Escolar Documentos
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Cultura Documentos
(cc) 2017
Contents
Acknowledgements.................................................................................. 01
Introduction............................................................................................. 03
Reporting Resolution................................................................................ 07
Trainee Stories.......................................................................................... 65
Regional trainers Brian Pellot, Debra Mason, and Selly Thiam brought the
workshop to fruition, and guest speakers Layla Al-Zubaidi, Muhsin Hen-
dricks, Zachary Akani Shimange, Liberty Matthyse Glenton, Ecclesia de
Lange, Bulelwa Panda, Teboho Klaas, Azila Reisenberger, Pharie Sefali,
and Zethu Matebini added valuable insight. We thank individuals at St.
George’s Cathedral, Gardens Shul, and Auwal Masjid for welcoming us
into their houses of worship.
INTRODUCTION
In Sub-Saharan Africa, as in much of the and debated issues around news value
world, reporting on sexual orientation, gen- and public interest. We started the week
der identity and gender expression (SOGIE) as strangers and ended it as friends, com-
can be tricky. Cultural taboos, entrenched mitted to helping one another improve
stereotypes, social hostilities, legal prohibi- coverage of sexual and gender minorities
tions and editorial censorship often distort & religion in Sub-Saharan Africa.
coverage of these sensitive topics. Add reli-
gion to the mix and producing responsible This guide summarizes the key topics dis-
journalism on sexual and gender minorities cussed at the Cape Town workshop and
can seem impossible. provides readers a trove of resources and
sources to enhance their own coverage of
In November 2016, Religion News these issues. It also includes final versions
Foundation set out to show that ethical and of trainees’ stories, which originated
sensitive coverage of marginalized individ- during the workshop and evolved in the
uals and communities is not only possible weeks that followed under Religion News
but necessary. To this end, we assembled Foundation’s editorial guidance and
24 professional journalists and editors rep- support. To read more of the trainees’
resenting 15 countries across Sub-Saharan stories, visit: http://religionnews.com/
Africa for a four-day reporting workshop in tag/lgbtqi-religion-africa/.
Cape Town, South Africa.
REPORTING
RESOLUTION
In Sub-Saharan Africa, sexual and gender put biases aside and to embrace the core
minorities remain disadvantaged, stigma- teachings of our profession.
tized and excluded from many aspects of
economic, political and social life. Alarm- The following reporting resolution,
ing levels of discrimination, prejudice and drafted as a group exercise at the end of
violence make these often marginalized the Cape Town training, reflects some of
and misunderstood individuals and com- the best practices journalists identified to
munities particularly vulnerable to human improve coverage of sexual and gender
rights violations. minorities & religion. It serves as a useful
starting point and summary of what’s to
As journalists, we have the power to come in this reporting guide.
replace dehumanizing stereotypes with
nuanced and accurate portrayals of perse-
cuted minorities. Doing so requires us to
Trainees visit Auwal Masjid in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. Photo by Brian Pellot.
02. Avoid mentioning faith affiliation 12. Take all measures possible to pro-
or SOGIE status when such infor- vide anonymity when necessary to
mation is not directly relevant to protect the safety and security of
a story. individuals and communities.
03. Carefully consider word choice 13. Practice the qualities of responsi-
and framing around sexual and ble, ethical journalism by mini-
gender minorities and followers mizing harm and avoiding
of different faiths. Use sources’ hearsay and rumor.
preferred terminology when
appropriate. 14. Encourage diversity in our
newsrooms.
04. Allow marginalized people to
speak for themselves and in their 15. Ensure that our personal beliefs
own voices. and biases do not influence the
objectivity of our reporting or limit
05. Strive to include moderate voices the topics we cover. If our beliefs
in our reporting, not just the somehow make covering a story
extremes. impossible, we should pass it onto
a colleague.
ETHICAL
HUMAN RIGHTS
REPORTING
PRINCIPLES
A Reporting Guide for Journalists 07
Ethical Human Rights
Reporting Principles
01. The content and form of speech 05. The objectives of the speech
Before journalists can weigh whether to It’s important to remember that journal-
publish potentially offensive material, ists do not enjoy absolute freedom of
they first need to learn what different expression. We all face legal and ethical
groups consider offensive and how they limits on our reporting, and our profes-
might react. Consult local faith leaders sion’s harm limitation principle should be
and SOGIE activists and check out carefully considered when determining
ReligionLink’s various reporting guides to how to handle potentially offensive
ensure that your language is accurate and speech. Different media outlets will arrive
nuanced. at different conclusions in this balancing
act. Whatever rationale shapes such deci-
The five-point tests above can help sions, basic news values should trump
you calculate whether source quotes fear of causing offense.
that some readers consider offensive
are likely to prompt violence or actual For more resources and sources on
harm. Sources who resort to sensational ethical human rights reporting principles
rhetoric, hateful slurs or dehumanizing and hate speech, visit: http://www.
stereotypes should be ignored or chal- religionlink.com/source-guides/cover-
ing-and-avoiding-religious-hate-speech/.
