Tendi discusses African myths about homosexuality

Timothy Kincaid

March 23rd, 2010

Blessing-Miles Tendi, writing in the Guardian, examines myths about homosexuality that are commonly believed by Africans and African-Americans.

The standard explanation offered by Africans opposed to gay rights is that homosexuality is alien to their culture and was introduced to Africa by European colonialists. A good deal of African-American homophobia relies on the same justification. But late 19th-century records on Africa and African oral history show that homosexual practices existed in pre-colonial Africa.

Pender

March 24th, 2010

Wow, the evidence shows that that particular African conspiracy theory is incorrect? Next you’ll tell me that white people didn’t invent AIDS to oppress Africa.

Cole

March 24th, 2010

Heterosexuals believe gay people are outsiders. During islamic rule in Spain catholics believed homosexuality was brought in by muslims and a islamic creation. These are very common beliefs among heterosexuals. Mind you gay people are actually insiders to heterosexual culture and heterosexuality since we’ve been surrounded by it from day one.

Regan DuCasse

March 25th, 2010

Good point, Cole. Gay people know more about heterosexuality and heterosexuals…than the other way around.

Once the world’s populations travels were expanded and cultures were less and less exotic to one another, a SINGLE constant was the presence of gay and trans folks in EVERY culture known to man.

This is the one group of human being who SHOULDN’T be looked on as if a stranger, as if someone impossible to see or know.
The opportunity to be informed and allied has always been there.

I hate that phrase “fear of the unknown” when talking about human beings, human traits and existence.

Such a phrase is appropriate about death, God and how we came into being, but not about gay men and women.

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