representing various LGBT activist groups as well as anti-gay organisations including the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).
Mambaonline was not allowed access to the studio by security, but according to Coenie Kukkuk, the Director of Operations of Mr. Gay South Africa, who was a member of the audience, the debate was "very emotional".
Kukkuk said: "The shouting from both sides in the audience was so loud that you couldn't hear the people speak. It nearly came to blows."
A key issue in the debate was the question of whether homosexuality is “un-African”, a position vigorously defended by Bahati, who is a born-again Christian.
He also claimed in the debate that children were being "recruited" by gays in Uganda and that gays and lesbians were placing the family under threat.

Wow, Bahati..... the lesbian kiss!

You know what, it is quite interesting when Bahati comes face to face with gays and lesbians. So, he wanted to arrest Miles of the BBC. And, the couple kissing makes him determined to pass the bill? Someone told me that he went and told Bahati, after the debate, that he was gay, and, why the hell did he think he was not African. That, Bahati choked up, with anger apparently.....

LOL, the guy does believe that we are not AFrican. Truly, he seems to do so.

I found a letter in my inbox, supporting Bahati. The premise of the writer was that they had commented on the BBC website, but would most likely not be posted. So, they copied it to me?
Why?

I dont know. I am certainly not a worker with the BBC.Maybe they expected me to post it here?

I am not, but, I am picking out an excerpt of the letter.

Some Ugandan men, and Westerners are taking advantage of the undeveloped legal enforcement system/police system, and are hiding behind the guise of equal rights. My uncle is a catholic priest and was abused in boarding school. American visitors came to his school when he was a child, saw him singing in the choir and raped him. In his teenage years he dated a wealthy German man . My uncle now gay is a abusing children. He holds gay parties at our family home in Uganda, in which many underage people attend. He has recently opened an orphanage.
The point being made here is that some wealthy/NGO workers/senior gay people  are abusing boys in organised way. They are able to get away with it because they have religious respect, money or political power.
Some members of the catholic church and western charities are using the battle for human liberties to disguise and multiply disgraceful activities.

I am afraid that my answer was not nice. I do not like to be lumped together with paedophiles. And, Ugandans forget that most of the stories in the news about adults having sex in Uganda, (defilement, it is called) are actually heterosexual sex.

So, what did I reply?

Hmmmmm,

Well, short brief angry answer sent first.

Then, a second later. I advised her to report her uncle to the police. Because it is necessary. The guy is 'defiling' children, giving them drugs. And, Uganda's Penal code covers all these things. So, she should report her uncle to the police. Not try to kill me for her uncle's sins.

Was I too harsh?

Well. I am not happy with those who accuse me of all things that they can, simply because I am gay. I mean, where is the reasoning there?

The Red rug blames Buturo's fall on gays... oh well....!

Now, to some good news.

I am deeply sceptical of religion.... because, some people like Bahati hang on their religious clothes to make a fool of me, and want to kill me. But, when a sincere request is made for forgiveness, I take the gift and examine it. Like this one. It is moving. Read it please. No, it is not in Africa.

A rather unusual event recently took place in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Fort Washington, Md. Several ministers of black churches met with members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community -- and formally apologized for what the organizers described as the church's judgmental attitude toward individuals who experience same-sex attraction and their loved ones.

Its a long story. But, if, you, like me, are concerned about the hate speech from the body which claims the Nazarene, you will be gladdened that some are able to pray for forgiveness. Here is the story again.

I have been telling a colleague that rest and relaxation are very important.

I am taking my own medicine, though I would dearly love to write more.

Be well, and be good


gug

The day as it was...

I probably should not be posting.

Should be heading to my room to rest. Sleep. Relax. Has been a long day, cooped up in the house for a meeting that would not end. And, outside was beautiful weather. Now that I am out, I am taking the chance to be on the net, which, of course I was missing...... these addictions of ours!

But, there are somethings to take care of. For example, David Kato's confessed murderer was arraigned before court. And, quite amusing to me, Ugandans are on the main not happy about the complaints that gay Ugandans have about them. Like here.

I watched in horror when a programme was aired on BBC3 naming Uganda as the worst place on earth to be gay.
I realised then how African countries are being publicised for all the wrong reasons. It amazed me how the gay community in Uganda is blaming everybody for their misfortunes while alleging that some of them live in the Bwaise slum because it is the safest place for them as a result of homophobia!
It is not right to say that most people living in the slums are gay. The programme also portrayed gays as being economically marginalised. I believe they are just down right lazy; they should get off their backs and go look for work like other Ugandans. Why should they be special?