Prince Appiah interviews Kwasi, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, near
Kumasi, Ghana in January 2017.
KEY SOGIE
TERMINOLOGY
Before reaching out to sources, it’s The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists
important to familiarize yourself with the Association’s Stylebook Supplement on
relevant terminology that tends to come Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender
up in conversations about sexual orien- Terminology is intended to complement
tation, gender identity and expression the Associated Press stylebook and those
(SOGIE). Knowing that LGBTQI+ stands of individual newsrooms.
for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, intersex and more (+) is just the tip The Gender Spectrum Guide to Gender
of the iceberg. Not every SOGIE minority Terminology explains non-binary gender
chooses to use these terms and labels. notions and includes relevant terminology.
Rather than trying to fit sources into
particular identity categories, allow them The Center for Integration and Improve-
to use their own vocabulary, and describe ment of Journalism’s Diversity Style Guide
them as such in your reporting when has an LGBTQ glossary of relevant terms.
appropriate. For some of the terms you’re
likely to encounter in your reporting,
reference the following glossaries:
Homosexual/
Someone whose predominant attraction is to the same sex.
Gay:
Men who have sex with men. They may or may not identify as
MSM:
gay or bisexual.
Indicates sexual desires that are more fluid than sexual orienta-
tion. Someone may have a sexual preference for people who
Sexual
are tall, short, slim or curvaceous, for instance, or prefer certain
preference:
sexual practices. See GLAAD usage notes about this term
below.
Women who have sex with women. They may not identify as
WSW:
lesbian or bisexual.
The GLAAD Media Reference Guide - 10th Edition elaborates on some of these
definitions in its Terms to Avoid section, which has been adapted and repub-
lished below.
OFFENSIVE PREFERRED
The term “sexual preference” is typically Sexual orientation is the accurate descrip-
used to suggest that being attracted to the tion of an individual’s enduring physical,
same sex is a choice and therefore can and romantic, and/or emotional attraction to
should be “cured.” members of the same and/or opposite sex
and is inclusive of lesbians, gay men, bisex-
uals, and queer people, as well as straight
men and women (see AP, Reuters, & New
York Times Style).
The criteria for using these derogatory terms should be the same as those applied to vulgar
epithets used to target other groups: they should not be used except in a direct quote that
reveals the bias of the person quoted. So that such words are not given credibility in the
media, it is preferred that reporters say, “The person used a derogatory word for a lesbian/
gay/bisexual/transgender/queer person.”
The notion that being LGBTQ is a psychological disorder was discredited by the American
Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association in the 1970s. Today,
words such as “deviant,” “diseased” and “disordered” often are used to portray LGBTQ
people as less than human, mentally ill, or as a danger to society. Words such as these
should be avoided in stories about the LGBTQ community. If they must be used, they
should be quoted directly in a way that clearly reveals the bias of the person being quoted.
Being LGBTQ is neither synonymous with, nor indicative of, any tendency toward pedo-
philia, child abuse, sexual abuse, bestiality, bigamy, polygamy, adultery and/or incest.
Such claims, innuendoes and associations often are used to insinuate that LGBTQ people
pose a threat to society, to families, and to children in particular. Such assertions and insin-
uations are defamatory and should be avoided, except in direct quotes that clearly reveal
the bias of the person quoted.
For guidance on religion-related terminology, check out the Religion Stylebook, an easy-to-use
guide created for journalists who report on religion in the mainstream media. It’s an indepen-
dent supplement to The Associated Press Stylebook and is a service of the Religion News
Association. It can be found at religionstylebook.com .
