This week raising concerns over growing homophobia, two high-profile cases involving a suspected gay couple and a homosexual rights activist come back-to-back in Zambian courts.
What Drives Homosexuality? Epigenetics? Not Genetics?
Epigenetics – how gene expression is regulated by temporary switches, called epi-marks – appears to be a critical and overlooked factor contributing to the long-standing
Epigenetics – how gene expression is regulated by temporary switches, called epi-marks – appears to be a critical and overlooked factor contributing to the long-standing
Zambia's laws have outlawed same-sex relationships since colonialism under Britain, and a sodomy conviction carries a 14-year prison sentence.
Yet these are the first such cases in recent history in the southern African country amid an increasingly anti-gay climate.
Italian Scientist Claims Vaccines Make Children Turn Towards Homosexuality
An Italian scientist, who is a proponent of alternative medicine, has come out with a bizarre claim that vaccines can turn people to homosexuality.
An Italian scientist, who is a proponent of alternative medicine, has come out with a bizarre claim that vaccines can turn people to homosexuality.
"There will be no such discussion on gay rights. That issue is foreign to this country," he said.
Outrage as New App Promises to Free Users from Bondage of Homosexuality
A new app has sparked criticism after claiming to offer a 60-day gay cure that will teach users how to finally find freedom from the bondage of homosexuality.
A new app has sparked criticism after claiming to offer a 60-day gay cure that will teach users how to finally find freedom from the bondage of homosexuality.
International Fellowship of Christian Churches (IFCC) president Simon Chihana said gay rights should not be allowed in Zambia.
"Such acts are abomination," he said.
"The government should not even think of allowing such, no matter the pressures from the international community or whoever," he added.
Local media have taken up the issue and gay rights have also become a hot topic around ordinary Zambians, though the reasons for the recent crackdown are unclear.
But gay Africans' plight is not limited to Zambia.
Neighbouring Uganda's parliament is considering a bill that will make homosexuality punishable by death.
President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe to the south famously branded gays "worse than pigs and dogs".
Malawi, another neighbouring country, in 2010 jailed a gay couple for 14 years for celebrating their wedding.
Then president Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned the two men, but branded their union "satanic".
Since his death in 2012 Malawi has frozen anti-gay laws under new President Joyce Banda pending a parliamentary debate.
South Africa is the only African country where gay marriage is legal, but the right seems to be a preserve of the rich.
Homosexuals have been murdered in its impoverished townships.
Now in Zambia rights activists like Andrew Ntewewe note the increased threats with concern.
"From what is happening, it's clear that we are an intolerant nation to individuals with different sexual orientation," said Ntewewe, who heads the organisation Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
"The rights of every individual should be respected irrespective of colour, religion, tribe or sexual orientation," he added.
Kasonkomona's arrest raised the ire of rights groups who call for his immediate release. He has pleaded not guilty to soliciting for immoral purposes.
The suspected gay couple are back in the dock on Wednesday. They were granted bail after an initial arrest, but detained a second time days later following accusations they had had intercourse again.
They have pleaded not guilty to having "carnal knowledge against the order of nature", and plan to challenge the constitutionality of their case when they appear in court in Kapiri Mposhi, 210 kilometres (130 miles) north of the capital Lusaka.
Human rights activist Josab Changa said locking away pro-gay activists or those involved in same-sex relationships was "infringement" on their rights.
"Human rights should be respected irrespective of the perceived evil that somebody may do," said Changa.
Source-AFP
