Freedom of Behaviour: A big Issue

It was the other evening when I was walking the streets with an uncle, when a youthful couple in front of us suddenly fell into each other’s arms and obscenely kissed in broad daylight! I pretended not to notice but my aged uncle was already cursing in our dialect asking me if this was what “amajyambere” or development was all about. I attempted to elaborate to him how in the modern society people are free to behave as they wish so long as they are of age and are not offending anyone or the law. I did not know that he had been following news and was surprised when he told me that the Rwandan constitution was contemplating not setting a law that punishes homosexual activities and that “we were doomed.” I thought he had no way of knowing that there were groups in Rwanda advocating for gay rights but to my shock he was updated. I remembered a group of young lesbians who had been moving around with their adult representative campaigning for their rights and intentions to form a lesbian association. I wondered whether the young girls knew what they were into. Do not get me wrong, I am not against the Human rights movement and advocacy for minority groups but I am just wondering how we are suddenly going to incorporate homosexuality into our African societies that are still hinged on tradition and religion. Gay activists argue that it is not fair to restrain people from fulfilling their ‘natural’ desires but I wonder whether they are born that way or influenced by external factors. A study of sexual orientation in twins, both identical and fraternal, revealed that genetics alone cannot cause sexual orientation, but they do play a part. I had a hunch that homosexuality was adopted from the west and that it is one of the effects of modernisation. However research proves me wrong, homosexuality indeed existed in traditional Africa but was unheard of because it was considered a crime that sometimes deserved capital punishment! However due to the rampant liberalisation process and human rights movement, our constitutions are now under pressure to adopt the freedom of sexual orientation. My only worry is that such freedoms will give the go ahead to sexual offenders and sick adults that take advantage of minors and do unimaginable things to them. Our constitutions will have to come up with other laws to protect minors. The fact that we are still developing does not help us, as most boarding and accommodation facilities are still shared by same sex users like in schools, hospitals and prisons. If homosexuality is endorsed, then gay rape and defilement not to mention promiscuity and immorality will be on the rise. This may increase the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. Fortunately there will be little need for birth control. Even if there is a way of controlling all this, I am sure the likes of my old fashioned uncle will not warm up to the idea! muvunyim@yahoo.com