SORTING SOGIE
MYTHS FROM
FACTS
A Reporting Guide for Journalists 25
Sorting SOGIE Myths
from Facts
One of our most vital roles as journalists parental custody, housing discrimination,
is sorting fact from fiction. Audiences rely employment discrimination, educational
on us to help them distinguish factual discrimination, healthcare discrimination,
truths from mythical falsehoods. With mental health issues, suicide attempts,
fake news dominating Facebook feeds homelessness…the list goes on.
and Twitter streams, real, accurate, factual Below you’ll find a mix of common SOGIE
news has never been more important. myths and facts. Cover the right column
with your hand or a piece of paper and
Because SOGIE issues are sometimes read each statement on the left from top
considered taboo, myths around to bottom, revealing and learning more
sexual and gender minorities often go about its myth or fact status as you go.
unchecked and unchallenged, even
in mainstream media reports. News
examples in the “How NOT to Report on The following myth and fact statements
SOGIE” section of this guide show some were inspired by and partially adapted
of the sensational and false stereotypes from a reporting guide produced by
that are carelessly or maliciously recycled GALA. The right column explanations are
in regional and global reporting. original to this guide:
Queer people are capable of having Fact: Look for examples in your commu-
healthy, long-term relationships nity and abroad.
Sexual and gender minorities often face Fact: Consult local and international
higher rates of violence and discrimina- human rights groups and authorities for
tion than the general population statistics.
Gay men are more likely to abuse Myth: Consult credible local and inter-
children national statistics.
Scientists still don’t know what causes a Fact: Theories abound, but none have
person’s sexual orientation been decisively proven.
People become queer from hanging out Myth: Sexual and gender diversity is not
with other queer people contagious.
RELIGION
REPORTING
TIPS
30 A Reporting Guide for Journalists
Religion Reporting Tips
SOURCE
SAFETY AND
SENSITIVITY
34 A Reporting Guide for Journalists
Source Safety and Sensitivity
Journalists have a duty to allow marginal- outlets handle such requests and suggest
ized people to speak for themselves and that your newsroom follow suit.
in their own voices. We also have a duty
to minimize harm, which means doing
everything we can to protect the safety The Samir Kassir Foundation’s Journalist
and security of the sources and communi- Survival Guide offers the following tips on
ties we spotlight in our coverage. protecting source identity:
TIPS FOR
REPORTING ON
TABOO TOPICS
A Reporting Guide for Journalists 39
Tips for Reporting on
Taboo Topics
HOW TO
REPORT ON
SOGIE ISSUES
42 A Reporting Guide for Journalists
How to Report on SOGIE Issues
Although some of these points are gence when researching stories. Quote
covered in other sections of this reporting reliable data whenever possible.
guide, it may be useful to review an
adapted version of the Gay and Lesbian
Coalition of Kenya’s guidelines for report- 3. STEER AWAY FROM MELO-
ing on SOGIE issues. The original version DRAMATIC AND SENSATION-
is available in GALCK’s 2016 media ALIZED DEPICTIONS
toolkit SOGIE 101 for the Kenyan Media
Professional. Always evaluate whether your story is in
the public interest. Are you doing the
story to stir emotions, or will it improve
1. THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT
knowledge and livelihoods? Sensation-
OF THE COVERAGE ON YOUR
alized depictions are often full of false
AUDIENCE
or exaggerated information and lead to
the public being misinformed, which
SOGIE-related stories have an effect on can have long-lasting effects and serious
the SOGIE community and on society security implications for the SOGIE
at large. Like any other topic, journalists community. A professional journalist must
should be aware that their stories have an question the motives of different sources
effect on how the SOGIE community is before offering them a platform.
treated, and that their words can have a
positive and negative effect on people.
4. AIM FOR SENSITIVE
COVERAGE
2. AVOID OVERSIMPLIFICATION
OF THE ISSUES
Coverage of SOGIE issues should reflect
the true state of the community, and the
SOGIE issues are highly diverse and use of sensational or abusive language
are seldom black and white. Journalists should be avoided. Grant people from
should take care and perform due dili- the SOGIE community anonymity when
HOW NOT TO
REPORT ON
SOGIE ISSUES
A Reporting Guide for Journalists 45
How NOT to Report on
SOGIE Issues
Most of this guide focuses on best prac- Here are some common tropes and pitfalls
tices, but it’s worth flagging some prob- to avoid when reporting on SOGIE issues:
lematic reporting examples we’ve come
across so that you can avoid replicating
the same mistakes. 1. DON’T LET ISOLATED OUT-
LIERS SPEAK FOR ENTIRE
Sloppy or sensational reporting on COMMUNITIES
sensitive issues can cause real harm to
vulnerable communities, harm that can
lead to discrimination or violence. In
Headline: “Men made me
October 2010, the Ugandan tabloid
Rolling Stone published an article with the a lesbian after raping me
headline “100 PICTURES OF UGANDA’S three times” - The Stan-
TOP HOMOS LEAK” alongside the cap- dard, Kenya, January 17,
tion “Hang Them”. Three months later, 2013
Ugandan LGBTI rights activist David Kato
was murdered.
