What makes a Homosexual?

                                                       

 

The role of the student as intrinsic to
eradicating homosexuality in Ghana

A report published in Nature Magazine, a scientific journal, in 2000 was an eye-opener for me on the controversial subject of homosexuality. A baby had been born with both male and female sexual organs, so doctors decided to remove the female organ which was less developed. The baby was thus made into a male although when he grew up it became obvious that he was, biologically, a female. This developed into a situation of acute gender confusion, and the person became a homosexual in his sexual orientation. Naturally, the doctors who performed the initial operation regretted their hasty action but that person had to live with its consequences for the rest of his/her life. This is not the sole “cause” of homosexuality but it must serve to persuade us to think about how we view homosexuals and their place in society.

The doctors in the report made a professional judgment which turned out to be inadvertently naive. They learnt from their mistake; they showed their remorse in the resolution that in subsequent situations, the individual would be allowed to grow with both organs until such age when it could be ascertained which gender hormone was predominant in the body, only then would a surgery be performed to correct the sex issue. I have cited the report, not because I’m an advocate for homosexuality, but because we always have genuine reasons to revisit our position on issues in life.  I stand for justice. My lesson from that report: I—like many others—assume wrongly that homosexuality is just a lifestyle; some have that lifestyle imposed on them. We do not know for sure what makes a person homosexual. Sadly, homophobes fail to factor such issue into their biases before they jump on the hate wagon. And Ghanaians have certainly joined that wagon.

The italicized inscription above is in a T-shirt designed by the Student Representative Council (SRC) in one tertiary institution in the country, for their campaign against homosexuality in Ghana. A female student wore one to my class though she could not explain the sentiment; neither could the other students though they are supporting the course. The students’ support for an issue they, apparently, do not understand has raised my apprehension, knowing the passion of the youth and how easily they could be inflamed. I wonder if our tertiary students can handle homosexual issues critically. I am not sure that they understand the complexities regarding homosexuality. They should, at least, analyze issues objectively before they assume a stand. The adult Ghanaian society must guide the youth to express disapproval without being homophobic. That would exhibit maturity.

But considering the rigid stance against homosexuality by majority of Ghanaians, it would be difficult to hope for any objectivity from the adult population--traditionalists, policy makers as well as the clergy. The latter’s argument is that the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed due to homosexual lifestyle and that God hates the practice. Of course, there is also the sub-argument that the practice is unacceptable in the Ghanaian culture. My response to the first argument is that God does hate homosexuality, but the same scripture that condemns it also condemns fornication, idol worship, adultery, stealing, greed, drunkenness, slander and extortion. According to 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, “all doing such have no share in the kingdom of God” (The Living Bible), so why are the clergy and other holier-than-thou people picking homosexuals for persecution? Several female students in tertiary institutions leave their names with hotels and taxi drivers so that they could be picked by males who desire sexual fun. Some male students even act as pimps. All such individuals commit fornication; is anybody trying to eradicate that practice? 

What about the numerous acts of adultery occurring in our society, even in the churches; are the pastors eradicating such activities? Are they themselves leading exemplary lives regarding such immoral practices? What about individual Ghanaians who are becoming pastors overnight so they can live on church collection, which these days gets donated in heavy amounts so the donors would be protected from the evil influence of the witches? What about the numerous females who are branded witches by church leaders? Last year, an elderly woman was accused of witchcraft—by a pastor--and burnt by the supposed victims, in the Greater Accra Region. Who defended her? Is anyone trying to eradicate such ludicrous backwardness from the nation? 

In spite of the harm being caused by the activities of charlatans parading as “men of God” in the country, recently when the mental bill was being discussed in parliament, the Member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, wanted the inclusion of such churches because he considers them mental health service providers. My immediate reaction was how do such victims get to be branded as mad and how do they get to the churches in the first place? Instead of advocating the eradication of gross human rights abuses being perpetrated by these church groups, the MP rather approves of their activities. My question has always been who protects the ordinary Ghanaian? What about “sakawa “ activities engaged in by a cross section of the youth of the country, tertiary students included, to enrich themselves overnight? What campaigns have been launched by various SRCs to eradicate extortion from the country? These days, student ingenuity is manifested in examination malpractices in our learning institutions; currently, some employers do not even trust the degrees awarded to graduates. In spite of the negative connotations, I am yet to witness any SRC initiate a campaign to eradicate or reduce examination malpractices. I could go on with the examples. Need I mention politicians who deceive the electorate with promises they never intend to fulfil, during election campaign? What about the mindless murder of Ghanaians on our roads through reckless driving, and allowing such behaviour to go unpunished? We are so pathetic at waste management that the country is engulfed by filth, because Ghanaians refuse to clean. Does Ghanaian culture endorse any of the atrocities listed above? From the Biblical perspective, all the practices mentioned above are just as morally wrong. Somebody please teach me Ghanaian culture because I know of only one. It is humane and practical, not perverse!

Whether Ghanaians accept it or not, homosexuality has always existed in the country, and is practiced by people from all walks of life. Some of these are people who have been trained by the nation; others are knowledgeable people who have so much to offer the nation in all productive sectors. Should they be ostracized or persecuted because of their lifestyle and allow their potential to be wasted? Other communities have been able to accept homosexuals because they are resourceful human beings and contribute to community development. That is where Prime Minister David Cameron and President Obama are coming from. The grants and aid England and United States (US) give to Ghana include taxes and donations from homosexuals. At least, Westerners are being practical. One can object to a lifestyle without hating the individuals who indulge in it. Acknowledging the humanity of homosexuals and respecting their rights does not imply adopting their lifestyle. Ghanaians should be able to make that distinction. Even Hollywood has reservations about homosexuality. Whilst the leaders mentioned above do not have the right to dictate to any nation, they certainly can help to unmask Ghanaian hypocrisy, which is what the noise about homosexuality really is. It is absolutely repulsive to close an eye to one wrongdoing and shine the beam full blast on others of the same magnitude. It is equally reprehensible to condemn an act but accept the benefits it offers. I wish England and the US would call Ghana’s bluff. That might compel leadership to sit down and govern--actually crack their brains, strategize and utilize national resources for national development. That is what they get elected for. 

For once Ghanaians should practice honesty and drop the superficiality which has become the hallmark of the nation. If people object to homosexual lifestyles mainly because of Christian sentiments, then they also know that condemnation really belongs to God and not to any human being. Only the creator has the moral right to set standards for humans; and in His own time, he would deal with those who disregard His moral standards. Until such time, let each of us work to better our own shortcomings and strive for moral excellence. Live and let live, for the world is big enough all. It takes all sorts of people to make up the world, another reality no one can ignore. I hate hypocrisy so if Ghanaians continue with this vicious hate campaign, then I repeat Jesus’ invitation: “[S]/he that is without sin among [us], let him[/her] first cast a stone at [the homosexuals]” (John 8:7: King James Bible).