Chicago gay rights activists took a stand Monday on International Day Against Homophobia, not just for their rights here in America but for the rights of others discriminated against around the world, particularly in Africa.
In a prison cell more than 8,000 miles away in Malawi, 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who was arrested in December along with his lover, wrote a letter that was read Tuesday on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street. Part of the note read:
“I love Steven so much. If people and the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless.”
Chimbalanga and his lover were convicted Tuesday of unnatural acts and gross indecency. Sentencing is set for Thursday. They could face imprisonment of up to 14 years.
According to the Gay Liberation Network, gay sex is illegal in 36 African countries.
“It’s important to remember why we are here today,” Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network, told the group, some of whom were carrying rainbow flags or signs in support of gay righs. “Because demonstrations like this do make a difference.”
Among those present was John Adewoye, a Nigerian immigrant who has been living in the United States the last 10 years because of his sexual orientation.
“After experiencing the liberation of coming out here in America, I knew there would be no other home than where I am now to express myself,” he said.
Adewoye told the crowd a story of a Nigerian college student who in 2002 was clubbed to death by his schoolmates because he was gay.
Crimes like these often go unpunished in Africa, due largely to anti-gay politics and homophobia.
In May 2008, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said he would “cut off the head” of homosexuals caught in his country, and in Uganda there’s a bill pending in parliament that would prescribe the death penalty for gay people in certain circumstances.
Thayer believes the rise of homophobia in Africa is due to extremist and right-wing Evangelicals who are not only attempting to deprive gays and lesbians of their rights in the U.S., but who are also active in promoting anti-gay hate abroad.
Activities of Christian missionaries in Africa have reportedly been on the rise, particularly in Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya, the same countries with the most anti-gay propaganda and laws.
“People have been lying and using the Bible with racism, sexism and now homophobia,” Michael Oboza, an Orthodox Catholic Eastern Rite monk, told the gathering.
Homophobia awareness efforts will continue this week in Chicago with a series of events leading up to Saturday, which would have been the 80th birthday of Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978 in San Francisco after becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America.
I think that it's a fine line between too far with these things. As a Roman Catholic I do not believe in gay marriage but I also do not believe in discrimination against people and using the Bible to encourage that people should be discrimminated against.
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