In this story from Nairobi, a lesbian
While normal standards of good journalism attributes her sexual orientation to sexual
obviously apply to covering SOGIE issues, violence. Few sexual minorities would
be extra careful about your framing and pre- agree with this parallel, but absent any
sentation. If sources you interview demon- other voices in the article, the subject’s
ize or dehumanize individuals or entire controversial claim stands as authori-
communities, consult the hate speech and tative testimony. While the subject is
dangerous speech tests outlined in the certainly entitled to her belief, it should
Ethical Human Rights Reporting Principles be balanced by a range of opinions and
section of this guide. Your job as a journalist testimonies so that readers are not left
is to present fair and accurate portraits of to falsely believe that sexual violence
people in your community. Don’t let your dictates sexual orientation.
own biases or those of the loudest or most
extreme voices dictate your coverage.
Headline: “I’m your dad, For more advice on what NOT to do,
he’s your papa” - Daily Na- see GLAAD’s “Terms to Avoid” in the
Key SOGIE Terminology section of this
tion, Kenya, May 22, 2012 guide.
FAITH LEADERS’
PERSPECTIVES
Nokuthula Mbete, who works for the Quaker Peace Center and
is a traditional healer and a pastor, said some parents assumed
that a child who disclosed that he or she was gay or lesbian was
“bewitched” and that the family had been cursed. The children
were sent to traditional healers “to reverse the curse and heal the
child from the homophobic disease.”
TRAINEE
STORIES
Serge says he was attacked at his apart- Article 347-1 prescribes fines of up to
ment in October 2015. 200,000 Central African Francs (about
$320) and prison terms of up to five years
“When we got to the gendarmerie, the for anyone who has sexual relations with
attacker admitted he wanted to kill me someone of the same sex.
because I was gay and claimed I was
having sex with his younger brother,” Emmanuel Mbanmi Ndinga, a member
Serge said. “The following day, I was of parliament in Cameroon’s Northwest
shocked. A TV crew from the CRTV Province, says not everything in interna-
national broadcaster was brought in, tional conventions or charters should be
and I was in the news. During a chamber implemented in local law.
hearing, the judge insisted I was gay and
When people are charged under Article Cardinal Christian Tumi, archbishop
347-1, it becomes difficult to find lawyers emeritus of Douala, has on several
willing to defend them publicly. Some occasions reminded congregants that his
even abandon court proceedings mid- church does not excommunicate sexual
trial due to scrutiny and stigma. minorities. He insists that all humans sin
and that homosexuality should not be
CAMFAID has recorded 50 arrests under singled out as a bigger sin than others.
Article 347-1 since 2012. In late-Novem-
ber 2016, gendarmerie officers raided In a 2015 interview with the Catholic
a house in Yaounde and arrested 12 Church newspaper L’Effort Camerounais,
suspected sexual and gender minorities Tumi said, “In imitation of Christ, the
who were living together. Church has never condemned a sinner.”
Although Cameroon’s sexual and gender Freedom House reported that Lemem-
minorities face stigmatization, verbal be’s “neck and feet had been broken and
aggression and criminalization, Evina says his face, hands and feet had been burnt
local human rights advocates have suc- with a hot iron.” The killing, according to
cessfully improved their access to health the American NGO, was a demonstration
facilities and services. of ignorance, prejudice and laws that
deny LGBTI people in Cameroon their
fundamental rights.
“We sensitize prison wardens and
medics on the health needs of the
Cameroon’s Communication Minister Issa
community. At times, gay persons go to
Tchiroma held a press conference and
Here we profile leaders and allies of the Brian believes there is no fundamental dif-
Ugandan LGBTI community who have ference between heterosexual and homo-
kept their faith when religious leaders sexual relationships as long as both are
disowned them. built on love. According to this preacher,
God doesn’t focus on gender or sexuality
but rather on the human being.
BRIAN BYAMUKAMA
Being a religious leader and open advo-
cate for the rights of sexual minorities has
not always been easy for Brian.
