A world of contrasts regarding gay rights
on A Serendipitous Journey (Kenya), 15/Feb/2010 10:26, 34 days ago
Near the coastal town of Mombasa, last week two men planned to marry, sparking outrage from many members of the community. The proposed union made newspaper headlines, was the topic of morning radio call-in shows in Nairobi and resulted in suspected gay men being tracked down and beaten or arrested. In Kenya, (as in all countries in Africa except South Africa) it is illegal to be homosexual, although I’m told a ‘blind eye’ is often paid and arrests are very rare. The wedding did not take place and the men, along with 3 others, were arrested pending a “a medical examination before (they are charged) with homosexuality". (1)Meanwhile, in Canada today the headlines cite a gay mayoral candidate from Toronto who, together with his husband, is planning to adopt a baby boy. (2) If were completely a non-issue this wouldn’t be newsworthy, but it still demonstrates the incredible contrast in public views and policy related to homosexuality in these two countries.(1)http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8512928.stm(2)http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100214/national/smitherman_adoption