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| Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate for Literature, One of the signatories |
We the undersigned condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of Mr David Kato the Ugandan gay rights campaigner. We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of homosexuality must change for the better just as our opinion of slavery has changed even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts.
All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith.
We call on the government of Uganda to find and prosecute all those involved in the murder of Mr Kato, including the newspaper that called for the hanging of gays. We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalize homosexuality or treat homosexuals as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. Homosexuals must not be denied these rights. HERE
Prominent African Writers, academicians come out to oppose homophobia
1. Wale Adebanwi, PhD, University of California
2. Kayode Adeduntan, PhD, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
3. Biola Adegboyega, University of Calgary, Canada
4. Akin Adesokan, PhD, Indiana University, US
5. Anthony Akinola, PhD, Oxford, UK
6. Bode Asiyanbi, Writer, Lancaster University, UK
7. Sefi Atta, Writer, US
8. Damola Awoyokun, Writer, UK
9. Doreen Baingana, Writer, Uganda
10. Igoni Barrett, Writer, Nigeria
11. Chris Dunton, PhD, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho
12. Ropo Ewenla, PhD, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
13. Chris Ihidero, Writer/Lagos State University, Nigeria
14. Ikhide R. Ikheloa, Writer, US
15. Biodun Jeyifo, PhD, Harvard University, US
16. Ebenezer Obadare, PhD, University of Kansas, US
17. Tejumola Olaniyan, PhD, University of Wisconsin, US
18. Akin Omotosho, Actor and filmmaker, South Africa
19. Kole Omotosho, PhD, Africa Diaspora Research Group, South Africa
20. Samuel Sabo, Writer, UK
21. Ramzi Salti, PhD, Stanford University, US
22. Lola Shoneyin, Writer, Nigeria
23. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate for Literature
24. Olufemi Taiwo, PhD, Seattle University, US
25. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Writer, Nigeria
26. Kristy Warren, PhD, University of Warwick, UK
Petitioners Please Reply to:
Iya Osoronga
osoronga@yahoo.com
· Thanks to African Writers and Academics Against Homophobia
· Thanks to Gay Kenya, sidebar
· Thanks to Denis Nzioka
A Message from Anglican Hero Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
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| ¨...I could not myself keep quiet whilst people were being penalized for something about which they could do nothing, their sexuality. For it is so improbable that any sane, normal person would deliberately choose a lifestyle exposing him or her to so much vilification, opprobrium and physical abuse, even death. To discriminate against our sisters and brothers who are lesbian or gay on grounds of their sexual orientation for me is as totally unacceptable and unjust as Apartheid ever was.¨ HERE |
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4 comments:
Leonardo, I don't comment often, but I do read your blog. I appreciate that you continue to shed light into the darkness. If you need to take a break, go ahead, but I hope you come back stronger than ever.
Dear Mimi,
I do try and spend more time in the studio these days and then I run up the stairs to my computer--I like being vigilant when real lives are at stake...this blog started off to be a collection of ideas about the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion and a extension of the enthusiasm we all found at the online fellowship of Jakes (Fr. Martin we love you)...suddenly I became a activist with a particular point of view, a sort of solo insider, a Anglican point of view regarding THE very biggest issue to face organized religion in decades (divorce comes to mind)a real life vs. death issue not unlike Malaria--I certainly didn´t realize what a key roll TEC would play vs. the hostile/backward grandstanding religious rogues, and they are deadly rogues, in mitres of Africa--and they are mostly from Africa as the Southern Cone contingent(s) aren´t really factors other than opportunists at Church trying to become somebodies/anybodies after failed ministry in South America and trying to make backward social inroads that are going nowhere at home--big deal, prancing around North America pontificating about the issues they unsuccesfully face at home (and fail at addressing--nobody cares anyway what they say/preach in Aregentina, Bolivia and Peru where they are few).
Anyway, thanks for your kind note...I appreciate your words of wisdom--kindness and wisdom--you´re loaded with both.
I´m going on another little trip soon--always fun.
Love to you and yours,
Leonardo
I didn't know you were thinking of a blog hiatus, Leonardo.
I don't post often, but I do appreciate your blog: this entry is a case in point!
[Rather telling, sadly, that so many of these native Africans are in a Western diaspora. Is that a choice, or a (sexuality) necessity?]
Dear JCF,
Nope, I´m not closing up or taking a temporary extended vacation--our world is farrr to important to me to miss a blink, a bash, a opportunity to say NO (and sometimes even yes)! I hope you are doing well, I think of you quite often and always love reading your comments wherever they appear...thanks for being here.
Leonardo
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