2022 Year in Review

A 2016 Afrobarometer survey indicates
that whilst African people are, in general,
more tolerant of differing ethnicities and
religious beliefs, this tolerance does not
exist for homosexual behaviour. Some
commentators have labelled Africa the
‘most homophobic continent’, but this risks
ignoring the colonial origins of these
attitudes.
Why is Africa so homophobic?
The prevalence of
homophobia in Africa
traces its roots to the
colonial practices of the
19th and 20th centuries.
Colonisation enforced the
notion that homosexual
behaviour was immoral,
with European empires
implementing
homophobic legislation
and criminal codes
throughout their
colonies. European
colonies enacted
‘sodomy’ laws that sought
to punish ‘immoral’
sexual behaviour.
Prior to colonisation, homosexual
relationships were more widely accepted,
although there were regions where it was
still outlawed (such as those with a strong
religious presence).
Religious identity is another source of
homophobia. The major religions in Africa,
Christianity and Islam, typically have strong
doctrinal anti-gay stances.
P A G E 1 6 9
There is discussion of a breakaway in the
United Methodist Church, with many
African church bodies willing to join a split
with the central, global body over
tolerance to same-sex marriage. The
Christian Association of Nigeria has
threatened any church that tolerates
same-sex relationship with sanctions.
States that implement Sharia law (an
interpretation of Islamic religious law),
such as Somalia and Sudan, also use that
as justification for homophobic legislation.
P H O T O : C N N
Homosexual relations are
also
frequently
characterised as ‘un-
African’. This narrative
argues
that
homosexuality was
introduced to Sub-
Saharan Africa by either
Arabs or Europeans, and
that the promotion of gay
rights is an attempt from
former colonial masters
to maintain control over a
weak continent. Although
this claim has been
disproven, it is commonly
repeated, especially amongst populist
leaders looking to cement votes and
power.
Gay Rights as Human Rights
Conversely, safeguarding the rights of
same-sex couples has become more
prominent in the West, which has resulted
in the occasional and haphazard attempts
at protecting these rights around the
world.