MOST RELIGIOUS
LEADERS IN
UGANDA CONSIDER
Brian Byamukama-Executive Director for SAME-SEX
Rural Movement Initiative (RUMI) and pastor RELATIONS EVIL.
and founder of Bethany Baptist Church in
Mbale, Uganda. Photo by Barigye Ambrose
“[Uganda] has become a dumping site for
on 1 January 2017 in Mbale.
hate propaganda from the West. That is
why most religious fundamentalists have
Brian Byamukama is a pastor at Bethany
brought their anti-gay gospel to Africa.
Baptist Church in Mbale district, Eastern
These [fundamentalists] do not solely hold
Uganda, and a human rights defender
the blame. Our systems also are partly to
who works on LGBTI issues. He is the
blame for allowing people like Scott Lively
founder and Executive Director of Rural
to come and sow their seeds of hate in
Movement Initiative (RUMI) an organiza-
our country, pushing for the persecution of
tion protecting marginalized people in
LGBTI people.”
Mbale district. Brian is an out bisexual
man married to a woman, with whom he
Scott Lively, president of Abiding Truth
has one daughter.
Ministries in California, has advanced
anti-gay agendas in different countries
Brian says the persecution of fellow LGBTI
around the world, including Uganda.
Ugandans prompted him to come out
as a human rights advocate. He believes
Brian also notes the effect of Ugandan
that many LGBTI Ugandans have run away
mainstream media’s negative reporting
from their faith communities because they
Rev. Patrick Leuben Mukajanga, founder “Because of the nature of my work and my
and executive director of St. Paul’s Voice openness while advocating for the rights
Centre of Uganda (SPAVOC). Photo by of LGBTI people, I have suffered many
Barigye Ambrose at LGBTI Pride 2015 in forms of discrimination from my immedi-
Entebbe, Uganda. ate neighbors. I have kept strong despite
these challenges.”.
Rev. Patrick Leuben Mukajanga is the
founder and executive director of Ugandan media has been known to out and
Saint Paul’s Voice Centre of Uganda shame people suspected of being LGBTI.
(SPAVOC), a Christian-based NGO Some tabloids have printed the names,
that partners with local and interna- faces, and addresses of such people
tional organizations to fight against alongside sensational headlines, inciting
the discrimination of LGBTI people in public violence against sexual minorities.
Uganda. Patrick is an out gay advocate Targeted Ugandans have been disowned
for the rights of sexual minorities and a by their families, evicted, fired from their
Christian who has dedicated his life to jobs and kicked out of school. Facing verbal
preaching the gospel of love to those and physical attacks, many LGBTI Ugandans
that feel abandoned because of their have sought asylum abroad.
sexual orientation and gender identity.
He went into hiding for six weeks, avoid- Essendi said her circle of friends also
ing the streets of Bamburi and Bombolulu accepted her.
in Mombasa County where people had
threatened to beat and kill him. “In my eyes, I am one of the luckiest
SOGIE [sexual orientation, gender
“Finally, my dad and I settled our differ- identity and expression] persons living
ences. After accepting me, he promised in Kenya to have such an accepting and
to pay my school fees, and I’m happy to supportive family,” she said.
be back home,” he said.
But problems arose when she joined a
Eric advises other sexual and gender religious college in Karen, Nairobi County.
minorities to come out as early as possi-
ble to someone close to their family who
can help explain the situation to other
concerned relatives.
GICHURU SAID THE
MORE KENYANS
“I would also like to ask the community
not to discriminate against us. They
UNDERSTANDS
should understand that one does not THAT HOMOSEXU-
wake up in the morning and decide to be
gay,” he added.
ALITY IS A SEXUAL
ORIENTATION, THE
Louisa Essendi, 27, a lesbian in Mombasa,
says her mother learned of Essendi’s
EASIER IT WILL
sexual orientation at the age of 18. BECOME FOR SEX-
“Being a single parent, raising three
UAL MINORITIES
children, with a minimum paying job, TO BE ACCEPTED IN
trying to acquire funds to get me into
college. This is not a truth she wanted
SOCIETY.
to deal with then,” Essendi remembers.
“Coming out is a very personal initiative. She said the process was very natural
One has to closely analyze their context because she knew she was attracted
before making that step,” she said. to women.
