Long before the white man set foot in Africa bringing with him Christianity, the continent largely practiced religion, albeit based on traditional rites.
This perhaps explains why Africans have treated homosexuality with contempt, based on the strong foundation of the beginning, where unions were between man and woman.
It is therefore no surprise that traditional beliefs and practices have been a bedrock of not only strong marriages but resilient family units that have largely extended to the globally admired sense of community in the continent.
Sadly, Africa’s divorce rates are on the rise and our children are being raised to value education, financial freedom and entrepreneurship at the expense of the family. So, why are we so quick to fold under the pressure of LGBT (lesbian, gays, bi-sexual and transgenders) rights organisations?
In 2011, The New York Times stated that the Obama administration had announced that the United States would use all the tools of American diplomacy, including the potent enticement of foreign aid, to promote gay rights around the world.
This included a $3 million (Sh300 million) programme to finance gay-rights organisations many of which are working in Africa. But more disturbing was then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva when she said: “the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people rest on deeply held personal, political, cultural and religious beliefs.”
Surprisingly, while the Obama administration knows too well that many regions in the world traditionally oppose the homosexual lifestyle, they are willing to not only pump millions of dollars in LGBT organisations working in Africa but use aid to penalise countries that oppose homosexual lifestyle.
And not many in his administration have towed the line when it comes to the promotion of homosexuality in Africa. As a matter of fact, it is widely believed that in 2012, the American Ambassador to Kenya, Ret General Scott Gration resigned from his position citing ‘differences with Washington’ over his ‘leadership style’ and ‘certain priorities’.
A rather interesting coincidence is that on the week of his resignation, the American Embassy in Nairobi held a LGBT pride celebration party. It is said that the former ambassador, a son of missionary parents, and who was known for his strong Christian values, refused to attend the said event. In my opinion, human rights and gay rights are separate and distinct.
Already, some local organisations are promoting gay rights in Kenya. There is talk that many non-profit organisations in Africa cannot receive foreign aid unless they have a LGBT board member or employee. The gay and lesbian movement cannot be underestimated.
It has made significant strides in the United States and many other countries in Europe. Kenyans, however, have the power to say no to this new form of colonisation and stick to their values and beliefs. We can still protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in the workplace and ensure that their safety is not jeopardised because of the sexual orientation.
Let us, however, be careful not to legalise gay marriages and promotion of gay prides. If we do, this will have irreversibly negative effects on the African society. Oscar Okwaro Plato is a political analyst with Quadz Consulting Africa. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not reflect those of the organisation.
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