Sexual rights and social justice. These have been the clamor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) activists at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. What ways have the LGBT community come up with to finally achieve equality in Africa and the rest of the world?

In most African countries, homosexuality is taboo. Some even regard it as satanic and un-African.

It is in this light that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) activists presented a workshop titled “Sexuality and Social Justice” during the 7th World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

The workshop focused on sexual rights and social justice—in particular, on moving away from the concept of identity politics to one of integration of sexual minorities including sex workers,  lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders—and breaking these down into class and gender issues. The new and radical approach they proposed is one which moves to incorporate all minorities and make alliances with as many oppressed groups.

Workshop panelists included Fikile Vilakazi of the Coalition of African Lesbians, Wendy Landau of Behind the Mask, a non-profit media organisation publishing a news website intended for gay and lesbian affairs in Africa, and Elavarthi Manohar of Sangama, a sexuality minorities human rights organisation based in India for individuals oppressed due to their sexual preference.

Vilakazi emphasised that the main issues facing the lesbian community in Africa, including that in South Africa where homosexual-friendly laws exist, is that the society at large is still very homophobic. As a result, lesbians are put at risk of hate crimes including rape, beatings, and murder. Moreover, lesbians face the issue of fundamentalist religions—Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.

In most African countries homosexuality is outlawed, with strict penalties for those found guilty, hence, resulting to widespread discrimination against homosexuals. For example, in Kenya, homosexuality is illegal and is punishable with imprisonment of up to 14 years. In Uganda, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment. In Rwanda, the sentence ranges from to six years to life imprisonment.

Activists are now demanding for homosexual-friendly laws as well as support groups and awareness campaigns seeking to help the society accept the homosexual community.

Visit <http://www.pambazuka.org/blogs/wsf2007/?p=14> to listen to the interview of Pambazuka News to Fikile Vilakazi and Vanesha Chitty as they talk about their work on advancing the rights of LGBT communities in Africa, in general, and their engagement at the World Social Forum, in particular.

Sources:
“Long Fight for Justice for Homosexuals” from Inter Press Service, posted on January 23, 2007, <http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36271>.
“Sexuality and Social Justice” from Pambazuka News at the World Social Forum, posted on January 21, 2007, <http://www.pambazuka.org/blogs/wsf2007/?p=16>.