the ELEPHANT in the room

Not here. Not now. Not ever.

Africa. Christened the Dark Continent over the ages. Ironical term considering we get exclusive sunlight than any other continent and have such a rich wonderful tan till we can bask in the sun without an ounce of sunscreen. Sometimes it’s too good being African but that’s a story for another day. Some of the leading Economic publications are pointing out that Africa’s significance on the global scene is on an upward rise, there’s a feeling that something new and wonderful is happening in this Afro-land. There’s a rising generation of brilliant minds, not dejected by failures of the past amidst the perennial problems we have had to deal with as a people. While still we have to grapple with poverty, corruption, wars, poor governance and killer diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, there’s a very bright ray of light at the end of the tunnel and more than a mere straw to clutch at in drowning conditions.

But I feel we need to pause and take a hard, frank look at ourselves lest we move too fast and leave behind what has mattered most to us since the days of our forefathers. This is not a call to reinstate some of the primitive practices we have foregone. But to actually re-instill the valuable ones that seem to erode with each passing day.

I logged onto twitter the other day and was astonished that ‘Uganda’ was the highest trending topic among Kenyans on Twitter. Curious on why, I was to find out that the cyber-explosion was as a result of the impending signing into law of a bill crafted by the nation’s Parliament that will outlaw homosexuality with severe penalties including death. This got me thinking long and hard about the elephant in the room. It’s been a long time coming but we now seem caught up in the eye of the storm. Ignoring the whole issue, seemingly easier will just delay what needs to be addressed. Living in denial is no longer an option.

Courtesy: AP

Coming back home, we’re in a society that would rather discuss such ‘controversial matters’ in hushed tones while maintaining hard stances. In Kenya, we happen to actually harbor a man that is now considered a marshal for the LGBT movement in this part of the world, a certain Mr. Binyavanga. Bold in his quest but loathed and admired with the same intensity. Coloured hair, like a crown for a clown. His fantastic literature contributions and bravery aside, I see an angry man lost in the journey of life. And there is no rage as harmful as that towards God, this I know through experience. I am a Christian and so I find fault with the whole gay rights movement. I also object to the oppression of any person because of their sexual preferences but still it doesn’t augur well with that which is natural. But I’m not attacking this son of the soil, just think bedroom matters should remain there.

Must bite harder than Siberian cold up in Russia to be gay

Granted, there are a lot of grey areas concerning this issue. So many arguments that will probably never end. South Africa legalized same-sex marriages but stigma still exists. Nigeria seems another hot spot where sympathizers portray harsh anti-homosexuality laws as a unifying factor in the political landscape of a nation deeply in religious acrimony. 38 nations in Africa still outlaw gay rights, a few are neutral but in the real sense, it’s NOT only an African thing. Russia in its current debacle as it hosts the Winter Olympics games in Sochi and Turkey, both in Eurasia find themselves in the mix. Death is what’s served in most of the Islamic nations. The Western world is not a haven as proponents of LGBT rights may try to portray. There’s not a single known footballer in the English Premier League who’s had the courage to come out as they’d be risking their lives doing so.

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In contrast, we have Obama’s administration expressing irk towards African nations taking a hardline stand, Chimamanda Adichie, such a renowned African writer based in the US has explicitly condemned her nation’s stance on all this, business mogul Branson is in line to make Virgin Airlines cease operations in Uganda while Facebook has even gone ahead to introduce a ‘neutral’ sexual orientation among its 1.2B users. Choices have consequences but we seem unprepared to how the future will pan out in regards to LGBT issues.

I don’t know the best way forward; this is not an incitement to argue, but rather ponder. But I do know, like any other sin, that homosexuality is wrong. Some will retort that Christianity is also a white man’s movement and un-African which I find utterly ridiculous. Things are getting out of hand people. What with the entertainment business as a whole trying to make it all look cool and glamorous. ‘Gay is the new black’ and other such slogans seem in vogue. Makes we wanna say, “N***a please!”

May God help us.