Nope. We are not special. And, when a respected member of parliament dares to introduce a genocidal bill in the parliament of the republic seeking to kill me or have me put in prison for life, I kind of see little funny in your cries of injured pride. Maybe you will feel worse when you are the one under threat?

Others complain that too much attention is given to us, rather than the other problems of the country. Check this one out. The writer is Ethiopian anyway.

Questionable interest has been shown by the western media which many regard taking the story overboard and accusing the Ugandan society of hate crime. Some speculate their interest does not end at a human right activism only, but rather seen as an opportunity to ‘impose’ the western way of life.

Another theory for the west to have a special interest on the story is that it is considered as an instigator of conflict in the country and the region as a whole.  Hence, it was just easier to blame the whole thing on a hate crime. The western media rather report that an Ugandan gay activist was brutally killed but will not comment on a leader who have stayed in power for more than 20 years and supported by Western Governments. 

LOL, as kuchus, we can never win. Even when we apparently do.

But, at least there is better news from Mozambique. 

An LGBT association in Mozambique has welcomed clarification of the law by the country’s justice minister at the UN, but has expressed concern that the constitution and penal code are still ambiguous on gay rights.
The Republic of Mozambique has strong equality credentials compared with some African neighbours, but campaigners are pursuing absolute clarification of its stance on homosexuality.
LAMBDA, an organisation which is not currently recognised by the state, welcomed a statement by Benvinda Levi at the UN in which she said that homosexuality was not illegal in Mozambique.
But they expressed concern over Article 71 of the Penal Code, which orders “security measures” against those who habitually commit “vices against nature”.
“Security measures”, defined in the Code, include hard labour, internment in an asylum, and debarment from professional activities.
The term “vices against nature”, which was a 1954 inclusion, is not defined, and the campaign group is concerned that without explicit protection of homosexuality, a court could rely on this clause. 

 Now. For my room... or bed. To ceasar what is ceasars.

gug

Coming Out for Kuchus

I have not been blogging.

Why... lol, sometimes the time is too little. And I have to earn the money that fuels my food.... !

But, I also notice that blogging helps my thought processes. Which is great, because, I do love blogging. And the fact that I scour the web to find things of interest. Makes me be better informed than I would otherwise be.

You know the process of coming out? It is special. First I didnt think of it as so.... well, it seemed as if I didnt have that option. But, I find that it is important for me, and most likely for other kuchus in Uganda. Because we are human, like everyone else.

So, what about coming out....

Actually, first it was this post about the Gay African American reverand, who found that, after coming out, he had the chance to challenge the homophobia of others. And, he used his gifts to do so.

was a turning point for him professionally.

“I now have an unambiguous vocation — a mission — to address the religious causes and roots of homophobia,” he told The Washington Post months later. “I will devote the rest of my life to addressing the ‘religious case’ against gays.”

He was true to his word. His sermons and lectures, always well attended, were packed in Cambridge and around the country as he embarked on a campaign to rebut literal and fundamentalist interpretations of the Bible.

And, here is one of England's Cricketers taking the opportunity offered by another gay sportsman coming out, to come out himself. Am told that the Premier League is way homophobic.... but, this one is a Cricketer.

England wicketkeeper Steve Davies has become the country's first professional cricket player to publicly announce he is gay.

"It is something I have lived for a long time with and I am really comfortable about things with now," Davies said. "I have got nothing to hide and I am ready to tell people."

The 24-year-old Surrey player made the announcement late Sunday in video interviews on the websites of The Sun and Daily Telegraph newspapers, saying he told England coach Andy Flower last year before going on the Ashes tour to Australia

Good for you dude.

We may not be able to come out, but, as you will discover, it is something that encourages lots of others. Countless nameless others like the writer here who you will probably never hear of. But, it is something that defines us as kuchus in this hostile world.

I am saying that I cannot come out.... lol, I am managing it. Remember, it is a process that is lifelong. I have opened a facebook profile in my names, and, am gradually habituating my 'friends' who happen to be queer and non queer, that this is a gay man... a gay Ugandan. Recently found a comment from a colleague at work warning all and sundry about some of our vile pics.... but, I cannot be responsible for my friends tastes, can I? LOL.

I am still coming out. And, fun is, I know where it is leading. Hope my straight friends are not too 'shocked'! When they at last realise that I am even 'deeper' than they knew! My life has been lived in mutually exclusive closets. Time I kind of intergrated the multiple personalities.... Good for my health.

