I suppose I was a bit harsh on him.
Well I wouldn't be too tolerant of him. Homophobia in Africa is as every bit as unacceptable as it was in Britain in the 1960s. And Mugabe's attacks on gay men is one of the most despicable characters of the Zimbabwean government.
I reckon it's important though, to consider a couple reasons which probably contribute to why Africa is lagging behind in accepting gay rights. Firstly Aids.
I remember when the threat from Aids first hit the tabloid front pages. People throughout the Western World were whipped into a hysteria about this new killer disease which was spread by gay men. Aids sufferers were being identified and people demanded that they be moved out of their localities. Just being gay meant people considered you to be a threat and there was a widespread rise in homophobia.
However gradually, as a result of information campaigns, good communications, education, modern medicine, and that iconic picture of Princess Diana firmly shaking the hand of a gay Aids sufferer, the public perception of the Aids threat changed – and a much greater tolerance of gay lifestyles resumed.
Africa where Aids (probably) originated on the other hand, has suffered much more from Aids, due to a lack of education, medicine, poverty, and poor communications. Although Aids is widespread in the heterosexual populations, it is still more prevalent amongst homosexual men. I have little doubt that if the 'Aids issue' was not there, there would be a much greater acceptance of homosexuality in Africa.
The other major difference between Africa and the Western World which undoubtedly contributes to Africa lagging behind in recognising gay rights, is just straight forward 'education'. Education greatly contributes in helping people understand other people.
But fear not Woppit, things are changing in Africa. As you know, gay rights, a subject which I note from your recent posts is close to your heart, is historically most championed by left-wing progressive movements – in the face of stiff resistance from right-wing reactionary ones. And the ANC in South Africa provides the promise of a better future for many gay men in the African continent.
Let me give a little history lesson ……….. which I know you enjoy so much.
In 1887 under British rule, sodomy became illegal in South Africa. In 1957 the right-wing reactionary Apartheid Regime made it illegal "for men to engage in any sort of erotic contact in situations where more than two people were present". In 1994 the Apartheid Regime finally collapsed, the ANC came to power, and the laws were repealed.
In 1996 (under ANC rule) South Africa became the first country in the world to provide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, protection under its' constitution.
Then in 2006, despite the fact that homophobia had once been very widespread within the ANC, South Africa became the first country in Africa, and the fifth in the world, to legalise same-sex marriages.
Something which that beacon of freedom, liberal tolerance, and democracy, the United States, has yet to achieve…….and something which it bans under the "Defense of Marriage Act".
In some areas at least, Africa leads the way on gay rights over the West.