“However, that doesn’t mean that those
who have not yet come out cannot be “The idea of getting intimate with a man
themselves. They absolutely can. It is freaks me out, and I’m so happy that my
the violence perpetuated by our Kenyan family was supportive meeting my partner
brothers and sisters towards our commu- for the first time,” she said.
nity that limits all the rights we have as
human beings and Kenyan citizens.” Evans Gichuru, board chairman for the
Mtwapa Initiative for Positive Empower-
Essendi’s case is similar to that of Mary’s, ment, works to sensitize Kenyans to sexual
whose name has been changed to pro- orientation and gender identity issues.
tect her identity.
“Homosexuality is not a bad behavior as
Mary calls herself a “super lesbian” and perceived by the society, it’s an orienta-
said it was easy to come out two years tion. The community should also under-
ago because she was only living with her stand that people are born gay,” he said.
mother. She opened up to her mother
through a friend who is a psychologist. Gichuru said the more Kenyans understand
that homosexuality is a sexual orientation,
“My mom’s friend was very under-
the easier it will become for sexual minori-
standing, and I felt I could trust her
ties to be accepted in society.
with how I feel towards my fellow
ladies,” Mary said.
Ishmael Bahati, legal advocacy officer at
the Mombasa-based LGBTI rights group
She advises those who have not come
out to take their time and to start by tell- Persons Marginalized and Aggrieved,
ing people they trust, as not everyone advises sexual and gender minorities
will be supportive. to develop emotional intelligence
and financial independence and to try
“People should not be judged because to maintain good relationships with
of being gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans- friends and family despite fears of being
gender,” Mary said. “I always go by the ridiculed or rejected.
saying, ‘you only know my name, not
my story.’” Mkamburi Mwawasi is a journalist based
in Kenya.
Winnie, whose name has been changed
to protect her identity, said coming out
He has never faced a reporter before Precious’s case is not an isolated one
but seems eager to share a personal – many LGBT Malawians face similar
story he rarely talks about in a society discrimination and hostility when seeking
where people like him are often consid- health care at public and private facilities
ered outcasts. in the country.
“I realized I was gay at the age of 14 while CEDEP, an organization that works to
Bree, who identifies as queer and Chris- The pastor laid hands on Bree and her
tian, had been grappling with reconciling girlfriend. Believing they were entranced
her faith and sexuality for most of her life. in spirit, the women rolled on the ground
Growing up in a conservative community and were surrounded by ministers.
in Lagos where the two identities were
considered mutually exclusive, her sense “It was intense, and I was hopeful this was
of God’s disapproval and abandon-
it, maybe we had been cured. I needed
ment had taken its toll. Her meandering
to not be gay anymore,” Bree said of the
from unstable to abusive relationships
experience.
reinforced a belief that her queerness
was wrong and something that would
After a tearful breakup from her partner
continually punish her.
following the deliverance session, they
got back together a week later, both
exhausted from acting “healed.”
I WOULDN’T TALK
TO A PROFES- “I finally had a conversation with God
saying that if this is who I am, ‘you made
SIONAL ABOUT IT, me, then you fix me,’” Bree said.
BECAUSE I’M NOT
Bree says one of the burdens religious
GOING TO HAVE exorcism places on sexual minorities is
SOMEONE VALI- the need to perform. She reminds herself
DATE NEGATIVE to switch feminine pronouns to masculine
ones when discussing past relationships
FEELINGS. with work colleagues and when writing
on her blog. Once, when a colleague
Bree said her deep-seated distrust of Makanjuola believes the law validates
Nigeria’s mental health system prevented existing social prejudices.
her from seeking professional help when
“Any harassment and persecution based An intersex rights group says operations
carried out in Uganda are unnecessary
on sexual orientation is a monumental
and sometimes botched, advising
tragedy and also a violation of interna- parents to wait until after children have
tional human rights law,” he said. reached puberty before making any
decisions on surgery.
Cape Town-based Imam Muhsin Hendricks To support SOGIE minorities who feel
founded The Inner Circle 20 years ago in his invalidated or rejected by their religious
garage as a safe space for queer Muslims. communities, inclusive prayer and wor-
RNS photo by Brian Pellot. ship spaces have emerged in Cape Town
to help reconcile the rifts between faith,
QUEER INCLUSIVE PRAYER sexuality and gender identity/expression.