Said I was not blogging? Seems as if the juices are flowing. So, I schedule this for posting, and see whether I can actually write another post!

Be well

gug

Gay, Christian, African American

You do know that I am not of any faith....

Of course you do. I say that often enough, so that I am not confused …. or others not to be confused by my take on things. I don't like the walls that thinking puts round one's mind.

But, at the same time, I am acutely aware of the role of religion in other kuchu's lives. Whether it is in Uganda, or elsewhere.

Anyway, I accept the fact that I may not believe, but others believe. And those who are gay like me find lots of problems reconciling their beliefs with their sexuality. Good news, there are not mutually exclusive, as the likes of the Catholic, Pentecostal, and Anglican churches and mosques in Uganda would have one believe.

But, it is a huge but. Growing up in a place like Uganda, you hear what the 'men of god' preach with little thought that they may be wrong. So, many will go through this journey again, and again.

They come to me, asking the questions. I know my answers. I do not know the answers that they will find. But, I know the poison from the real food. Or, at least I think I know.

So, when I saw this article, of an African American, conservative, and yes GAY man, I was really thrilled. His journey is not mine, nor do I hope for one like it. But, his thinking was good. And, he had the charisma which the likes of Orombi and Ssempa use to gay bash Ugandan Kuchus.

The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, a Harvard minister, theologian and author who announced that he was gay a generation ago and became one of America’s most prominent spiritual voices against intolerance, died on Monday in Boston. He was 68.

----

One can read into the Bible almost any interpretation of morality, Mr. Gomes liked to say after coming out, for its passages had been used to defend slavery and the liberation of slaves, to support racism, anti-Semitism and patriotism, to enshrine a dominance of men over women, and to condemn homosexuality as immoral.

And, Apartheid in South Africa.

He was a thundering black Baptist preacher and for much of his life a conservative Republican celebrity who wrote books about the Pilgrims, published volumes of sermons and presided at weddings and funerals of the rich and famous. He gave the benediction at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration and delivered the National Cathedral sermon at the inauguration of Reagan’s successor, George Bush.

And the moment of coming out.

Then, in 1991, he appeared before an angry crowd of students, faculty members and administrators protesting homophobic articles in a conservative campus magazine whose distribution had led to a spate of harassment and slurs against gay men and lesbians on campus. Mr. Gomes, putting his reputation and career on the line, announced that he was “a Christian who happens as well to be gay.”

When the cheers faded, there were expressions of surprise from the Establishment, and a few calls for his resignation, which were ignored. The announcement changed little in Mr. Gomes’s private life; he had never married and said he was celibate by choice. But it was a turning point for him professionally.

And, that moment of coming out, like for most of us kuchus, was a turning point.

it was a turning point for him professionally.

“I now have an unambiguous vocation — a mission — to address the religious causes and roots of homophobia,” he told The Washington Post months later. “I will devote the rest of my life to addressing the ‘religious case’ against gays.”

He was true to his word. His sermons and lectures, always well attended, were packed in Cambridge and around the country as he embarked on a campaign to rebut literal and fundamentalist interpretations of the Bible. He also wrote extensively on intolerance.

“Religious fundamentalism is dangerous because it cannot accept ambiguity and diversity and is therefore inherently intolerant,” he declared in an Op-Ed article in The New York Times in 1992. “Such intolerance, in the name of virtue, is ruthless and uses political power to destroy what it cannot convert.”

In his 1996 best seller, “The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart,” Mr. Gomes urged believers to grasp the spirit, not the letter, of scriptural passages that he said had been misused to defend racism, anti-Semitism and sexism, and to attack homosexuality and abortion. He offered interpretations that he said transcended the narrow context of modern prejudices.

“The Bible alone is the most dangerous thing I can think of,” he told The Los Angeles Times. “You need an ongoing context and a community of interpretation to keep the Bible current and to keep yourself honest. Forget the thought that the Bible is an absolute pronouncement.”

But Mr. Gomes also defended the Bible from critics on the left who called it corrupt because passages had been used to oppress people. “The Bible isn’t a single book, it isn’t a single historical or philosophical or theological treatise,” he told The Seattle Gay News in 1996. “It has 66 books in it. It is a library.”

Oh yes, he was a radical conservative. A thinker, challenged by his sexuality, and willing to put his brains to work on that question.

And, I hear it is tough being gay and African American...... ! He had risen from his humble beginnings. But, he didnt abandon his faith.

Makes me think that there is still hope out there.

Have a great day.

gug