Editor, RE: “Can we stop using the African culture to disguise our prejudices?” (The New Times, July 22). Mr Ntayombya, as usual, was spot on! I may also add...being an advocate for equal rights should be a natural course of things. Whether or not one actually “agrees” with their fellow man/woman’s lifestyle (whether or not it’s a lifestyle is debatable), shouldn’t interfere with their ability to be compassionate, understanding and embracing of those whom society deems unworthy of human dignity. Much as I have a few issues with some of President Barrack Obama’s polices I don’t think he is not out there trying to convince heterosexual people to marry same gender folks. Obama is merely reminding us that the true meaning of a civilized society is measured in its ability to treat its most vulnerable and weakest members. Something Africans knew long before our beloved continent got robbed of its very soul and all we’ve got left with today is a mélange of leftover colonialist beliefs masquerading as African values. Anyone with a clear headed vision understands that most African nations should be less preoccupied with what consenting adults partake in privately and more with the advancement of their respective societies on every level—structurally, politically, socio-economically, etc. The Kenyan protesters should show the same amount of vehemence in tackling those pressing issues. Everything else is just pure posturing. Ali Baba ************* What many Kenyans are against is the attempt to nationalise gay practice. I thought Rwandans were the ones that have been teaching us that we don’t need copy/paste democracy but only that which fits us well, thus winning our admiration. So, if the majority of Kenyans don’t support the practice let them be heard. I do not support a nude protest; this group could actually be arrested at the earliest attempt since it is against the law to go nude. Neither do I understand this thing about “equal rights”— I can bet most gays in Kenya have identification cards, probably a job and have attended school/college... Since it’s a personal choice to be gay, let them keep it to themselves. I would actually say I have seen more hate campaign towards those against gay practice in most debate platforms than vice versa. One spiritual book says, “If it offends your brother to eat meat then it is better not to eat meat”. The majority of Kenyans actually consider gay practice abominable. And, yes, corruption is abominable too. Karisa