SPACES IN CAPE TOWN Here are three such spaces, one for each
of the major Abrahamic faiths:
AUTHOR: Cara Mazzola
GOOD HOPE METROPOLITAN
Even in Africa’s “gay capital,” sexual and COMMUNITY CHURCH, CAPE
gender minorities can feel invalidated or TOWN CITY CENTER
rejected by religious communities. Here
are three inclusive prayer spaces in Cape
Town that work to reconcile rifts between Good Hope Metropolitan Commu-
faith, sexuality and gender identity. nity Church (GHMCC) bills itself as a
“theologically progressive and inclusive
CAPE TOWN, South Africa—Many Christian community founded on the
governments and religious institutions principles of Jesus Christ that celebrates
around the world share a legacy of ten- diversity in a safe environment.”
sion with and towards sexual and gender
minorities. In at least 72 countries, les- “The desire of Good Hope Metropolitan
bian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Community Church is that there will no
and/or intersex (LGBTQI+) relationships longer be a need for that safe space of
and identities are punishable by law, worship because other denominations
sometimes even by death. will have become more embracing and
celebratory of the entirety of a person
Despite legal prohibitions across much and of respectful consenting relationships
of Africa, South Africa stands alone as the between people,” Senior Pastor Rev.
only country on the continent to recognize Beulah Dürrheim said.
“It’s like inviting somebody for dinner They are encouraged to take up leader-
and, as they arrive, you slam the door ship roles and to lead prayer.
in their face,” said Groote Kerk minister
Riaan de Villiers about the DRC’s reversal. “Most other mosques in Cape Town
are very conservative, especially when
Despite what many consider to be a it comes to separation of genders,” a
step backward in the fight for equal congregant at the People’s Mosque
rights, congregations from various who wished not to be named said.
Christian denominations, including “Even though some of them are good at
the Dutch Reformed Church itself, engaging in discourse [around] sociopo-
continue to stand in solidarity with the litical analysis, queer politics, capitalism,
LGBTQI+ community. sexuality, I don’t think they implement
it as fully as TIC.”
“Some people managed to fill up the
Under Zambia’s Penal Code, any person Both activists and the council are
In December 2012, a witch-hunt ensued “I was lucky. I think it’s because of how
at Kwasi’s school when another student emotionally I spoke the truth, that is
came out and was forced to identify why I was spared in the mass dismissal,
fellow gay students. because innocent people were also
dismissed,” he said.
A long list of names was pasted on the
school notice board under the heading, The Ghana Education Service Discipline
“Due for Dismissal; Report to the Disci- Code for Students stipulates that students
plinary Committee as soon as possible.” who are found guilty of “sexual miscon-
duct” should be summarily dismissed.
Then 19, second-year student Charles,
whose name has been changed to The 2016 case of Barima, 17, and Osei,
protect his identity, was fourth on the list. 19, two close friends at Opoku Ware
Surprised, he walked into the committee Senior High School in Kumasi whose
room gripped with fear but confident he names have been changed to protect
would be absolved because he had not their identities, demonstrates the damage
“On the day we were summoned [for “If they are accused and you dismiss
our disciplinary hearing], we denied all them, you are not helping them express
charges, but school authorities com- themselves. Therefore, they get to con-
pelled us to say, ‘yes, we’re gay,’ in order clude that they are not welcomed in this
to avoid being beaten to a pulp by the world,” he said.
boys. They claimed it was our confes-
sion,” Barima said. Okyere is also executive director at SEAT
OF GRACE, a pastoral and counseling
“The authorities did not even enquire to NGO that tries to convert sexual minorities
get evidence before they asked us to stay to heterosexual orientations, a controversial
home for two weeks, which ended up and potentially harmful practice.
extended to two months,” Osei added.
Still, he suggests the discipline code be
Both students said the incident’s emotional revised to accept lesbian, gay, bisexual,
trauma and their lengthy suspensions nega- transgender and intersex (LGBTI) students
tively affected their exam performance. and provide guidance to assist them emo-
tionally rather than demonizing them.
“We suffered stigma. It hurt me a lot
because our final exam was approaching. “Education is holistic, teachers are
Even in class, people didn’t want to sit by supposed to help students in and outside
you. Learning became difficult because the classroom. I think that particular piece
you have to stay home. Some of our must be reviewed. A regulation that is
geared towards reforming students must
friends still don’t talk to us,” Osei said.
be applied,” he advocated.
