Gay rights are human rights too!

By Daniel Molokele

President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai have recently spoken out against gays and lesbians, seemingly agreeing between them that homosexuals should have no rights under a new constitution.

Their comments made for some sad reading to say the least. The two men’s views represent one of the most outrageous attacks on the sanctity of freedom and democratic values and norms that they both purport to represent and stand for.

It is so disappointing to me that as the nation prepares to celebrate its 30th independence anniversary, we are still having such retrogressive and anachronistic attitudes on the national agenda.

What makes this sad matter even more disheartening to me is that the statements actually diverted everything from the original purpose of the event — a belated commemoration of the International Women’s Day.

Like many other women in the world, especially in the developing countries, Zimbabwean women are born with and face so many unique hardships in their daily lives. As such, this occasion was actually meant to highlight the on-going gender imbalances that continue to undermine women in Zimbabwe both from a political and socio-economic perspective.

What should have been the main headline story should have been how women and children continue to be the most vulnerable societal groupings especially with regards to gender-based violence and HIV and AIDS.

Instead, an issue that was not necessarily relevant for the occasion ended up getting all the limelight. Sadly, this was also done in the name of culture!
What kind of culture is it that does not allow for the promotion of a culture of debate? What kind of culture is it that allows for a culture of marginalising and stigmatising vulnerable minority groups?

What kind of human rights culture is it that does not recognise the fact that human rights are for all?

What makes this matter even more disappointing is that Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was promulgated by all nations under the leadership of the United Nations in December 1948. The declaration is the foundation of all issues related to human rights.

The current constitutional reform process has given Zimbabweans a timely opportunity to engage in an open public debate. In this regard, no one including any politician, be it a President or Prime Minister, has the right to patronise any other Zimbabweans on what matters should be debated or not. All Zimbabweans must given a chance to air their views on any matter – including the issue of gays and lesbians.

As a resident of South Africa, I feel so embarrassed that the 1996 Constitution of my host country has already rendered the very same issue as a non-debate. In terms of the said constitution, the right to sexual orientation has been given full recognition.

Added to that, the Constitutional Court has over the past few years made several landmark rulings that have made the right to sexual orientation a pragmatic and integral part of the South African society. In fact, as from December 2008, the Civil Union Act allowed for same sex marriage partnerships without any conditions.

Culture is dynamic. The world has evolved a lot in the past century. We now live in a global village where it is only logical to expect a diversity and convergence of many cultures. Zimbabwe belongs to us all. It does not matter if we are of different religions, social class, race or ethnic group.

So just like South Africa, we need to give full cognisance to the fact that we are now a rainbow nation. We must learn to celebrate cultural diversity.

It must also be noted that Zimbabwe has adopted a lot of customs that have a distinct western accent including our very own system of governance. A good example is the official opening ceremony of Parliament that is so royally British in nature, so much that it could leave Queen Elizabeth II blushing profusely with envious admiration!

But what is even more crucial is the simple fact that one of the rallying cries of the liberation struggle was FREEDOM. Many people sacrificed their lives so that all Zimbabweans can have freedom of choice.

But as we celebrate our 30th independence anniversary, it is so ironic that those who spent so many years in detention and in exile are now determined to ensure that other Zimbabweans never get that chance to enjoy that very same freedom they were so prepared so much to die for!

Everyone who is a Zimbabwean must not be denied their birthright to freely express themselves and choose whatever lifestyle they want to pursue in their own social space.

As a nation, we must use the current constitutional reform process to ensure that all the presently isolated and marginalised minority groups are brought back into the mainstream of the national discourse.

It just does not matter. Zimbabwe belongs to us all!

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