Although not a signatory to the UN Resolution, South Africa repealed its sodomy laws in 1998. HRW reports that Nelson Mandela told a gathering of southern African leaders that homosexuality was not "un-African," but "just another form of sexuality that has been suppressed for years." Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu supported the Resolution since its inception in 2006. However, SA is still highly discriminatory of sexual minorities.
Where states impose religious beliefs on the whole of society, violence ensues. One of the most gruesome and internationally known acts of violence against LGBTs is the rape and brutal murder of FannyAnn Eddy in September 2004. Founder of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Assn., Eddy is known throughout Africa. She testified before the UN Commission on Human Rights in April 2004 about the constant brutality suffered by lesbians, gays and transgendered people, which local authorities refused to prosecute. Months after her death, police denied she was raped, deeming the crime motivated by avarice.
But in one of Africa's most homophobic nations, Uganda, a court recently ruled that suppression of LGBTI organizations is unconstitutional. Uganda is one of two nations with constitutional prohibition against same sex marriage, according to Afrol.com.
Moving Forward
Amid rampant and deadly homophobia and heterosexism, global leaders have begun to recognize the importance of acknowledging the human rights of sexual minorities. Those nations and institutions that reject egalitarianism are part of a dying patriarchal culture, as a Better World Order advances the cause of peace and equal rights for all.
The 21st century civil rights movement takes a huge step forward with 66 nations acknowledging basic human rights of the LGBTI community. But, as the Dutch Foreign Minister pointed out, "This doesn't go far enough." It's only the beginning of a struggle for full civil rights. Verhagen understands our plight:
"Even in countries that do not criminalize homosexual acts, gays are often in a very difficult position, accepted for who they are by neither their families nor their government, nor society as a whole.
"They face major obstacles to enjoying their economic, social, and cultural rights. Discrimination, exclusion, and even aggression are never far away. Indeed, the realities of life are harsh for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people."
Wear a white knot ribbon in support of marriage equality, and continue to lobby for change in the US. Dismiss the homophobic rants of the Religious Reich by appealing to their sense of fairness. Educate the public on the brutal history of atrocities committed against sexual minorities. We can never have peace without justice. Teach that when you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others Â- no matter how different they are from you.Â
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