“It was very bad because school author-
Alberta Agnes Tardie, a senior tutor
ities asked us to go home without allow-
at Opoku Ware Senior High School in
ing us to take any books along. We were
Kumasi, describes local guidance and
not allowed to go to our rooms to take
counseling systems as “weak and use-
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
AND READINGS
A Reporting Guide for Journalists 103
Additional Resources
and Readings
SUB-SAHARAN
SOURCE GUIDE
For the most up-to-date source informa- and to encourage collaboration with
tion, visit religionlink.com/source-guides/ queer members of the local, national and
lgbtqi-religion-africa/. international Muslim community. Contact
Imam Muhsin Hendricks: admin@thein-
nercircle.org.za, muhsin@theinnercircle.
SOUTHERN AFRICA: org.za, +27 21 761 0037.
• Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM): • Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action
IAM, based in Cape Town, works as (GALA): GALA is a center for LGB-
a catalyst for full inclusion of LGBTI TI culture and education based in
people within mainstream churches in Johannesburg. Its mission is to act as a
Southern Africa and for the celebration catalyst for the production, preserva-
of diversity within religious contexts. tion and dissemination of knowledge
IAM raises awareness of diversity on the history, culture and contempo-
regarding sexual orientation and faith rary experiences of LGBTI people in
interpretation, encouraging people to Africa. GALA’s archival collections can
re-examine their beliefs and attitude be viewed by appointment. Contact
towards homosexuality and engage archivist Linda Chernis: linda.chernis@
in dialogue in affirming and inclusive wits.ac.za, +27 11 717 4239.
ways. Contact IAM’s director the Rev.
Judith Kotzée: judith@iam.org.za, +27 • Triangle Project: Triangle Project is
21 975 8142. a non-profit human rights organisa-
tion based in Cape Town that offers
• The Inner Circle: The Inner Circle, based professional services to ensure the full
in Cape Town, provides support to realization of constitutional and human
Muslims who are marginalized based rights for LGBTI persons, their partners
on their sexual orientation and gender and families. They offer sexual health
identity. The organization strives to raise clinics, counselling, support groups, a
consciousness around gender and sexual helpline, public education and training
diversity by engaging faith and beliefs services, community outreach, and a
• Uganda Media Women’s Association: • LGBTI Sey: LGBTI Sey works to provide
Uganda Media Women’s Association an open, safe, inclusive space and
(UMWA) is a human rights advocacy community committed to challenging
and service delivery NGO that helps sexism, genderism, homophobia, bi-
Ugandan women make informed phobia, transphobia and heterosexism
decisions by providing them access to in the Seychelles. Contact: lgbtisey@
information on rights. It also fights for gmail.com.
the rights of women working in media
• Centre for the Development of People:
and counters negative portrayals of
CEDEP is an organization based
women in local media. Contact: info@
in Malawi that works with media
umwamamafm.co.ug, +256 393 113
and religious leaders to defend the
848, +256 772 469 363.
welfare of marginalized communities,
• Kuchu Times: Kuchu Times is a media including prisoners, sex workers and
organization based in Kampala, Ugan- LGBTI people. Contact Gift Trapence:
da, that aims to provide a voice for directorcedep@yahoo.com.
Africa’s LGBTI community.
• National Lesbian and Gay Journal- • Gill Foundation: The Gill Foundation
ists Association (NLGJA): NLGJA is a is one of the United States’ leading
U.S.-based network for LGBT media funders of efforts to secure full equality
professionals and allies dedicated to for LGBT people. Contact Sara Santos:
the highest journalistic standards in the SaraS@gillfoundation.org, info@
coverage of LGBT issues. Contact ex- gillfoundation.org, grantsmanager@
ecutive director Adam Pawlos: adam@ gillfoundation.org, +1 303 292 4455,
nlgja.org, +1 202 588 9888. +1 888 530 4455.
• Arcus Foundation: The Arcus Founda- • Fund for Global Human Rights: The
tion is a charitable foundation focused Fund for Global Human Rights. The
on issues related to LGBT rights, social Fund has made recent grants to groups
justice and conservation. Contact working on LGBTI rights in Burundi,
Social Justice Program Vice President Democratic Republic of Congo,
TRAINER
AND SPEAKER
BIOGRAPHIES
A Reporting Guide for Journalists 123
Trainer and Speaker Biographies
BRIAN PELLOT:
DEBRA MASON:
SELLY THIAM:
LAYLA AL-ZUBAIDI:
MUHSIN HENDRICKS:
ECCLESIA DE LANGE:
TEBOHO KLAAS:
AZILA REISENBERGER:
ZETHU MATEBINI: